FISHING TACKLE AND HOW TO MAKE IT. 463 



one is entitled to speak authoritatively. I have done this 

 carefully, and here declare that, at the time of writing, the 

 "Dublin-Limerick", or "O'Shaughnessy", at present is the 

 best all-round hook, followed closely by the "Sproat" bend 

 of hook. 



In order to make plain this matter of shapes to the unini- 

 tiated, I give, in fig. lo, the different kinds chiefly used in 

 fresh water, as manufactured by Allcock, of Rcdditch — the 

 largest tackle-maker, in the world. 



The process of manufacture has been so often described 

 that I do not think it is necessary to here again repeat it. 

 Those who are curious on the subject will find it described 

 at length in my book, "Fishing-Tackle — Its Materials and 

 Manufacture" (Ward, Lock & Co., 33 Bond-st. New York). 



Of all the shapes of hooks, as I have said, the Dublin-Lim- 

 erick is the nearest to perfection; and personally, I prefer 

 this hook, eyed with the bashful turn-down eye, as shown. 

 The eye obviates the tying on of a snell, of course, and it 

 has this supreme advantage: when the gut is at all worn or 

 frayed, it is not necessary to discard the hook. All you have 

 to do is to cut off the gut and re-tie. This advantage is 

 patent to everybody. 



Fig. II. 

 This section would be incomplete if I did not here pause 

 and tell how to tie and re-tie the knots referred to. There 

 are four really good ways of tying, but on the whole I prefer 

 fig. 12. It is the one I always use myself, and has never 

 drawn or failed me in any way. I do not say the others 



