THE SALMON FAMILY. 269 



which in so short a time would return to the same spot 

 almost doubled in size and trebled in value. 



Whilst descending to the sea in the spring months 

 Kelts are a great annoyance to anglers, as at this time they 

 are ravenous for food, rising greedily at any sort of fly, 

 and, though not so strong and obstinate as clean fish, often 

 taking up more time in landing than can conveniently be 

 spared. No one should, however, be permitted on any 

 pretence to kill or keep such fish ; and anglers using the 

 gaff in their capture should be proceeded against with the 

 utmost rigour *. 



* The following question and answer on this subject recently ap- 

 peared in the l Field ' : 



"Killing unclean Salmon, In the full season, with fair rod and 

 line, a person hooks a salmon his attendant gaffs it and, on being 

 landed, it proves to be a kelt, or old fish. Is the person, under such 

 circumstances, liable to a penalty for killing an unseasonable fish ? 

 If lie is liable, it must be always necessary to land your salmon with a 

 large unwieldy net, and the handy little gaff can be of very little use j 

 for it is to be presumed that very few people can distinguish between 

 a kelt and a fresh-run salmon until they have landed him. The gaff, 

 of course, always kills the fish. CONSTANT READER,. [The angler is 

 unquestionably liable. ED.] " 



A further communication subsequently appeared in the same paper. 

 The facts referred to are well worthy of the attention of salmon-fishers. 



" The Use of the Gaff. I would beg to call the attention of all true 

 salmon-anglers to the necessity which exists for some legal provision 

 against the use of the gaff in the early part of the season : there is 

 such, I believe, in the Tweed Act. To prove this, I would mention 

 that I have been out three times with the rod this season on two 

 small rivers hereabouts, and landed nine large salmon, every one of 

 them spent fish. Using a large landing-net, these fish were returned 

 to the river unhurt ; but had they been gaffed, nine fine fish would 

 have been lost to all intents and purposes. I have heard since of some 



