75 ANGLING. 



mou may also be taken by shrimps, limpets, snails, but 

 shrimps are valueless as baits unless in salt or brackish 

 water. Salmon are also taken by spinning the minnow 

 and partail. The process is the same as that described 

 in the chapters on Trolling and Spinning for Pike. 



Before I proceed, perhaps I had in this place better 

 cautioi? the tyro against the mischances likely to arise from 

 an awkward use of the gaff-hook. This ugly-looking im- 

 plement is, as before described, similar to a large fish-hook 

 fixed in a handle, varying, according to circumstances, from 

 IS inches to 4 feet in length. It is a useful implement 

 enough if skilfully managed, which is not always the case. 

 The spent fish should be brought to the side carefully, and 

 if it is not possible to bring him in to a shelving shore, to 

 the moit suitable place, and the gaff should be slipped 

 underneath the fish and carefully driven in beneath the 

 pectoral fin by a sharp plunge, if you cannot insert the 

 point beneath the gills. An excellent gaff is one which 

 shuts, and have a handle which screws into two pieces. 

 Such a one can be slung over the shoulder without dan- 

 ger, and is also useful for clearing weeds and other obstruc- 

 tions ii the way of line, bait, and hook. Those anglers 

 who reside, or are staying near the sea-shore, will find a 

 few suggestive hints for the employment of their time, and 

 the use of their bottom-tackle, in the chapter on Sea- 

 Fishing. 



