GAFFS

Fishing gaffs came in all different sizes for different species of fish. Some gaffs would fold up and tuck neatly way or would attach to the anglers belt. These smaller hand gaffs were used to boat smaller salmon and large trout. Larger fish required larger gaffs.

The largest fish, tuna, marlin, and swordfish often required a flying gaff. Flying gaffs were built in two sections, the handle and the hook. The hook was attached to a length of rope and then somewhat loosly fitted into the handle. The hook and the handle were held in place by a thin line that would break, separating the two once the hook was sunk into the fish. The handle would then be free of the hook and the angler would use the rope attached to the hook to bring the fish to the boat.