SALMON FISHING. 1 6$ 



in Salmon fishing, as it enables the fisherman to throw 

 his heavy fly more readily against the wind. The weight 

 s 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 

 gaff. 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 to acquire. Unskilful 

 gaffers make a sort of dive or snatch at a fish. 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 gaft^ 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 



