FLORIDA AND THE WEST INDIES 117 



it, except its size, is merely a great hook fastened 

 in a 6-ft. ash pole. With it the guide has to 

 wade in the shallows and secure the fish as it 

 dashes past him, or as the fisherman brings it 

 exhausted to his feet. The latter is the legitimate 

 use of the gaff, but so eager is everyone to get 

 back to the grounds and kill a heavier fish than 

 the last that candour compels the admission that 

 few tarpon are played to a finish. Gaffing is the 

 one weak point of the guides, but the same might 

 be said of many ghillies at home. Either they get 

 excited and stab the fish, goading it to desperation 

 at a critical moment, or else they miss it altogether. 

 In many cases they damage it beyond all chance of 

 recovery in the hands of the taxidermist. Then, 

 quite unexpectedly, they will give you an exhibition 

 of a brilliant piece of gaffing that only makes their 

 mistakes the more remarkable. The target is a 

 big one, and it is a pity that all of them, white and 

 coloured alike, cannot acquire greater skill. 



