BA G AND BA SKE T. 19 



petrated by which I have in vain endeavoured to 

 instil into Mr Frank Buckland's mind. It is 

 the main instrument of poaching in the Welsh 

 rivers, and without it the poacher's occupation 

 would be gone. A barbed gaff spoils the fish, and 

 no true sportsman would think of using one. 

 " Delenda est" The handle of the gaff should be 

 four feet long, not too heavy or stiff, and in some 

 degree elastic ; the great secret in using it is to 

 pass it under the fish, not to be in a hurry, to make 

 sure of your stroke, and never to relax your hold. 



Bag and Basket. Waterproof bags have come 

 into fashion of late years. They are most useful 

 articles, but should supplement, and not supersede, 

 the basket. They are essentially nasty things as 

 receptacles for fish ; the fish soon spoil, and they 

 impart a vengeful smell, which water will not wash 

 away. The best bags I know are made by Mr 

 Woolgar of Ludgate Hill. They have, or ought to 

 have, three smaller pockets inside, in which to de- 

 posit your pipe and tobacco, cigar-case, flask, knife, 

 note-book, and other trifles ; the bag itself accom- 

 modating your lunch, your sketch-book, a copy of 

 " Thames and Tweed," " Flood, Field, and Forest/' 

 or some other readable book, wherewith to wile 

 away any non-fishing hours of the day. 



The fisherman's basket requires no special de- 



