36 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



may be speedily killed without allowing a great deal of water 

 to be disturbed, and by keeping such a tight line fish may be 

 landed into which the hook has not gone over the barb, 

 whereas if they had not been held in tight, the hook would 

 have dropped out. I need scarcely say that a fish, if small, 

 must be kept; if large, coaxed away from any obstacle. 

 Should he go to the bottom like a log, as large ones some- 

 times do, get bcloiu him if possible, and pull hard at him. If 

 this does not start him, pelt him with stones. This will 

 generally succeed, but sometimes more severe measures have 

 to be taken, as on the Usk, last season. A Salmon weighing 

 forty-two pounds, on being hooked, sank to the bottom, and 

 was only moved b}' a gallant colonel, who was present, strip- 

 ping and swimming in after it." 



Speaking of this habit of sulking, here is what Parker Gil- 

 more ("Ubique") has to say about it. I had rather quote 

 these two old worthies than to quote myself. He says: 



"Obtain the smallest hollow bangle procurable, having a 

 hinge at the back, and closing with a snap on the opposite 

 side. Have its inner surface perforated with numerous 

 holes, the outer surface with a few only, each to be about 

 the size of a No. i shot. Partly fill the interior of the bangle 

 with snuff or cayenne pepper. 



"Suppose, now, that the angler is fast in a fish which has 

 sulked. Place the bangle above the reel, around the rod and 

 line, pass it up till it goes over the tip of the top joint, when, 

 by raising the rod, and placing the strain on the line, the 

 bangle will at once descend to the hook. The action of the 

 water upon the snuff or pepper will be more than the delicate 

 mouth and nose of the Salmon can stand, so off he will g(^ 

 for other haunts. Stop the Salmon dare not now, for, when- 

 ever he stops, the pungent stuff makes itself felt. In fact, 

 the only possible relief to be obtained is by going, and go he 

 will, with the velocity of a greyhound with a kettle attached 

 to his tail." 



