ON HOOKS. 13 



did not find himself fully in accord with Mr. 

 Pennell. And now I, an unknown writer, having 

 also opinions of my own on the subject, must 

 needs speak out my mind and survey the same 

 ground that both my masters have measured 

 before me, in the light that they have left behind 

 them. I will follow Mr. PennelFs mapped-out 

 mode of inquiry, as so much clearness is thereby 

 gained. 



To be perfect for fly dressing purposes, then, 

 a hook should have : 



1. A searching point. 



2. Quick penetration, without tendency to rake. 



3. Good holding power. 



4. Strength. 



5. Neatness and adaptability to form of fly. 



A SEARCHING POINT. 



Neither Mr. Pennell nor Mr. Wells appears to 

 have given much consideration to this condition. 



FIG. 1. Mr. Pennell's typical position of the hook after 

 penetration. 



At least it seems to have been inadequately 

 distinguished from the condition of quick pene- 

 tration, especially since, as we shall shortly 

 see, the requirements of the two are entirely 

 antagonistic. 



Mr. Pennell states as the case of hooking 

 "most common in practice, that of the hook 

 having penetrated quite through the lip of the 

 fish, so that the point protrudes." Mr. Wells, on 

 the contrary, says : " It must not be forgotten 



