414 THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN. 



As this drawing is one of mine, it is, of course, not quite exact, but 

 nevertheless sufficiently near, and, as will be seen, consists of four 

 triplets, a back hook, and a lip hook. When writing on Pike, at p. 159, 

 by inference I questioned the demerits of this Thames flight and the- 

 merits of Fennel!' s arrangement, shown on opposite page. Since that 

 was written I have considerably modified my views, in consequence of 

 careful and minute experiment, and I find that the evils of the Thames 

 flight briefly are as follow : 



(1.) The difficulty of fixing the hooks on the bait, in the fish's mouth. 



This may need explanation. Let the reader suppose a brush of 

 needles, instead of bristles, with their points turned upwards. Further 

 that he places his hand upon these upturned needles. It will be found 

 that no moderate amount of pressure will suffice to force the points into 

 his hand. If, on the other hand, he denudes this imagined brush of 

 all but say two or three of its needle bristles, any experimenter who 

 cares to be so foolish, can, by the exertion of the smallest force, pierce his 

 hand with the remaining points. The application of this is apparent. 

 A great amount of force is necessary in the strike of the spinner to 

 force the many hooks in the flight before us over the barbs. Whereas, if 

 these points were reduced in number, a comparatively small amount 

 of exertion would be necessary. It is therefore evident that the Thames 

 flight errs because of the number of its hooks. 



"But," the critic may answer, "the number of hooks increases the 

 chance of hooking, because of the number." So it would, were it not 

 for the former argument. A pike takes these many triangular hooks 

 between its bony jaws, and holds tight for a second or two. If the 

 angler then strikes the many points cannot pierce both because of the 

 reason urged, and because of the fish's strength. What is gained in 

 number is lost in certainty. Therefore the desideratum is a flight 

 which will give the highest percentage of captures for the strikes or 

 bites of the fish. 



(2.) The second evil is the rapid destruction of the impaled bait, and 

 consequent increasing deterioration. 



The bait is pierced in many places, and the curve of its tail is arranged 

 with comparative insecurity. Hence, it very soon loses its symmetry, 

 and becomes water-sodden and soft. The force with which it falls on the 

 water and other accidents then act upon it with a severity increasing 

 with great rapidity, until it is utterly unfit for use. It therefore is soon 

 spoilt, and is in nine cases out of ten unusable if a fish touches it with its 

 teeth only, and is in consequence not caught. 



(3.) The third evil is the insecurity of the lip hook, and the consequent 

 " doubling up " of the bait after a little use. 



