12 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



curved form of the hook, eventually its direction is 

 changed, and it becomes strictly a blow, which, to give 

 the maximum of penetration, should be delivered in a 

 direct line with the point. 



This result would be well accomplished by any form 

 of hook, were it not that another principle intervenes ; 

 for the moment the forward movement of the hook, 

 due to the pull on the line, is arrested by an obstruc- 

 tion at the point, the point tends to halt while the re- 

 mainder of the hook still advances. Thus a cant is 

 instantly given to the hook, the direction of the point 

 is thrown out of line, and at an angle with the move- 

 ment the blow becomes oblique instead of direct and 

 the hook tends to rake its way out of the fish's mouth, 

 rather than to imbed itself therein. (See Fig. 2.) 



Try the experiment yourself. 



Holding a hook in the position shown in Fig. 5 

 (page 19), except that the shank should be horizontal, 

 insert its point lightly in any soft substance which will, 

 like the inside of the mouth of a fish, permit the hook 

 freely to assume its own position a piece of blotting- 

 paper for example. Now pull on the gut attached to 

 the hook, and at once it will assume the position claimed 

 and indicated. This change of position is the founda- 

 tion of the main principle hereafter announced. Other 

 considerations there are which affect the construction 

 of hooks, but they are of very secondary importance. 



Mr. H. Cholmondely Pennell, in his "Modern Practi- 

 cal Angler " (London, 1870), has treated this subject with 

 marked ability. We feel certain that such of our read- 

 ers as have not seen his book, will not think it amiss 

 if we quote him somewhat fully. In this feeling it is 

 hoped he will join. 



