HOOKS. 9 



being equal, must evidently be that in which, whilst retaining the re- 

 quisite thickness of metal at the portion subject to strain, the parts not 

 so subject— that is, the shank and " point-side"— are tapered away to- 

 wards the ends. Hooks so tapered are also neater when employed for 

 flies, and more convenient for general use. 



The patterns of hook which at present most nearly 

 fulfil the conditions indicated by a practical application 

 of the foregoing theory are the sneck and sproat-bend 

 hooks ; the former is however marred by two faults, the 

 turning to one side of the point, and the lack of strength 

 above described ; and the latter by the want of depth 

 and power in the point-side, the hollowed out or 

 blunted shape of the barb, and the curved or " hog- 

 backed" form of the shank. Appearance, or neatness, is 

 of course a matter of taste, but whatever other claims the 

 sproat-bend has upon our suffrages they can hardly, I 

 think, be urged on the score of beauty. The Limerick 

 hook also has the disadvantage, though in a less ex- 

 aggerated form than the " sproat," of being hog-backed, 

 which, as I have shown, prevents the fly swimming 

 straight and even, and gives it an inclination to turn in 

 the water, like a miniature spinning-bait. The round 

 and Kirby bends are very deficient in penetrating power, 

 and disproportionately short in the shank as compared 

 to their breadth of bend, either for appearance or use, 

 more particularly in the matter of flies. 



In the pattern of hook which is now being manufac- 

 tured by Messrs. Hutchinson, of Kendal, under m}^ 

 name, I have endeavoured to hit the medium bcLvvcea 



