SALMON FISHING WITH THE FLY. 245 
far as is possible and then pull him down with a run; if this 
can be repeated two or three times, he will generally give in. 
There is another way of playing a fish that is stubborn: the 
rod is laid down on the bank, andthe fish is hand-played, and, 
although it does not seem a very sportsmanlike method of pro- 
ceeding, it is astonishing how quickly a fish will give in when 
thus treated. I have seen fish that have been played half an 
hour, showing no signs of giving in, landed in a couple of 
minutes by hand-playing them. This is a common practice 
on the Aberdeenshire Dee, particularly during the spring 
months, when the spent fish, which run to a large size, get 
recruited, give the angler a great deal of trouble, and waste a 
great deal of valuable time in bringing them to bank. 
GAFFING AND LANDING A FISH. 
There is a great art in bringing a salmon to the gaff. It 
should never be attempted in very shallow water if it can 
be avoided. The gaffer should always keep a little below 
where he expects the fish will be brought towards the bank, 
and wherever he places himself he should remain stationary, 
in a stooping position, with the gaff ready for action. Should 
he move about the fish will probably get sight of him, and if 
he does the chances are he will make a run out into mid-stream, 
and will not allow himself to be brought within reach of the 
gaff until he is quite exhausted, fighting it out to the bitter 
end. What the angler has to do is to wait until the fish is 
quiet, and if he can get his nose above the water bring him in 
with a run to the gaffer, who will seize the opportunity, give 
one clip, and all is over with him. On no account should he 
attempt to put the gaff in should the fish commence to struggle, 
but wait patiently until he is quiet again. A fish will often be 
brought within reach of the gaff over and over again, and just as 
the gaffer is about to strike him he commences to struggle. This 
is a trying time for the man who is playing him, but he must 
not, as is often the case, lose his temper and abuse the gaffer, for 
