484 BRAZED TRIANGLES. 



light, fine, and also short, so that it may be driven home 

 with the slightest tug ; it should, too, lay as close to the 

 hook as possible. A rank barb, such as we see in the 

 Limerick, is unnecessary and even objectionable, requiring 

 hard striking and hard holding to get it home, neither of 

 which are commendable or workmanlike in trout fishing. 

 The hook requires to be of the very best temper, and the 

 wire moderately stout, but not too stout ; neither should 

 it be too fine, or it will not stand. The length of the 

 shank must be dictated by the fly to be used to some ex- 

 tent, but as a rule the longer the shank that can be 

 afforded the better, and the farther off the fly is dressed 

 from the bend of the hook (in reason) the better, too, as 

 the point has then a fairer play. In the south of Scotland 

 and north of England they are very fond of the round 

 bend, and it answers very well for the flies it is used for. 

 These are usually dressed sparely, and have scarcely any 

 body compared with the southern patterns, the lapping 

 of the silk often forming all the body. The wing and 

 hackle are exceedingly slight, and afford no guard or let 

 whatever to the point of the hook. The fly is dressed 

 high up the shank, so that the bend comes out far behind 

 the fly. Thus dressed, they answer the purpose they are 

 designed for. 



I now come to the consideration of hooks for spinning 

 tackle. The large single hooks much in vogue for spin- 

 ning minnows for trout should all b of the round bend. 

 There is no better hook for this purpose, as it communi- 

 cates the proper twist to the tail, and is the correct pat- 

 tern and size in respect both to the point and barb. If 

 triangles be used, the brazed ones do well enough, but 

 care should be taken to see that the points be not too long 

 nor the barbs too rank ; though a trifle more may be 

 yielded in the latter point than is advisable in fly hooks, 

 as a harder stroke can be afforded, but it is the fashion 



