Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7-35. Fishing line with float and weights.
Catching Fish by Hand
This takes patience, unless there are tons of fish, such as when the salmon are spawning. Wade
into the water and stand very still. Fish will often come up to your legs and nibble on your leg
hairs. Slowly lower your hands into the water and allow the fish to come near. Have your hands
near the bottom. If the fish is big, try to grasp the fish by the gills and throw it out of the water
onto the shore. If the fish is small, just try to scoop quickly and throw it onto the shore. Late in
the summer, in the High Sierra of California, friends of mine have fished like this to their
hearts' content when large numbers of fish were trapped in shrinking pools as creeks were run-
ning dry.
Spearing Fish
When fish congregate in shallow waters, spear fishing is relatively fast and easy. A barbed,
double-pronged, forked spear is far more effective at catching and holding fish than a single-
tipped spear. The addition of a central fork to make a trident spear increases efficiency and is
worth the extra effort. Fire-harden wooden tips by rotating them in a flame until they sizzle and
brown, but do not allow them to char. Check for hardness by creasing with your thumbnail.
