THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 27 



render easily attainable, by enlarging the orifice, 

 instead of securing to the angler the anticipated 

 prize ? 



The Sneckbend, as it is commonly called, di- 

 verges from the parallel lines from the bend 

 upwards, and the point is frequently near an 

 eighth of an inch to the right or left of the 

 shank of the hook. 



By some persons this form is preferred ; but 

 their judgment is certainly erroneous, for it fre- 

 quently happens that the fish discovers the de- 

 ceit, or in rising short, misses the artificial fly : 

 the angler very naturally strikes at that instant, 

 and will very often scratch the fish, owing en- 

 tirely to the lateral projection of the barb, which, 

 if it were level with the shank, would almost 

 invariably be avoided. 



The straight Kirby hooks approach the de- 

 sideratum, in shape and temper, nearer than 

 any other manufacture (see Plate II., fig. 4) ; 

 unless the Kendal hooks could be improved in 

 the form of the barb, and divested of the super- 



