78 GAFF ESSENTIAL. [PART I. 



mended next the tail-fly, will be found advanta- 

 geous, as it not only displays the flies to greater 

 advantage, but keeps them nearer the bottom, 

 where the heavier fish lie, while it enables you to 

 keep the point of your rod much nearer the sur- 

 face of the water, if not altogether clear of it. 

 Care is however required when it is used, as the 

 Lythe, when hooked, immediately run into the 

 sea- weed, if they can, and thus often not only get 

 off themselves, but cause serious damage to your 

 tackle, which, for this reason, should be of extra 

 strength. The swivel next the line will prevent 

 the casting-line from becoming twisted, which will 

 otherwise be invariably found to occur when fish 

 are not taken in immediately, but pulled along for 

 any time after the boat. To make the tackle per- 

 fect, there should be a small swivel between each 

 fly and the casting-line. 



It should be a standing rule never to go out 

 Sea-fishing without a Gaff. If you also take with 

 you a full-sized landing-net, so much the better. 

 You can never tell what you may come across, and 

 the Gaff may save you many a big fish, while the 

 landing-net will be found a great assistance in 

 enabling you to secure good ones, such, for 

 instance, as you would probably meet with many 



