A Game of 15 by Glow-worm

Puzzle explanation

The theme was Hook a Duck, a game that involves fishing with a ROD for a floating toy duck. Wordplay in four clues produced an extra O (duck), to be transferred into four other clues’ wordplay that omitted an O. Extra words in clues were jumbled ducks or synonyms of “duck”.

Clue explanations

Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal

No Extra word/jumble Answer (unclued letter) Explanation [extra letter]
Across
1   NO G(O) NO + G
3   CUDDLY T(O)Y C(l)U(e)D (o)D(d)L(y) Y(e)T + (fairl)Y
9   ERASER ((Azo)RES ARE(a)) <
11 deer, I: EIDER ORINOCO ICON * in (OR + O)
13   TRILITH (homophone of TRY) + LIT + H(olocaust)
16   ERHU DEER HUNT − DE/NT
18   BEATEN B(ecome) + EATEN
19   CADET CORPS (REDCOATS C[O]P) *
22   KHAKI K + HA’ + KI(t)
23   GONG GOING − I(nterior)
24   PRIZES
25   TELUGU LUG after T(amil) E(ntering) + U
26 chap Rod: POCHARD A ONE A1
27   ADORE (ADORE[O] + MINT) * = MODERATION
30   NATURAL LAW URAL in (LAWN AT) *
31 In we go: WIGEON EMENDS (ED + S) around MEN
35   RANK 2 meanings
36 avoid KHEDIVE K + HE + DIVE
37   INDULIN IND(igo) + U(ltramarine) + LIN(seed)
38   AVERSE VERSACE * − C
39   B(O)OMERANG MOB < + ANGER *
40   (O)OPS OP + S
Down
1   NETT (inter)NET T(rader)
2   GAIN
4 fabric URTICA CURTAI(n) *
5   DRAB 2 meanings
6   LIFE PEERAGE ÉPÉE in FRAGILE *
7 tale: TEAL TORTUOUS (OUT + ROT) < + U/S
8   YOUNG GUN YOU + NG + GUN
10   SLEEK S(i)L(v)E(r)E(d) + K(itsch)
12   CHEONGSAM (NAG MO[O]CHES) *
14   IN THE SADDLE (SHETLAND I’D) * around E
15   HOOK A DUCK
17   PATROLMAN (PLAN TO R[O]AM) *
20 loves her: SHOVELER SPARE RIB SPARE + RIB
21   NINTENDO INTEND in NO
28   ORPHAN O(ute)R P(orc)H A(gai)N
29 amphibian ELIDE LID in (zook)EE(pers)
32   STIR 2 meanings
33   GIRO ((pian)O RIG(ger’s)) <
34 Damn rain: MANDARIN LEES LEGUMES − GUM
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