32 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



doubled back against the shank itself after the loop-eye 

 is formed. 



This hook I have used ever since not so much on 

 account of its conformation, 

 though excellent, as because of 

 its turn-down eye. The addition 

 of this form of eye to hooks 

 adapted to fly-making is, in my 

 judgment, the greatest improve- 

 ment in fish-hooks within my 

 recollection. Rather than forego 

 the many advantages this eye 

 affords, I should prefer almost 

 any form of hook that had it to 

 the best that had it not. 



Let us consider the matter for 

 a moment. 



Such a fly is to be attached to the free end of the 

 leader by passing that end through the eye and tying it 

 around the shank of the hook close to the eye. It is 

 obvious that the leader will then pull as though it were 

 a direct continuation of the shank of the hook. The 

 fly will, in consequence, draw perfectly straight through 

 the water, and the impulse to fasten the hook will be 

 applied in the most efficient and advantageous manner. 

 Then notice the nice flat surface it affords upon which 

 to tie the wing, and how much more securely it may be 

 permanently fastened in place than when tied upon the 

 cylindrical shank of the old-style hook. Rough hand- 

 ling, even combined with poor workmanship, will hardly 

 twist out of place a wing so seated. 



Again, we are inconvenienced by no gut-strand or loop 

 while tying the fly ; nor, thereafter, by care lest the gut 



