142 THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 



among the meshes, and the hooks often get fixed, which con- 

 sumes valuable time before the cast is again free. The mesh 

 for a trout net should be about half an inch, and the width 

 at top, to suit hoop, twelve or thirteen inches in diameter. 

 This will take about seventy-six meshes, to correspond with 

 seventy-six holes bored through the hoop ; and the depth of 

 net should be at least twelve inches. A salmon net should 

 be three-quarter inch mesh, and from twenty inches to two 

 ieet wide at top ; the wider it is the better. All nets should 

 be what is called "barked," that is, steeped in a hot 



LANDING NET. 



-solution of catechu or cutch for a few hours. This serves to 

 tan the cord and render it waterproof to a certain extent, 

 also prevents it suffering from wet and weather, and gives 

 it a good brown colour, which is not so liable to be seen by 

 the fish when it is being used. They can also be oiled or 

 varnished, but in this case the nets are stiff and unyielding. 

 The nets may be fastened on ash hoops, rigid, and made to 

 screw into the landing handle ; or they may be fastened to 

 either steel collapsible or galvanised iron folding hoops, 

 which are handy for carrying; or, better still, on whalebone 

 hoops, which are very complete both for handiness and 

 strength, but are a little expensive. Iron hoops are not 

 satisfactory, as they rust and eat through the net, and 



