SALMON FISHING loi 



by the fisherman taking absolute command of a nervous or 

 ignorant gaffer. 



Should the pool have a shelving beach of sand or shingle, 

 then, as soon as the fish is exhausted, step back some twenty 

 yards from the water, ordering the gillie to keep in the 

 rear, when with a little coaxing the fish will allow itself to be 

 hauled into shallow water ; as it grounds it will begin to 

 splash and turn on its side, and then, if a gentle strain be 

 kept up, it will soon kick itself ashore, when the gillie can go 

 quietly forward and tail it. 



Should the angler be alone, as soon as the fish is lying 

 on the bank with tail clear of the water, he can lay the rod 

 down with a nearly tight line and the reel handle uppermost, 

 and go down and lift it out for himself; in doing this, a slight 

 detour should be made, so as to avoid walking straight to 

 the head of the fish, while also the first grip should be a good 

 one, for as soon as handled, kicking will commence with all 

 the life that is left. A small fish is naturally more difficult 

 to hold than a large one, as the tail of the former offers but 

 a small grasp to the hand. 



In this way we have landed hundreds of fish, and believe 

 it is quite as quick as gaffing, certainly more so than one 

 would be with an unskilled attendant, while it has the advan- 

 tage of not spoiling any part of the fish for the table. \ 



Even where the water is deep to the banks, fish can be" 

 landed in this manner, but of course it takes a longer tirrife ' 

 than where there is a shelving bank, as the fish now has to 

 be played till he is utterly and entirely exhausted. 



If the angler wishes a fish to be gaffed, and knows his 

 attendant is not a great hand at the process, he will do well 

 to call him behind, and keep him there till the fight is virtually 

 over. When that time arrives, select the easiest-looking place 

 for gaffing and point it out to the gillie ; then lead the fish 

 away from it, head up stream, and as soon as it can no longer 

 see the chosen place, send the gillie to the spot, make him 



