TACKLE. 17 



CHAPTER III. 



TACKLE. 



As anglers, we pay considerable attention to our tackle, 

 and it is proper we should ; for ill-contrived tackle 

 either frightens the fish by its clumsiness, or loses them 

 by its want of strength. The quality of the hook used 

 is of primary importance : good hooks ought neither 

 to break nor bend easily. It is no test of a proper de- 

 scription of hook to be able to haul in half-pounders 

 and moderate sized fish ; the moment of trial is when 

 you are playing a large trout or salmon, which exerts 

 its full vigour, and does justice to the metal. The least 

 tendency to brittleness or want of nerve will be detected 

 to your cost and disappointment. Many a fine fish 

 have we lost in the very act of landing .him, by the 

 snapping of a thin ill-tempered wire. O'Shaugnessy's 

 Limericks, which have been much eulogised, are not 

 always exactly the thing, excepting those used for 

 salmon, and of a larger description, which are really 

 excellent. We can recommend with confidence such 

 as are sold by Martin Kelly, Lower Sackville Street, 

 Dublin. They present the best specimen of the Irish 

 hook, as now manufactured. 



As least exceptionable, however, the hook we prefer 

 is the Kendal circular bend. It is of a much lighter 

 make than the Limerick, and its shape in the smaller 

 sizes more suitable for hooking trout. We advise pur- 

 chasers always to try the strength of the wire before 

 laying in a store of hooks, which they may do by twist- 

 ing it with the fingers. When purchased, let them be 



