IO4 The Confessions of a T'oacher. 



sharp click sends them into the soft under 

 parts of the fish, which is then dragged out. 

 As the pike, which is one of nature's poachers, 

 is injurious to our interests as well as those of 

 the angler, we never miss an opportunity of 

 treating him in the same summary manner. 

 Of course, poaching with click-hooks requires 

 to be done during the day, or by the aid of an 

 artificial light. Light attracts salmon just as it 

 attracts birds, and tar brands are frequently 

 used by poachers. A good, rough bulls-eye 

 lantern, to aid in spearing, can be made 

 from a disused salmon canister. A circular 

 hole should be made in the side, ^and a bit of 

 material tied over to hide the light when not in 

 use. Shooting is sometimes resorted to, but 

 for this class of poaching the habits and beats 

 of the water bailiffs require to be accurately 

 known. The method has the advantage of 

 quickness, and a gun in skilful hands and at 

 short distance may be used without injuring 

 the fleshy parts of the fish. That deadly bait, 

 salmon row, is now rarely used, the method of 

 preparing it being unknown to the younger 



