274 



Rod and Tackle. 



CHAP. xx. 



so easily put on, look so neat, and are supposed to be so convenient 

 for the angler. I enter against split rings the most uncompromising 

 protest. Oh, the magnificent fish they have lost me ! I cannot bear 

 the sight of them. I take them off and break them up the moment I 

 see them. 



The accompanying illustration of one of Farlow's spoons shows 

 the way I like them mounted. The 

 attachment is by a small soldered ring, 

 the upper one unites spoon and swivel 

 and treble hook, the tail one similarly 

 unites spoon and tail hook, and in both 

 cases the hook is well home to its work. 

 There are only two hooks, one at the 

 head and one at the tail, and the hook 

 not unfrequently added at one side of 

 the spoon is dispensed with, because two 

 trebles are quite enough to ensure the 

 hooking of any fish that is fool enough 

 to take the spoon into his mouth, and 

 more than two hooks unduly impede the 

 spinning of the spoon. The spoon is one 

 of an older pattern of Farlow's, and he 

 tells me they are now made narrower ; but 

 I prefer the old shape, because I think it 

 takes a better hold of the water, and 

 therefore revolves with less rapidity of 

 tension, and therefore allows of your 

 spinning more slowly. In short, the well- 

 rounded shape, just the form of a dessert- 

 spoon, is my favourite. In this matter of 

 split rings I do hope, dear reader, that 

 you will be content to be guided by me. 

 It is not a matter for compromise, not a 

 matter for argument. It is aut Ccesar aut 

 nullus. 



There are good fishermen who advocate 

 flying hooks, as shown in the illustration 

 which Farlow calls the Giri spoon. I do 



