THE 



COMPLETE ANGLER'S 



VADE-MECUM. 



Of the Hook. 



E first object that comes under notice is die hook. 

 Those generally used in angling are classed under 

 ten sizes: No. 1, being die largest, and No. 10, the 

 smallest (See Plate I. Fig. 1). They should be of good 

 steel, of an oven thickness all dieir length, from the 

 butt, where the line fastens on, to die chip, where the 

 barb or beard is cut out. 



The point should be perfectly upright, and not stand 

 out, as eel hooks ought to do ; the beard ought to be 

 prominent, but not cut so very deep as to weaken it at tke 

 place where it joins under the point. 



The back of the shank is sometimes grooved horizon* 

 tally, for die purpose of whipping on the line more firmly. 

 Such are to be preferred ; though a careful person will 

 fasten his line very sufficiendy widiout such aid. 



Opinions are divided as to the best form of a hook -, 

 many prefer the Kirly, which has its point bent a litde 

 to one side, so as not to stand in an upright line, parallel 

 to the stem. The faults imputed to the Kir by are, that it 

 often fails in the striking'; and that it makes too large a 

 B cut> 



