48 



my fore finger, they were perfectly secured. Those 

 who angle for salmon, and other such large fish, fre- 

 quently use what is called 



The Gaff, 



which is a piece of good pole, properly ash or yew, 

 about five feet long, at one end of which is a ferrol with 

 a female screw, to receive the male screw of a strong, 

 well-tempered, steel hook, as represented in Fig. 4, 

 Plate II. 



The fish, being brought under command, is drawn 

 within reach of the pole, when the hook being passed 

 under its belly, having the point of the bend uppermost, 

 with a smart pull the hook penetrates on the fish's oppo- 

 site side, and may thus be lifted out of the water. Some 

 gaff-hooks are made plain, like the hooks in common use 

 among butchers, and which are fixed up for the purpose 

 of hanging meat : others are made with barbs, and are 

 much like shark-hooks, with a screw at the butt, as 

 above described. 



Gaffs are, however, dangerous, and I have heard of 

 accidents occasioned by them. I formerly used one, but 

 did not find it answer so well as a net j unless with very 

 large jacks, and such like, when, no doubt, they are 

 more certain and effectual than a landing-net. 



The Clear ing -Ring. 



This is made of brass, or occasionally -of iron, and is 

 used when your line is foul among weeds, &c. for the 

 purpose of pulling up the impediment, if possible ; or, 

 when that cannot be done, of breaking your line as near 

 to the hook as you can effect. The clearing-ring is no- 

 thing 



