end of the net is fixed firm to a stake on edge
of the river,
whilst the other end is taken out in
a small boat towards the other side.
After getting
to the extent of it, the boat is rowed down the
river,
bringing the end of the net with it, and
at length it comes to land, a
little below the stake
to which the other end of the net is fastened,
forming a circular inclosure, within which the fish
are secured. As the net
approaches the bank of
the river, the fishes are seen struggling in all
di-
rections; till at last they are brought close to the
above, when
they are quickly gathered up, and
thrown into the boat. Several hundreds
are, at
times, taken at one draught; but as the fishing is
continued
through the night, during the season, the
farmers often think themselves
well paid with 20
or 30, as they weigh about 5 pounds each.
In the early part of the season, I think the shad
is nearly equal to trout.
Although the practice
of eating it at breakfast and supper, is not
com-
mon in England, I soon found myself very par-
tial to the shad at
breakfast, with coffee and toast,
it being first nicely broiled over the
hot embers of
a wood fire.