ANGLING FOR THE OCTOPUS.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 4, 17 January 1905, Page 2

ANGLING FOR THE OCTOPUS.

Cbe Balft S_ • Piece ot White Cloth Tied' on a Hook. "It is no trick to catch them. They are pulled out with hook and line fron: the deep waters of the sound, just like fish, and are found on the rock,, bottoms of the fishing banks," said t Seattle fisherman to a Press-Times reporter. "Look at this," continued Nick, raising the slimy- mass of legs and pointing to a perfect counterpart of a parrot.'; black beak. "That's it's mouth. J usi like a parrot's, only much larger and more powerfuL When once. those. jaws fasten oa the bait they never let gc until landed on the deck of the boat. "No; they ... seldom give us mncl trouble. That is part of a Greek fisher man's early education. Experience has taught the men how to handle l.hunsafely. The only care necessary is tc prevent their fastening their suckers on the sides and bottom of the boat If, by accident or carelessness, thc_ should succeed in doing so the octopusis safe, for the suction of those cuplikt J disks is so great that nothing but tin knife can dislodge them, and, as thej can't be reached, they get away. J "The men know by the weight on the 1 me and its action when an octopus is hooked. Then, by means of poles, the line is kept away from the boat, and, watching a favorable opportunity with the assistance of boat hooks the .fellow is suddenly yanked on boarc jarid left to thrash its life away or 'deck. Of course the men have learnec td keep carefully out of" reach of its tentacles. "On a clear day and in. clear weathei one can see an octopus at great depths Their bodies usually lie hidden undei shelving rocks, leaving only one 01 more of those long feelers visible, moving cautiously back and forth. Bj .1 baiting a hook- with a white rag anr , dropping it close by, it is fun to watch their movements. They pretend not U see the bait, believing it ia a living prey. "They will advance their feelers inch by inch, and gradually their body and retreat again, as if to draw on the intended victim. Playingthe bait bad • and forth excites their cupidity, anc when satisfied of the result the beasi mal.es a spring for the bait that, foi lightning-like rapidity, beats anything, on record. Of course it fastens it; razor-like, double-back-action beak iut< the rag and holds on like grim death allowing itself to be pulled out of tht water rather than let go."