GAFFING 209 



fish, and keeping him away from the dangers of the 

 river, and, finally, in order to bring him out into the 

 most convenient back-water or quiet pool. Keep as 

 much strain on your line as is safe, but do not frighten 

 a salmon down-stream into dangerous water by being 

 rough. If a fish sulks get below him and try a fresh 

 strain on the rod. 



GAFFING 



Always, if possible, take a gillie or local authority 

 when first fishing a salmon river, and it is most 

 probable, therefore, that when bringing in your first 

 salmon you will have some one with you to gaff your 

 fish ; but if not, keep at your fish until you have him 

 beaten. Get into the water, bring your rod up over- 

 head and backward with your left hand, handle straight 

 up, and as you draw your fish in towards you slip the 

 gaff quietly over his back, point sideways, just before 

 the dorsal fin, turn the point right down, and with 

 one strong and determined pull bring the point into 

 his side, and drag the fish to the shore. 



Never, never under any circumstances attempt to 

 take your lure from the mouth of the salmon until 

 he has received his most complete quietus i.e., until 

 the salmon is incapable of motion. Place your rod 

 carefully in some safe position, and, using the lancet 

 in the disgorger of your knife, liberate each hook from 

 the flesh. Keep the mouth of the fish open with 

 the butt of your priest while doing this ; then weigh 



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