Fishing from the earliest times - Blog

GORGES VERSUS HOOKS 33time the hook supersedes the gorge, to which it is superior inseveral respects, not least in ease and speed of extraction froma fish when landed.Small bone rods tapering towards both ends, and sometimesgrooved in the middle probably for attachment of a line, formthe gorges of the Caves, Their descendants or kinsmen foundall the world over vary in shape and material. But whetherfashioned of bone, or flake of flint, or of turtle-shell, with cocoanut used as trimmers, whether straight or curved at the ends,the purpose and operation of one and all is the same—to beswallowed (buried in bait) by the fish end first. The tighteningof the line soon alters this position into one crosswise in thestomach or gullet. Even at the present time in some partsof England the needle, buried in a worm when " sniggling "for eels,works successfully in similar fashion.It is not possible here to discuss fully the various materialsand shapes of the first Hook proper. This (according to mycreation developedview) Neolithic, certainly post-Palaeohthic, 1doubtless from the over-education of fish,a complaint possiblyas rife then as in our own day.No writer, despite zealous endeavours, has succeeded indetermining which material—stone (rarely found), bone, shell,or thorn 2 —was first employed for the purpose. On that whichlay readiest would probably be essayed the prentice hand ofeach particular race. To dwellers near the shore the largesupply and easy adaptability of shells would of a surety appeal.These could be fashioned so as to be used alone, or lashedwith fibre to a piece of wood or bone so as to form the bend,while the wood or bone constituted the shank of the hook.3^ Sanchouniathon, as translated by Philo of Byblus, ap. Euseb., Praep. Ev.i. 10, 9, in what purports to be a Phoenician account, would bring the inventionright down to the Iron Age. " Many generations later Agreus and Halieussprang from the stock of Hypsouranios. They were the discoverers of huntingand fishing, hunters and fishers being called after them. From these in turnsprang two brothers, inventors of iron and iron-working. One of thesebrothers, Chrysor, practised spells and charms and oracles. He is Hephaistos,and he it is who invented hook and bait and line and boat, being the first ofall men to set sail. Wherefore also they worshipped him as a god after hisdeath, and named him Zeus Meilfchios."2 E. Krause, op. cit., 208, holds that the most primitive hook was made ofwood : bind a thorn or sprig crossways and your hook is to hand.» H. T, Sheringham holds that both early and recent specimens of Fijian