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July 23, 1981 - Summer Fun SeiningSECOND SECTION The *Uffolh TtMC5 JULY 23, 1981 Summer Fun Seining We all have memories of when we were young -- some more important than others -- and I'm pretty sure it's these memories that help make us what we are today. Perhaps the memory of seining years ago is one of the reasons for my becoming so involved with the world around us. During the summer months, there was always an old seine net rolled up in the corner of our porch: If not there, it was spread out on the lawn to dry. The two poles that held the net were made out of discarded broom handles and the net itself looked as if it couldn't stand another haul. Nevertheless it worked for us and so off we'd go with it tucked under our arm, and an old pail in our hand to gather bait for fishing. It would be in August, for that's when the snappers would start to run. Snappers are actually baby blue fish and for their size they put up a good fight, particularly when light tackle is used... or in those days an old 25 cent bamboo pole. Those poles with a long - shanked hook and bobber and spear- ing for bait made a day's fishing a true Huck Finn adventure. Spearing, or silver - sides, as they are also called, travel in schools and if we were lucky enough to get a school in our net we'd have half a pail of bait in one haul. Sometimes we wouldn't be that lucky. For some reason the spearing would escape and we'd have to make haul after haul to fill our quota. It seemed I was always picked to haul the net, which meant going out into the deep water where you'd walk on tiptoes as the cool water got up around your belly. Then we'd make the big swing out and around and up on shore. Of course, the trick was to keep the net close to the bottom and bellowed in such a way as to keep the bait entrapped in the net. Once on shore the net was folded over, lifted free of the water and laid on the beach. Excitement of Seining Never Fades Now to see what treasures we'd caught! Even today after years of "hauling ", that first glimpse into the net brings an excitement that never fails. The wet net is spread open and there lies the catch of the day. The net is literally alive with action! The silversides dominate the catch. The silver band on their sides contrasts sharp- ly with their greenish bodies. By the handfuls, you scoop them up and put them into the waiting bucket that's been half filled with bay water. Now that the initial catch has been harvested, you have time to look at other specimens that have been gathered up. Squeals and calls of "Look out for the crab! " are heard as small blue claw crabs crawl away on the wet net, claws out- stretched and open to do battle with the nearest finger or hand. For some reason, we never gave it a thought that perhaps our bare feet might land on a crab while hauling. It never happened. Perhaps they were quicker and scurried out of our way as we shuffled along with our cumbersome net. We always seemed to have cuts some place or other on our feet, for bare feet were the dress of the bay. Sharp shells or debris left their mark on us. But that was the price you paid for going bare foot in the summer. Someone would grab a tiny inflated U,,,; @Gil M EQUIT(N blowfish that had blossomed into golfball size. How excited we'd be as we passed the prize around, its tight prickly belly kept inflated by each one scratching it. These little demons, I can remember, would nibble at your toes and legs when you went swimming. We haven't seen them around lately, but I've been told that the fisher- men are getting some nice -sized ones in their nets, and who knows, maybe the blowfish will return. Killies Always Part of the Catch We'd hardly ever make a haul that we didn't get a mess of killies mingled in with the other fish. These chubby little fish never seemed to appeal to the snappers as bait and so usually we quickly tossed them back. Sometimes they'd be saved for eel bait, or once in a while we'd keep a few for an aquarium. They seemed to live longer and be more rugged than any of the other salt water fish, I know those that were kept always lived longer than the shiners in the pail, and if we weren't going to take them home their reward was to be dumped overboard alive at the end of the day. Pipefish, those long and somewhat rigid looking, stick -like fish would usually be found in our nets. Long and thin and closely related to the seahorse, they were picked up and examined closely. Their seahorselike heads and rigid bodies brought comments of "Look at this!" or "What do you think of this guy ?" Some of these pipefish would be six inches or more in length, while others might be tiny wriggling two or three inchers. Often we'd find one with a large egg mass attached to its belly. They were never used for anything, and like the killies were soon tossed back into the water after being passed around for everyone to see. Clinging to the net would be globs of the harmless comb jellies, the same ones that glow at night. When we'd go swimming at night, little ones would roll off your body when you stood up giving an eery lumin- escence I can still remember. These globs of jelly were the choice of the boys to grab hold of and fling at the girls. Summer fun, I guess you'd call it. We'd soon lose interest and be back at the net checking our treasures. Sometimes we'd get a real stinging jellyfish, which would dampen everyone's spirit, particularly the ones who had to get in the water and make the haul. About that time all would agree we could get along with the bait we had. Surprises Add to the Day Then there were the surprises: small flat shiny bunkers -- or perhaps a baby weakfish -- or baby kingfish -- or flounder. Then once in a while we'd actually catch a snapper or two, or a snapping sand crab. Perhaps even an eel. There was always something new to be seen and examined. Seining was a summer event. Usually it was for bait early in the morning for SEINING -- Discovering the bay's treasures while seining. File photo snapper fishing later that day. But today there is more and more interest in the world around us by young and old alike and seining has become a field trip in itself. Over the years I've taken many groups out with the seine net just as we did in those early days of my youth. No matter whether it's an old spider crab or a pailful of thrashing bait, all seem to enjoy the experience of discovery. For those who have young ones about, I can think of no better summer gift than a seine net. Perhaps you, too, will have a tattered net standing in the corner of your porch some day. If you do I can assure you it will mean that there's been excitement and joy for those who used it. The bay is a treasure chest of living things just waiting to be discovered. PAUL STOUTENBURGH "Suzy "makes small closets big. n 430 0 pace. 415 ROANOKE AVE. RIVERHEAD, NY 11901 (516) 727 -2430 (516) 475 -0914 CUSTOM CHAROS SOUND EASTERN L.1.'s LARGEST AUDIO -VIDEO SPECIALISTS I ; \ 28 Cameron St. ( just off Main St. ) Southampton 2834428 AT CHARO'S A WORLDOFCULTURE EVERYTHING'S AFFORDABLE Sales /Service Portable Radios & Cassettes - Stereo Components - Auto Sound Systems - TV's - Audio Accessories Over 50 Major Brands Large Screen Projection T.V. — Video Recorders VHS MOVIES Available for Rent SEINING -- Discovering the bay's treasures while seining. File photo snapper fishing later that day. But today there is more and more interest in the world around us by young and old alike and seining has become a field trip in itself. Over the years I've taken many groups out with the seine net just as we did in those early days of my youth. No matter whether it's an old spider crab or a pailful of thrashing bait, all seem to enjoy the experience of discovery. For those who have young ones about, I can think of no better summer gift than a seine net. Perhaps you, too, will have a tattered net standing in the corner of your porch some day. If you do I can assure you it will mean that there's been excitement and joy for those who used it. The bay is a treasure chest of living things just waiting to be discovered. PAUL STOUTENBURGH "Suzy "makes small closets big. n 430 0 pace. 415 ROANOKE AVE. RIVERHEAD, NY 11901 (516) 727 -2430 (516) 475 -0914