214 REELS, GAFFS, AND BAIT TRAY. 



For travellers, a couple of Hake hooks (the largest shown 

 in the engraving of hooks, fig. 63,) will be found the most con- 

 venient, but be mindful of filing off the barbs before leaving 

 home. One of these may with some waxed twine be speedily 

 lashed on to any odd stick. 



Landing-Net. A landing-net is generally much more con- 

 venient than a gaff, particularly with fish of moderate size, yet 

 too large to lift out by the line only. A good form for rough 

 boat-work may be made with a piece of galvanised iron wire, 

 the thickness of a pencil and 5 feet long. Five inches at each 

 end should be turned at right angles, and the middle bent into 

 a circle which will be about 16 inches in diameter. Bind each 

 end separately with twine well waxed, then take a few turns 

 round the two ends together, and then lash them securely with 

 stout fishing-line to an ash stick 3 feet long. If tied on without 

 this precaution, the ends of the iron will be always slipping and 

 coming loose. The net itself should be made of salmon twine, 

 on a mesh full two inches round, which will give knots one inch 

 apart. Begin with 60 stitches, when about 20 inches deep 

 reduce the number of stitches, by netting every 5th and 6th 

 stitches in the row into one ; this will bring the number to 50 ; 

 net two plain rows, and in the next row net every 4th and 5th 

 stitches together, and after two more plain rows every 3rd and 

 4th together ; after one more plain row all the rest of the stitches 

 may be drawn together and tied securely. 



This net may be stiffened by soaking it before lashing to the 

 ring in a mixture of one part coal-tar and two parts turpentine. 

 A little of the same mixture should also be applied to the lash- 

 ing on the handle. 



The net is preferable to a gaff when two persons are in the 

 boat, as one can assist the other, but if alone, the gaff is handier, 

 as you can haul the line, and hold the gaff in the right hand at 

 the same time as soon as the fish comes near the boat. 



The Bait Tray (fig. 64 b). This is a very useful adjunct to 

 boat-fishing, and a great assistance in keeping a boat clean, 

 especially when ground-fishing, as the bait, consisting of 

 Mussels, Lug- Worms, or pieces of Mackerel, Pilchards, &c., 

 can be conveniently kept thereon and cut up as required. 



