Crossword Genius

Haul back the fishing line (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gut

'fishing line' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'haul back' is the wordplay.
'haul' becomes 'tug' (I've seen this in another clue).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'tug' back-to-front is 'GUT'.

'the' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for gut that I've seen before include "Belly; instinctive (feeling)" , "Entrails" , "restricted passage" , "The stuff of a violin string" , "Part of the digestive system" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Globe and Mail.
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