The Confessions of a ''Poacher. 103 



things they are the most difficult to carry. The 

 best water bailiffs are those who are least seen, 

 or who watch from a distance. So as to save 

 sudden surprise, and to give timely warning 

 of the approach of watchers, one of the 

 poaching party should always command the 

 land from a tree top. 



The flesh of spawning fish is loose and watery, 

 Insipid and tasteless, and rarely brings more 

 than a few pence per pound. In an out-lying 

 hamlet known to me, poached salmon, during 

 last close time, was so common that the cottagers 

 fed their poultry upon it through the winter. 

 Several fish were killed each over 20 Ibs. in 

 weight. Than netting, another way of securing 

 salmon and trout from the spawning redds is by 

 " click" hooks. These are simply large salmon 

 hooks bound shaft to shaft and attached to a 

 long cord ; a bit of lead balances them and 

 adds weight. These are used in the "dubs" 

 when spearing by wading is impracticable. 

 When a salmon is seen the hooks are simply 

 thrown beyond it, then gently dragged until 

 they come immediately beneath ; when a 



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