18 BEST'S ART OF ANGLING. 



I shall treat ofjloat faking under the descrip- 

 tion of each fish. 



As for your Jishing hooks, they ought to be 

 made of the best tempered steel wire, longish 

 in the shank, and somewhat thick in the circum- 

 ference, the point even, and straight ; let the 

 bending be in the shank. For setting the hook, 

 more scientifically speaking, arming it, use 

 strong but small silk, lightly waxed with shoe- 

 maker's wax ; and lay the hair on the inside of 

 the hook, for if it be on the outside, the silk 

 will fret and cut it asunder. There are several 

 sizes of hooks, large ones and small ones, made 

 according to the fishes they are designed to 

 take, which, when I come to treat of the diffe- 

 rent fish, the number of the hook proper for 

 each will be fully expressed. 



Ford and Kirby's hooks are excellent ones, 

 but the best I ever had were from Red-bridge 

 in Hampshire.* 



Floats, for angling, are of diver's kinds: some 

 made of Muscovy duck quills, which are the best 

 for slow waters, but for strong streams, sound 

 cork, without flaws or holes, bored through with 

 an hot iron, into which is put a quit of fit pro- 

 portion, is preferable ; pare the cork to a pyra- 

 midical form, grind it smooth with a pumice- 

 stone, then colour it according to your fancy. 

 Floats, whether quill or cork must be poised 

 with shot, when on the line, as to make them 

 cock ; that is to stand perpendicular in the wa- 

 ter, that the least nibble or bite may be appa- 

 rent. 



When a float is split or bruised, there is no 

 remedy for the mischance, but getting a new 



* To make hooks, vide the arcana at the end of the 

 last part. 



