"Dumping Day"

The opening day of the season is sometimes called Dumping Day. No traps are hauled until the next day.
In the first half of the 20th Century, many fishermen in our area began their career in a small skiff with oars and a sail and muscle for hauling the traps up from the bottom. There is a big difference between then and now.
The little skiff is piled high with traps. He is ready to begin putting them in the water at exactly the right place. He has a small tub of loose rocks, or smooth, round beach stones for extra weight.
The wood traps have dried out over the summer and will float if not given extra weight. The trap has flat ballast stone built in, but it won't be enough until they soak up seawater and will sink on their own.
After a few days of hauling the fishermen would throw the beach rocks overboard.

It is a fine first day and he has left his 'oil clothes' on land. Although it is late fall and close to freezing temperatures, the hard work will keep him warm.
There is no visible compass. He can see the land and islands.

This is a Ceramic piece except for the rope and oars.

length - 14 inches width - 6 inches height - 7 inches
price - $150 Ca