88 



one method by which they may be fastened to a flattened shank, 

 while fig. 27 illustrates the figure-of-eight knot by means of which 

 the eyed shank may be firmly secured. The gut should be soaked 

 for some hours in cold water previous to tying, and it may be kept 

 soft for some considerable time by giving it a few hours' immersion 

 in a solution of glycerine about one part of 

 glycerine to four or five parts of water. 



Small hooks will be most suitable for our 

 purpose; and if the reader finds any diffi- 

 culty in attaching the snood firmly, he may 

 purchase suitable hooks ready mounted on 

 gut, though, of course, 

 these are more expen- 

 sive than the flattened 

 or eyed hooks gener- 

 ally used for sea-fish- 

 ing. Such small and 

 fragile hooks may be 

 occasionally snapped 

 off by the run of a 

 vigorous fish of mode- 

 rate size, therefore it 

 is advisable to have a 

 supply of larger hooks, 

 ready fixed on strong 

 snoods, to be used when 

 it is found that the 



shore is frequented by larger fishes than 

 those generally caught close to land. 



When fishing with a rod and line from 

 rocks, or from piers, the foundations of which 

 are covered with large weeds, the bait will 

 frequently be carried by currents among the 

 weeds and snapped off when endeavours are 



made to release the hook. This will especially be the case when 

 the hook is a few feet below the lead, as we have already suggested 

 it should be. To reduce the frequency of such mishaps, it will 

 be a good plan to weight the gut below the lead by means of a 

 few split shot. In fact, in sheltered places, where the water is not 

 disturbed, these shot may take the place of the lead, but little 

 weight being necessary for rod fishing in such localities. 



FIG. 27. METHOD OF 

 ATTACHING SNOOD TO 

 EYED HOOK 



FIG. 26. METHOD OF 

 ATTACHING SNOOD TO 

 FLATTENED HOOK 



