Village Squire, 1977-01, Page 21used to sew buttons on coats. We measured about tour times
the length of line we figured was needed and then the work of
constructing a fishing line began. The thread was folded into
three equal parts. On one end of the triple line one of dad's
heavy scissors was tied. This end we took downstairs, while
dad held the other end on top of the stairs. When we let go of
the scissors, the line began to spin because of the weight,
and lo and behold, a fishing line emerged.
The float we constructed from a common cork and a chicken
pin -feather. We drilled a hole in the cork, stuck our new line
through the hole and secured the line from sliding by sticking
the feather into the hole as well. After we had decided what
the best depth was to catch 'em, we simply made a hitch from
the line around the lower part of the pin -feather. Lead from a
tooth -paste tube served beautifully as a sinker. The only part
of our equipment that we bought was the hook.
Now we were all ready to sally forth and lure the dwellers of
the deep into our frying pan by way of our hook.
Right here begins my careers as a conservationist. After we
set out with mother's pail, a can of worms, a slice of bread for
dough balls. Our fishing gear and lots of confidence, we
settled down to catch bass or pike or whatever else there was
to be caught. Without fail 1 was the one who caught the
smallest fish or none at all. As I said, even if I didn't realize it
at the time, I had already started to be a conservationist,
however reluctant. Later in life I didn't falter. The only time
I did catch fish was a collective effort and I can't really claim
credit for the fish we caught.
This was at a time when I was a seaman in Indonesian
waters.
Our crew had picked up a new coastal vessel of 500 ton in
Portland. Oregon and sailed it across the Pacific Ocean in
early 1947. Once in Indonesia, we plied the coastal trade
between the beautiful islands of that great country.
To have some change of diet we fished. This was no
every -day fishing. No siree. First of all we stuck a fifteen foot
pole out from the side of the ship, about where the bridge
was. Through a pulley at the end of the pole we threaded a
stout line. We tied the line further to the pole with a light
cotton thread, so it couldn't slip through the hole. The end of
the fishing line was tied to the cord of the ship's horn. Now,
when a fish struck the hook, he broke the light thread, the
fishing line slipped through the pulley and pulled the cord of
the ship's horn.
Now, among seamen, it is well known that the smaller the
ship, the more gold -braid on the captain and the more sound
out of the horn. Ours was no exception. The sound was
deafening. Every time a fish struck, the officer of the watch
put the telegraph on half speed in order to give the cook an
opportunity to haul in the catch. There were trips where we
were fifty per cent of the time on half speed. How the captain
explained the slow time in the ships log I have never asked.
But. as I said before, I can't really claim credit for the
catch, so my rating as a conservationist was still intact.
Once, while at anchor before Tandjong Priok, the harbour
of Jakarta, we spotted sharks and since everyone knows how
greedy a shark is, we decided that this would be an easy one
to catch. The engine room fashioned a hook from one quarter
inch bar, welded a barb on the end and we were in business,
or so we thought. A stout line, a board for a float, the ship's
winch at the ready and we had nothing more to do than haul
him in, after he'd swallowed the hook of course. Nothing all
night. Nothing in the morning. So up comes the hook and we
found out that during the night, someone most likely a shark,
had straightened the hook. Okay buddy, if that's the way you
want it, we can play rough too. So back to the drawing board
and a heavier hook. Next night our board float went over the
side, it appeared that our luck had turned. Before long a shout
went up that we had a strike. The whole crew turned out to
witness the catching of a shark. Why do most people hate
sharks and snakes? I don't know, but it is a fact and our crew
was no exception.
•
N4. you will find harmonizing linens\
;- and accessories. FOR THE .BATH like
.. wooden turned towel bars, rings, soap
oo
1,k0( dishes, mirrored bath shelves and
I- cabinets, colour -matched shower
‘"• curtains and rugs.
\ FOR THE BEDROOM comforters and
matching sheets
THE
FEATHER
TICK
Linen & Bath Boutique
409 MAIN ST. EXETER 235-2957
.•
•
•,•
•;
FOR THE KITCHEN -linens, aprons,
unique wooden planters and spice -
racks
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!
i
•
1�s
.:jql
•
•
JrLiany Sale
Sale starts Jan. 1st
•••••••
Tremendous Savings
Be sure to check
our specials
•••••••••••••••••••••••
LARONES
Main Street,
Seaforth
WHERE SHOPPING
IS A PLEASURE
Village Squire/January 1977, 19