24 BOTTOM OR FLOAT-FISHING. 



endeavoured to construct a hook with some re- 

 ference to mechanical principles, and combining as 

 far as possible the advantages of the various bends 

 referred to, and especially of the sproat and sneck 

 bends, whilst avoiding what I believe to be their 

 faults. The sizes of hooks hereafter mentioned refer 

 to the several sizes of these hooks. The proper size 

 for each fish and bait are given under the separate 



heading. 



WINCHES OR REELS. 



Reels may be broadly placed in two divisions 

 metal and wooden. The latter I dismiss as being 

 unsuited to anything but " Nottingham fishing," of 

 which more hereafter. The former, as every 

 fisherman knows, are divided into three classes : 

 " plain," " check," and " multiplying." Of these I 

 think there can be no doubt that the "multipliers" 

 combine the greatest number of disadvantages 

 with the fewest recommendations, as they are ex- 

 pensive, very apt to get out of gear, and almost 

 useless either for winding in a large fish, or for 

 giving line to one of any other size. 



The "plain" brass reel has at least the merit of 

 being plain in the sense of simpleness and inapti- 



