SALMON FISHING WITH THE FLY. 245 



far as is possible and then pull him down with a run ; if this 

 can be repeated two or three times, he will generally give in. 



There is another way of playing a fish that is stubborn : the 

 rod is laid down on the bank, and the fish is hand-played, and, 

 although it does not seem a very sportsmanlike method of pro- 

 ceeding, it is astonishing how quickly a fish will give in when 

 thus treated. I have seen fish that have been played half an 

 hour, showing no signs of giving in, landed in a couple of 

 minutes by hand-playing them. This is a common practice 

 on the Aberdeenshire Dee, particularly during the spring 

 months, when the spent fish, which run to a large size, get 

 recruited, give the angler a great deal of trouble, and waste a 

 great deal of valuable time in bringing them to bank. 



GAFFING AND LANDING A FISH. 



There is a great art in bringing a salmon to the gaff. It 

 should never be attempted in very shallow water if it can 

 be avoided. The gaffer should always keep a little below 

 where he expects the fish will be brought towards the bank, 

 and wherever he places himself he should remain stationary, 

 in a stooping position, with the gaff ready for action. Should 

 he move about the fish will probably get sight of him, and if 

 he does the chances are he will make a run out into mid-stream, 

 and will not allow himself to be brought within reach of the 

 gaff until he is quite exhausted, fighting it out to the bitter 

 end. What the angler has to do is to wait until the fish is 

 quiet, and if he can get his nose above the water bring him in 

 with a run to the gaffer, who will seize the opportunity, give 

 one clip, and all is over with him. On no account should he 

 attempt to put the gaff in should the fish commence to struggle, 

 but wait patiently until he is quiet again. A fish will often be 

 brought within reach of the gaff over and over again, and just as 

 the gaffer is about to strike him he commences to struggle. This 

 is a trying time for the man who is playing him, but he must 

 not, as is often the case, lose his temper and abuse the gaffer, for 



