86 ROD AND RIVER 



good. As a rule, the largest, wariest fish are 

 only to be taken by means of the smallest flies 

 and the finest gut. What, therefore, would be a 

 substantial hold in a small fish, would be but 

 a very small one in a trout of two or three 

 pounds ; and the little hook must be so shaped 

 as to be capable of fixing itself firmly in the 

 tough mouth of a trout. Much here depends on 

 shape. It will be observed that trout-hooks have, 

 for the most part, a side-twist, i.e., the barb and 

 shank are not in the same plane. This side-twist 

 is given for two reasons : firstly, that the barb 

 may more readily hook the fish ; secondly, that a 

 larger, deeper grasp may be secured. 



Hooks also vary very much in the shape of 

 the bend what is termed the Kirby bend being 

 somewhat square, the Limerick bend being rather 

 of an oval shape ; and in the latter the side-twist 

 is slight, as compared to that of the former. 

 Both bends are good ; but personally I prefer 

 the Limerick, the Kirby being to my mind a 

 weaker form, less suitable for large fish, and 

 more apt to break or bend than the other. Both 

 bends vary more or less from the standard 

 shape. The point of the Limerick is very fre- 

 quently thrown too much towards the shank at 

 the barb, and the point is made to turn too much 

 outwards again. Perhaps the best form of hook 

 is one with the Limerick bend, the portion from 



