I found myself gathering string on the subject

I found myself gathering string on the subject,

その主題について情報を集めた

gether string で色々情報を集める、です。

The act of picking up seemingly unconnected facts, figures, and data that eventually support a thesis. For example, "Right now, I'm just gathering string. We'll see where it takes us later."

FInd myself で自分用に◯◯を集める、です。