Fish and Fishing 



to the large hooks and lift them. Ouananiche 

 cannot be taken from the water without a net. 

 Mascalonge as well as salmon are nearly always 

 gaffed, or the mascalonge as well as pike are often 

 shot through the head with a bullet from a re- 

 volver. This I do not approve, being a step from 

 angling into hunting. In river fishing, or wading 

 rapid streams, if the sides are sloping, pebbly 

 shores, it is safer to lead the fish and pull it grad- 

 ually up the side from the water. If that is not 



possible, the net only is available. After 

 the Net * ne ^ s ^ * s thoroughly tired, reel up till 



the leader touches the tip ; then with the 

 right hand hold the net, holding the rod high 

 above the head with the left hand; work the fish 

 close in, nose facing the net, which is placed well 

 under the water; when the greater part of the fish 

 is above the net, scoop it up, at once releasing the 

 line strain. To extract the hook, while holding 

 net and rod, is difficult while standing in the 

 water, but with a little patience it can be done. 

 If possible, step on shore, for it saves time, as 

 everything can be laid down on dry land, and the 

 work done more quickly. 



When fly-fishing, the flies are sure to get en- 

 tangled in the net and extra trouble made to get 

 the kicking fish in the basket. Further details 

 how to use the net are given in "Landing Trout." 

 The same method is pursued with all other fish. 

 To gaff any large-sized fish pike, mascalonge, or 

 salmon it should never be attempted in very 

 shallow water, if it can be avoided. The gaffer 

 280 



