EYED HOOKS. 



21 



lip of the fish. Personally, I would rather have no barb at all 

 for bottom fishing than a large, rank one. In the twentieth 

 century hooks may be made with modified barbs, but at present 

 the angler is well advised if he carries a small needle or watch- 

 maker's file, and reduces the barbs and sharpens 

 up the sides of the points of all large-sized 

 hooks. Fig. 8 illustrates a very improved form 

 of hook for worm-fishing, invented by Mr. 

 R. B. Marston. The barb on the shank keeps 

 the worm in its place. 



Eyed hooks — that is, hooks with a small eye 



Uat the end of the shank, to which the line is 

 fastened — are not much used by bottom fishers, 

 but it is as well to have a few of various sizes 

 in one's book. These hooks are easily fastened 

 to gut by the method (one of several) shown 

 in Fig. 9, and known as the Turle knot. I 

 doubt if there is a better one for bottom 

 fishing. The gut is (1) put through the eye, and a slip-knot 

 made in it; (2) the hook is then put through the noose, and 



Fig. 8. The 



Marston Sliced 



Hook. 



Fig. 9. The Method of Fastening Eyed Hooks to Gut. 



(3) the noose pulled tight. Stewart tackle is easily made 

 with eyed hooks (see Chap. III.). 



