230 FLY FISHING 



alone, and never is this enjoyed more than when 

 it is possible in salmon fishing. Unfortunately 

 the conditions of salmon fishing make the con- 

 stant assistance or advice of an attendant often 

 indispensable. It is so when a boat has to be 

 used, when the angler does not know the river, 

 or when he has a reasonable expectation of landing 

 more fish than he can carry home. There is, 

 however, no more exhilarating experience, than 

 when an angler, relying entirely upon his own 

 knowledge and judgment, has risen and hooked 

 a salmon, and has to face the struggle alone 

 without the possibility of assistance of any kind. 

 For these occasions at any season of the year, 

 when it is lawful, the angler who is alone 

 should carry a gaff. Sir Herbert Maxwell 

 describes in his book an arrangement for doing 

 this, which I shall take the next opportunity of 

 trying, for my experience hitherto has been that 

 gaffs which are convenient to carry are not con- 

 venient to use, and those which are most effective 

 in use are most awkward to carry. It takes 

 longer to bring a salmon within reach of a gaff 

 in one's own hand than it does to have it gaffed 

 by an attendant ; but if the hold of the hook is 



