65 



esteemed. Neither the London, the Birming- 

 ham, nor the Dublin hooks are good, because 

 they are manufactured to sell cheap. Kendal 

 hooks are in considerable reputation as to 

 temper, and hold well, though they are not 

 so readily fixed, by the pull, in the mouth of 

 the fish. 'Many anglers,' says Carroll, e do 

 not approve of the Kirby bend, particularly in 

 large hooks : they prefer the hook that is bent 

 in a line with the shank, as being the best for 

 holding a large fish.' A hook ought never to 

 be chosen whose point stands much outwards, 

 as it often only scratches the fish without lay- 

 ing hold. The celebrated Limerick hooks 

 made by O'Shaughnessy, are by far the best 

 tempered of any in the market, being capable 

 of holding a fish of thirty pounds, stand a 

 very little outwards, which is certainly an 

 advantage." 



Mr. Stoddart says, that " the hook used in 

 Scotland, and which he prefers, is Kendal 

 circular bend. It is of much lighter make 

 than the Limerick, and its shape in the small- 

 er sizes more suitable for hooking trout." 



Colonel Hawker, on the other hand, ob- 

 serves, " With regard to hooks, I have always 

 found the Irish ones far superior to ours. 

 The best, I believe, are bought in Limerick." 



Our readers will perceive, that of the seven 



