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Poacher tells his secrets
THE working life of the salmon poacher and his use of the drag tackle on the River South Esk was revealed in the Brechin Advertiser of May 12, 1942.
"Geordie was a well-known Brechin salmon poacher frequenting the lower reaches of the South Esk east of the town. Of this three miles stretch of "Middle Bankie" waters, Geordie knew every pool where a salmon may be found, resting on its journey up the Esk.
"And this part of the river happens to be one of the most beautiful spots on the waterside. To see the flora growing on the "Middle Bankie" is a pictured of summer loveliness that few places can ever surpass.
"Smoking his well-seasoned clay pipe, and accompanied by his fox-terrier dog, Geordie could be seen making his way to the Middle Bankie, by way of the Little Dens, which were entered off Montrose Road at East Toll, and arriving at the lade-side he would cross to the Middle Banks over stepping stones, if the lade was "off".
"But if the lade was "on," crossing by the stepping stones was impossible, because the stones were then covered by four feet deep of swift running water, and in that case the lade would have to be crossed by the bridges at the East Bleachfield.
Watchdog
"Geordie's fox-terrier dog played a no mean part in the art of salmon poaching, as it was trained to warn him of any approaching adult. The dog would keep a look-out from a distance; and if it was suspicious of any man approaching, it at once returned to Geordie quietly, for it never gave the alarm by barking.
"Have you ever seen a salmon poacher taking a fish from the river with his tackle? If you have not, this is how it is done. Firstly, let me tell you that this poacher Geordie we write of lived in the good old days before the Great War of 1914-18.
"Many a time we had watched with interest, this poacher hook a salmon with his "drag" tackle. The "drag" consists of three large fishing hooks (hooks normally used in deep sea fishing), the upper ends of the hooks are tightly bound to a lead sinker, and the whole attached to a strong, dark coloured cod-line. And in the hands of this poacher few fish escaped the barbed hooks of the "drag"!
"Geordie, still puffing at his clay pipe, arrives at the river side, and with keen eyes he starts observations of the pools where a salmon might be resting. Having observed a prospective victim, he would at once send his dog out along the bank, so as to make sure the coast was clear.
"He had to be careful, especially if it was a dead fish, as the "water baillies" were not above setting a trap to catch poachers by putting a dead salmon into a pool to bait a poacher.
"Assured that all is well, Geordie prepares to hook his victim. From his "poacher's pocket" he brings out the "drag" tackle, unwinds a length of line ready for the throw. Ascertaining the distance the fish is from the bank, he throws out his drag, which must drop into the water a good few feet to the off-side of the fish, so as not to frighten it away.
"After waiting the result of the throw he pulls in the line hand over hand, at the same time guiding the drag nearer to the fish.
"The salmon may shift a little within a few seconds, but Geordie has allowed for this happening, and so guides the drag according to the move. The final pull on the drag is made in a skilful manner, as Geordie very seldom lost a fish.
Taking the bait
"He's got it! The hooks find the flesh of the salmon, there is no getting away now. The salmon makes a mad dash hither and thither, lashing the water with its body, and tainting the water with its blood; all this time Geordie pays out line, and then some more, to sicken his victim.
"Finally the fish gives up, and slowly it is pulled towards the bank. Now out of the water, it makes a last attempt to get away, but a whack over the head with a heavy piece of branch soon puts an end to its life.
"The Poacher's Pocket is a handy compartment to his complement, for it conceals his illegal fishing tackle the drag; and after the fish is taken from the water it is put into this pocket, and to the unobservant eye no suspicious bulkiness show's up.
"So, after Geordie cleaned up the tell-tale marks of his exploits, he put the salmon into this special made pocket. Pleased with his catch, he set course for home, and then to seek out a buyer. He knew where to market his catch.
"As his catch was illegal, he had to dispose of it at a cheap rate; but as long as he got a fair price which would bring him a "nip" and a "schooner" or two and a bit of tobacco he was satisfied. And he could always go back to the "Middle Bankie" waters! The risk was worth it.
"In his early days he had been too careless. Many a time in his hurry to escape capture by the "water baillies" he had crossed the Esk, and even the swift lade, to get away. He was young then. Too many soakings brought on rheumatism, which was telling on him as the fifties were nearing. It was about then he started to train dogs to assist him in his poaching exploits.
"Poor Geordie, he is gone. And it would be nice to think of him (like as the Red Indian thinks) that he has gone to the "Happy Hunting Grounds."
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Weather for Brechin
Thursday 09 February 2012
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