THE BIG SALMON AT MIDDLE CAMP 87 



and appreciated that he had been hooked in 

 the gills. 



The time came when the question of how 

 to gaff the fish had to be considered. I 

 cautioned my man to wait until I told him 

 to gaff for I felt that if he missed I would 

 lose the fish. 



I played the salmon until there was not 

 much kick left in him and then told my man 

 to gaff. 



We found the fish had taken the fly with 

 such gusto that it was imbedded deep down 

 in the gills. He must have lost at least a 

 pound of blood during his death struggles. 

 As it was he weighed 43 pounds, was 

 49 inches in length and 26^ inches in girth, 

 with a tail spread of 10 inches. Time, 20 

 minutes. 



He was a cock fish in prime condition, 

 whereas the 33-pound salmon I had taken 

 from the same hole was a female. They 

 were no doubt an affianced pair on a journey 

 to their Gretna Green. 



A keen observer will notice when he takes 



