SALMON FISHING. 165 
in Salmon fishing, as it enables the fisherman to throw 
his heavy fly more readily against the wind. The weight 
is in fact also an advantage in other respects. The ordi- 
nary eight-plait dressed silk line, or the spun cotton line 
described in the chapter on tackle (pp. 26-7) will be 
found the best, the latter being about one-third of the 
price of the former. 
THE GAFF. 
A straight sharp point is the only real essential in a 
eaff. All other matters are comparatively unimportant. 
As the gaff has always to be carried by an attendant, 
one with a 6 or 7 foot solid handle is most convenient. 
In gaffing a Salmon there is an art which needs some 
little practice and presence of mind toacquire. Unskilful 
gaffers make a sort of dive or snatch at afish. The 
proper plan, on the contrary, is cautiously but quickly 
to lower the gaff until the point nearly, but not quite, 
touches the fish’s opposite side below the shoulder, and 
then give it a sharp, sudden jerk (not stroke) inwards, 
which drives it home. Snatching, diving, and striking 
at Salmon with the gaff result in frequent hitchings of 
the line, and abortive scratches and cuts being inflicted 
on the fish, which, though impotent for purposes of 
capture, yet produce sufficient smart to frighten him 
into a final and despairing rush, which is frequently 
fatal—I mean to the basket. So obstinately stupid on 
this point are often even professional attendants, that I 
