PLATING A FISH. 



73 



Youthful anglers, or they of excitable temperament, 

 upon hooking a fish are apt to lose their heads from 

 anxiety to see him safe on the bank, and by this 

 feverish excitement frequently jeopardize their chance 

 of ultimate success. 



The man who has to use the gaflP for this description 

 of angler has often a roughish time of it, and will 

 probably be told that he has lost several opportunities 

 of gaffing, and that the angler himself could have 

 administered the stroke over and over again ; while 

 after these expressions, should perchance the fish get 

 oflpj woe betide the attendant, as the entire blame is 

 sure to lie with him. 



Taking it altogether, gaffing a fish for any other 

 than a good fisherman, who can keep cool, is a task to 

 be avoided; yet has frequently to be accepted, as no 

 sportsman would refuse such assistance to a brother 

 angler. 



In contrast to the excitable angler is he who thinks 

 he can safely hold conversation with others during the 

 hottest part of the fight; but he will soon learn a 

 lesson which will break him of the habit, and teach 

 him for the future to watch his fish all he knows. 



It is a very pretty sight to watch a fish nicely 

 handled for twenty minutes or more, and the young 

 angler cannot do better than avail himself of any such 

 opportunities, and so learn how to manage a fish with 

 confidence and self-command. 



Elsewhere than on the river-bank, the remark may 



