THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 25 



tance by a number of anglers, who are satisfied if 

 they procure the size they want, no part of their 

 apparatus requires more minute attention than 

 these small implements, on which success cer- 

 tainly, in a great measure, depends. It is neces- 

 sary to have the hooks perfectly tempered ; that 

 is, of such a degree of firmness that they will not 

 bend, and yet not so hard as to snap readily. 

 The best method of ascertaining whether or not 

 the hooks be properly tempered, is to try them 

 in a piece of cork ; or for the points only, the 

 thumb nail is sufficient. 



Most writers on the subject of angling mention 

 a small whetstone as a necessary appendage for 

 sharpening the points of the hooks ; but a fly 

 ought never to be dressed upon a hook which has 

 not a good point; and if, upon fair trial, the 

 point fail, the hooks are of bad quality, and 

 should be altogether rejected. Hooks for dress- 

 ing flies upon are to be preferred, if the shank 

 taper towards the head, which adds greatly to the 

 neatness of the workmanship. 



