HOW TO EXTRACT A HOOK 63 



and well tempered, no scissors will cut through it. 

 Nothing but pliers will do so, as the eye must, 

 of course, be removed before the hook can be 

 forced through. If any wax, etc., is left on the 

 shank, before pushing it through, it is very 

 likely to cause a great deal of after irritation, as 

 some of it is sure to be left in the flesh as the 

 shank passes through. I have several times had 

 to extract a hook in the manner above described, 

 and on one occasion, not having my pliers with 

 me, was forced to walk a long distance to borrow 

 a pair. So I decided in future to always carry a 

 pair with me. 



I trust the reader may not think these trifles 

 above his notice ; but since it is the smaller 

 troubles which cause the greatest annoyance, I 

 think it may be of possible service to him to know 

 how, if he cannot avoid getting into trouble, to, 

 at all events, make the best of a bad job. 



