92 



seeing the gaff with great strength, give in he 

 must at last by the gentle strain of the rod 

 that is always upon him. He often gets sulky, 

 and lies down on the bottom of the river, when 

 it will be found difficult to start him again : a 

 clearing ring let down the line on his nose will 

 cause him to run, and when he does so, it is 

 best to bear stronger upon him, as in so doing 

 you have the best chance of quickly tiring and 

 capturing him. I think it the best plan to lay the 

 gaff under him, and gaff him in the gills, which 

 prevents tearing or making a hole in the fish. 



The Salmon reel should be made of the 

 lightest and hardest material, not too much 

 contracted, but a good width, that the line 

 may be wound up evenly without incum- 

 brance; a plain upright handle is much the 

 safest when playing a fish, as the portable 

 ones are apt to crack or snap off if they meet 

 the least obstruction in the running out of the 

 line ; and the portable handle stands too far 

 out, which catches the line almost every time 

 it is drawn off or a cast given. Small reels 

 may be made with portable handles, without 

 any fear of their breaking, as tlie fish are 

 small and can be managed easily. 



