78 GAFF ESSENTIAL. [PART I. 
mended next the tail-fly, will be found advanta- 
geous, as it not only displays the flies to greater 
advantage, but keeps them nearer the bottom, 
where the heavier fish lie, while it enables you to 
keep the point of your rod much nearer the sur- 
face of the water, if not altogether clear of it. 
Care is however required when it is used, as the 
Lythe, when hooked, immediately run into the 
sea-weed, if they can, and thus often not only get 
off themselves, but cause serious damage to your 
tackle, which, for this reason, should be of extra 
strength. The swivel next the line will prevent 
the casting-line from becoming twisted, which will 
otherwise be invariably found to occur when fish 
are not taken in immediately, but pulled along for 
any time after the boat. To make the tackle per- 
fect, there should be a small swivel between each 
fly and the casting-line. 
It should be a standing rule never to go out 
Sea-fishing without a Gaff. If you also take with 
you a full-sized landing-net, so much the better. 
You can never tell what you may come across, and 
the Gaff may save you many a big fish, while the 
landing-net will be found a great assistance in 
enabling you to secure good ones,—such, for 
instance, as you would probably meet with many 
