338 ABOUT HOOKS. 



the most tender-mouthed fish that swims. It is no 

 uncommon thing for the angler, when fishing for 

 grayling, to find a portion of the jaw of an escaped 

 fish remaining upon his hook ; more especially when 

 rough bottom tackle is used. The hook useful for 

 trout is, generally speaking, too large and heavy for 

 grayling, the excessively small flies he usually prefers 

 being difficult to copy when a clumsy and heavy hook 

 is employed. There has long been a want felt of 

 a suitable hook for grayling, to be at once light, 

 durable, and effective in shape and make. Many 

 experiments we have tried in years past with the 

 view of surmounting this difficulty, but failure was 

 the characteristic feature of each, until we accidentally 

 hit upon a peculiar bend (fig. 5), which was found 

 to work with unusual success. Conjointly with 

 several friends of the rod, we have tested this hook 

 thoroughly, and with perfectly satisfactory results. 



This hook has been designated the " Swan "-bend, 

 and as such it is known amongst the few anglers who 

 have hitherto kept it a secret. It may be gathered 

 from what has been previously stated that the faults 

 and deficiencies, as well as the merits of hooks, 

 rest to a great extent with the manufacturer ; and 

 we would observe that Messrs. Allcock & Co., from 

 the large extent of their productions, are enabled 

 to devote every attention to the all-important details 

 to which we have alluded. This firm have always 

 assiduously and carefully carried out any suggestion 

 submitted to them, never failing to give the most 

 complete satisfaction. 



