92 SALMON FISHING 



other is important, sixty degrees being the best. 

 If it be greater, the hook as viewed across, 

 narrows too much in the bend, and is not so 

 likely to hook a fish. 



There seems no doubt that hooks are often 

 blamed, when really the fault lies with the angler 

 himself. Frequently one hears " Broken in a 

 fish ; " ten to one, it was nothing of the kind. 

 Before the fish even saw the fly the hook had 

 been broken broken by catching a stone on the 

 bank behind. 



We remember once seeing a friend who had 

 just commenced salmon fishing, bend and break 

 up his hooks in a most remarkable manner. 

 Lashing out a long line, he was striking the 

 bank at every cast. He then showed the writer 

 his hooks (some of which were bent almost into 

 a circle with the violence of the blow), and 

 complained of the quality. 



To get an idea of the strength of a hook, 

 stick a No. 3/0 into a piece of soft wood, and 

 pull on it with the rod and about 20 yards of 

 line. It will be found that you cannot pull 

 hard enough (unless you straighten the rod, and 

 pull directly from the line), to break or bend 

 the hook, nor could it be done in the mouth 

 of a fish, and yet one will still hear that unfair 

 remark, " Broken in a fish." 



Hooks are now so thoroughly well made and 



