386 Ichthyological Papers. [May, 



will break your gut a hundred times. No ! I go upon the safe, 

 the sure principle of saving my fish, and I use tackle accordingly. 

 My ash and hickory (I cannot yet boast a Conroy, but I will 

 soon) are laid aside, and a three-joint cane, with a stout tip sub- 

 stituted in their place ; instead of rings my line passes through 

 small beckets on top #/"the rod and over a roller at the tip. My 

 line is generally manilla or sea grass of fine size. I prefer it as 

 such a large quantity can be placed upon the reel. But the main 

 point is the arrangement of the hooks, which is as follows : A 

 brass or copper wire about four inches long with an eye at one 

 end holds the bait hook. The line is made fast to a double wire 

 passing through this eye and bent outwards, with two stout sharp 

 hooks to each end with their points inwards, so that the fish when 

 he takes the bait must have his throat directly above them. 

 When the bait is taken, a strong strike is made and the conse- 

 quence is that the gentleman has the hooks driven deep into either 

 side of his throat. 



The bait is overboard and every one waiting anxiously to see 

 the " gar killer " strike his fish. The blue float slowly moves off 

 and gradually sinks ; he's there. Quietly the line is paid from 

 the reel until he has gone some thirty feet. The hooks are 

 driven home, the cane bends to the pressure but the line does not 

 move. " You're fast to a log," cries one who never saw a gar. 

 The line is slacked— another strike ; another— he feels the steel 

 and off he goes. Now for it! Full swell does the gar killer 

 know the exact pressure which his tackle will bear, and as well 

 does he know that he can conquer only by making his prey fight 

 and struggle for every inch of line. He whips him to his work, 

 and now the robber has thrown off all his lethargy and tries 

 every art, lays out all his strength to rid himself of the toils- 

 beware his rush, for salmon or rock never came near it. Whiz 

 goes the reel; twenty yards are gone, and you have him. Now 

 comes the struggle and the angler is victorious, his head is turned, 

 and rapidly comes the line to the reel. Half an hour is gone and 

 yet his form has not been seen. Do you see the line slowly as- 

 cending? Watch him well, 'tis his last attempt— defeat him and 

 he is safe. Slowly the white line leaves the water. Now faster 

 the spray is thrown far and wide, and high in the air leaps the 

 victim, hoping by his huge weight to break the tackle. Down 

 goes the tip, the line is slack as he leaves the water, and his last 



