334 ABOUT HOOKS. 



shown in the case of the heavy Limerick. The 

 relative weight-sustaining powers of straight-pointed 

 and "rake-pointed" hooks may be exemplified in the 

 following manner. Take a " rake " pointed, deeply 

 barbed Limerick, Kendal, or any other bend, and 

 take also a " straight " pointed hook of the same size 

 and strength of metal. Secure a length of gut to the 

 shank of each hook, and stick the points slightly into 

 a deal board, and now attach a spring-balance to 

 each piece of gut, and pull. The staying powers of 

 the "straight point" will be found to be almost double 

 that of the others. 



Up to a recent date eyed hooks have been looked 

 upon as associated only with the most primitively 

 uncouth styles of angling. The recent development 

 above implied is known as " Hall's Eyed Hook," it 

 having been invented and introduced by Mr. H. S. 

 Hall (Clifton, Bristol), who, with several of his friends 

 have devoted much time and trouble to its perfection. 



The hook is refined to an extent difficult to 

 conceive from description. The advantages claimed 

 are its adaptability for dry fly fishing (this, owing to 

 delicacy of make and quality of metal), the economy 

 incurred by the loop shank in lieu of the attached 

 gut, and the convenience common to all looped flies 

 which are sufficiently well understood to obviate a 

 detailed allusion here. We have used the new eyed 

 hook and find in it elements of merit sufficient to 

 warrant mention in these pages. The advantages 

 claimed are fully borne out by its use. It will be seen 

 that the loop projects upwards (See plate VI., fig. 4). 



