26 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 



The Limerick hooks are not usually straight, 

 but form a curve., like the division of an inter- 

 sected circle. This form is certainly objection- 

 able, and will frequently, in striking a fish, be 

 drawn from its mouth without fixing the barb, as 

 may be readily conceived by an inspection of the 

 plate : add to which, the barb projects from the 

 point too abruptly, which, if the fish do not rise 

 very freely, will prove a source of mortification 

 to the angler, as he will frequently scratch their 

 mouths, without firmly hooking a single fin. 



The common Kendal hooks are of good form, 

 but the distance of the extreme point from the 

 barb is for the most part too great ; neither do 

 the barbs project sufficiently. In many instances 

 these hooks may be found so nearly resembling a 

 bent pin, that they may be introduced into the 

 fleshy part of the hand, and drawn back without 

 inflicting pain. How, then, can they be expected 

 successfully to resist the active exertions of an 

 irritated trout, struggling for liberty in its own 

 element, which the want of a proper barb tends to 



