Fish-hooks. 31 



thrown in, alone know with what feelings I returned to 

 camp. It was the last day of that open season, too. 



I have seen an angler of wide experience, though 

 new to large trout, white to the lips as he told how a 

 few moments before he had lost a large fish after ten 

 minutes' play a trout, which his experienced guide 

 assured me he had seen plainly, and to which he as- 

 signed a weight of not less than six pounds. 



I see I have diverged from what I intended to say, 

 and interpolated a narrative which may seem to some 

 out of place. But if it will serve to impress upon the 

 beginner how greatly the pang which follows the loss of 

 a large fish, exceeds the trouble and expense of provid- 

 ing first-class tackle at the outset, its practical utility 

 will, it is hoped, justify the digression. With every 

 appliance of the best, such losses will still occasionally 

 occur even to the most skilful, but this will then happen 

 but seldom, nor is the disappointment imbittered by 

 self-reproach. Good-luck comes to all at times, and he 

 is the most successful, in angling as in life, who pre- 

 pares beforehand to take full advantage of his opportu- 

 nities. 



From 1884 to 1886 or 1887 I tied all the flies I used 

 on the Pennell hook of the form shown on page 18. 

 Not that my first love, the Sproat, lost favor in my 

 sight, but because I had trouble in obtaining it deep 

 enough on the barb side to meet my idea, because I 

 liked the straight shank on which to build up the fly, 

 and because it proved an excellent hook. 



Then Mr. Pennell brought out his turn-down eyed 

 hook figured on the following page, known in the trade 

 as the " loop - eyed " hook. Those unfamiliar with 

 this form of hook should note how its shank-end is 



