156 GORGE-HOOKS THINLY LEADED. 



Gorge-hooks of all sizes and figures are kept 

 in the shops. The necessity of having different 

 sizes of the gorge apparatus is apparent, from the 

 fact that you use it, in trolling for large and 

 small pike, with baits from the size of the min- 

 now to that of a roach of from two to eight 

 ounces. Not only should gorge-hooks be kept of 

 various sizes, but their shape, particularly the 

 leaden part of them, should be adapted to the 

 shape of the fish you use as a bait. The minnow 

 and gudgeon are round enough in shape to con- 

 ceal a round leaded gorge -hook, corresponding 

 with their size ; but for the bleak and roach and 

 dace, which are more flat-sided, I recommend 

 that the lead be somewhat flattened, and be 

 rather of a compressed oval shape than round. 

 Mr. Sal ter judiciously observes : ' I generally re- 

 move about a third of the lead from the brass of 

 those hooks which I find kept ready for sale in 

 the fishing-tackle shops, because I have found 

 when the lead lies nearly the whole of the length 

 of the bait-fish, and especially of a bleak or thin 

 roach, that when the jack strikes it, his teeth 

 pierce through the flesh and touch the lead ; he 

 then immediately drops the bait. Now, by re- 

 moving a part of the lead, as above directed, the 

 angler will find the remainder to be sufficient for 

 sinking, &c. his bait, and that it will lie at the 

 bottom of the bait's throat, or only a little lower ; 



