GAFF-KNIFE, SAW, ETC. 243 



use myself, is made with a barb at the point, and exactly 

 resembles an immense round-bend fish-hook : hence if 

 ever it is struck into a fish beyond the barb, all chance of 

 escape is impossible. Some improved gaffs have a sharp 

 cutting blade attached to them, which opens to an acute 

 angle only, and is used to cut away any weeds or twigs 

 which may happen to foul the line ; a contrivance which 

 is occasionally very useful. This gaff is made to screw 

 at pleasure into a brass socket fixed upon one end of a 

 hollow bamboo shaft, capped also with a brass cap 

 screwed upon the other end. In this receptacle a pair 

 of extra tops to the rod can be most conveniently carried 

 if desired, if the butt of the rod itself is not bored for 

 the purpose. I will here suggest to the natty sportsman, 

 that a small strong double-toothed saw, made expressly 

 for cutting green wood, and fitting into the screw of the 

 gaff-handle, would be a most useful auxiliary on woody 

 waters, for the purpose of cutting down any branch of a 

 tree overhead, too thick for the gaff-knife, and upon 

 which the line may happen to get entangled, as I have 

 often seen the case. The saw may be safely carried in 

 a stout leather sheath or case, when not in use. 



As a receptacle for the spoil, the angler will find 

 a large bag of Macintosh cloth, or fustian lined with 

 oil-cloth, wide in dimensions, but not too deep, a much 

 more convenient appendage than a wicker creel as 

 the latter must be made inconveniently large to contain 

 such bulky fish as either the salmon or eriox. An 

 attendant to carry both gaff and fish-bag will be almost 

 indispensable, as it will be impossible for the fisher to 



