Men Jigging Fish

Description

“Men Jigging Fish” by Harold Qarliksaq – Inuit Art from Baker Lake 1978 print collection presented by DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts

Condition: No condition to note.

Description by Artist: No description by artist found.

Notes from DaVic Gallery: Last print available and best print number #50 of 50

Fishing for lake trout Inuit would need to first cut and dig through one or two feet of snow before finding the ice layer above the lake water. They would then chip away into the ice one or two feet to create a fishing hole. Once the hole is chipped, the men scoop out loose ice from the surface until the water hole is clear of ice. It is at this point they would sink their bait into the hole, or bright ivory tusks when no bait is available, and begin jigging motion until enough fish is caught. They would use their fishing spear to catch fish coming near. Fishing could take many hours of work and often need to setup a temporary camp in the area nearby.

In this print we see these men have caught seven fish at that moment and likely they will need more to bring to their families that could be waiting in the fishing camp or back in their village. One the men uses a jigging line while the other man uses a fishing spear.

Watch this short documentary of a Netsilik family jigging for fish in a frozen lake.

Jigging for Lake Trout by Quentin Brown, National Film Board of Canada

Spring fishing;  Fishing at Ingalik;   Inuksuit Mark Our Fishing Lake;  Yummy Fish;