HOOKS 49 



BEND, MODEL PERFECT, HALL'S EYED, SWAN and 

 KIRBY are all in general use. 



Most of the various forms or bends of the hooks 

 now in use were introduced before the present century. 

 Of these there have been many modifications and 

 variations. One of the oldest bends is the Kirby, the 

 originator, Charles Kirby, having flourished in the 

 seventeenth century. In the quaint old book "The 

 Angler's Vade-Mecum," third edition, published 1700, 

 of a copy of which the writer is the proud possessor, 

 the following advertisement appears : 



"At the Sign of the Fish, in Black Horse Alley, 

 near Fleet Bridge, liveth Will Browne, who maketh 

 all sorts of Fishing Rods, and selleth all sorts of 

 Fishing Tackle; also Charlie Kirby's Hooks with 

 Worms, Gentles and Fly's; and also the East India 

 Weed, which is the only thing for Trout, Carp and 

 Bottom Fishing, first being well soaked for half an 

 hour before you use it in water, being of a brittle 

 nature, if not moistened before used, and then proves 

 so strong and fine, of a water colour, that it deceives 

 the Fish, much more than Hair or Silk. Note 

 That Kirby's Hooks are known by the fineness of the 

 Wyer and Strength and many Shops sell Counterfeit 

 for his, which prove prejudicial to the User. The 

 true Kirby's are to be sold by Will Browne and 

 nowhere Else." 



There is a tendency nowadays to use smaller hooks 

 for all purposes, and it is nothing uncommon for 

 trout and grayling flies to be dressed on hooks as 

 small as ooo and oooo. For grayling particularly a 

 small and delicate hook should be used, as this fish is 

 more fastidious than the trout and is the most tender- 

 mouthed fish that swims. 



The reduction in size of hooks called into every- 



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