THE SALMON. 105 



him off the gaff. To prevent this, where you anticipate 

 finding only awkward aids, it is well to carry a gaff with 

 a small barb, like an ordinary hook. I have had the 

 indescribable pleasure of seeing my fish flung across 

 the boat, and dropped in the water on the other side. 

 The moment the fish is struck, the handle should be held 

 perpendicular, so that he cannot flounce off. 



The best size for this implement is a length of nine 

 inches from the end of the shank to the middle of the 

 bend, from the latter four inches in a straight lin* to the 

 point, which should be delicate and sharp, and at least 

 two inches and three-eighths from the inner edge of the 

 shank opposite ; the bend should swell out so as to be 

 three inches across at its widest, and the end of the 

 shank must be bent back and sharpened ; the steel tapers 

 gradually from the point to a thickness of one quarter 

 of an inch. Being nothing more than a large hook, it 

 is easily carried, and when wanted for use, fastened to 

 any suitable stick by driving in the projection on the 

 shank, and winding the whole with stout cord. For very 

 large salmon, a stronger and larger gaff would be desir- 

 able, and for grilse a smaller one. 



When fish run, and throw themselves out of water, 

 some writers direct you to taughten your line ; but I say, 

 heed them not. Your line is well out and sunk to some 

 distance, the very jump of the fish will consequently 

 bring a great strain on the hook, without your aid, and 

 many a fish is lost by such usage. On the contrary, if 

 you give to him as he leaps, you diminish the tension, 

 and then the quicker you take up the line after he has 

 fallen back, the better. If, on the contrary, when he 



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