PLAYING AND LANDING A FISH 209 



fishing a friend's water, or are a member of a club, do 

 not steer close to the regulation limit. A good plan 

 is to have a number of marks cut on the handle of 

 the landing-net, showing such lengths as 10, 11, 12, 

 and 13 inches, which are the most usual size limits. 

 A fish just up to the limit should invariably have the 

 benefit of the doubt and be restored to its native 

 element. Above all, do not listen to talk about 

 fish being rendered preternaturally shy by being 

 returned to the water. This is the stock argument 

 of the pot-hunter, and I am more than surprised to 

 find experts who should know better giving this 

 theory the benefit of their support. 



If your fish is sizable, give it a smart tap on the 



head just at the summit of the 



Killing the sizable spinal column to put it out of 



fish. pain. It is a true saying of 



non-sporting men that all sport 

 is cruel, and the neglect of this humane action is 

 an aggravation of the cruelty. Weigh your fish 

 accurately on the spring-balance, register its weight 

 in your diary, and here again do not be tempted to 

 record it at an ounce or so above its real weight ; 

 rather call it a trifle under than the smallest fraction 

 over the weight as registered on the spring-balance. 



