50 



such purposes, the best -, it rarely failed to extricate me 

 from difficulty. The only objection to it is, that it ought 

 to be at least four inches diameter within the circle, and 

 that the claws should be of such a length as to be effec- 

 tual aids. Hence this kind of clearing-ring (I call it 

 a ring-grapple} is rather cumbrous ; but no clearing-ring 1 

 should be so small as not to pass over your reel. 



There is, however, another important aid on such 

 occasions, and especially where the hook is entangled 

 among boughs within a short distance, though not ac- 

 cessible to the hand, which every angler should possess., 



viz. 



A Butt- Hook. 



Every complete rod, from the hands of a regular 

 maker, has at its butt a brass ferrol, in which is a round- 

 headed screw that, when removed, is substituted by a 

 spud of about six inches long, intended to fix the rod 

 to the ground, in such direction as the angler may find 

 convenient. 



Besides this, there ought to be a butt-hook of the 

 form laid down in Fig. 6, Plate II. j its length need not 

 be more than four inches, exclusive of the screw j but it 

 should be kept very sharp, both at its end, which is of 

 a chisel form, and in 'the bend of the hook. 



We sometimes are entangled by branches that can- 

 not be cut away by the hook, which, on account of the 

 weakness, or of the direction, of the impediment, slips 

 off. When this happens, the chisel end should be ap- 

 plied underneath, so as to cut from the hand, and 

 thus liberate the hook and the whole twig together. The 

 experienced angler will readily understand the situations 

 to which the chisel and hook are severally applicable. 



Wliile 



