60 FLY-FISHING AND FLY-MAKING. 



the best price it is cheapest in the end, say I. Penetrat- 

 ing power depends on the point being sharp, the barb not 

 unduly rank, and the line of impact being, as nearly 

 as possible, coincident with the direction of force ap- 

 plied. The fouling or hooking power is nearly equal in 

 all hooks with a straight vertical section that is, not 

 made with a "kirbed" or side twist (which injures pene- 

 tration), providing all other things are equal, and the hold- 

 ing power depends on the nearness of the point to the 

 opposite part of the shank, the distance between it and the 

 first bend, and on the shape of the barb. 



My own ideal of a hook is set forth in Figure 20, and 1 

 make it a present to the angling public. It has never 



Fig. 21. HOOKS OP A. D. 1496 PROM BOKE OP ST. ALBANS. 



been manufactured wholesale, but the few I have made 

 for my own use have demonstrated the unfailing accuracy 

 of the hook in all the qualities I have named as desirable. 

 As will be observed, the chief peculiarity of the hook lies 

 in the form of the barb. A section of it at A shows it 

 is brought to an edge razor-wise, and this is carried on 

 down to the point. Then the slanting off of the upper 

 part of the barb is claimed as an important improvement, 

 allowing, as it does, of instant penetration without loss 

 of holding power. Added to this the line of impact is 



