56 BAITING THE GORGE-HOOK. 



of the bait and run through, bringing the 

 point out in the centre of the fork of the 

 tail. The gimp is then drawn through till 

 the bends of the hooks fit close on either side 

 of the mouth of the bait, as in the sketch, the 

 points of the hooks having an upward direc- 

 tion. Some anglers tie the tail of the bait 

 to the gimp with white silk or thread, so 

 as to keep the bait steady, and also to 

 prevent it tearing, and having the tail- 

 part injured by catching against the weeds, 

 etc. 



The size and length of the hook will vary 

 according to the length of the bait, which 

 should be from four and a half to five and a 

 half inches in length ; this should, of course, 

 be regulated according to the size of the Jack 

 or Pike likely to be met with in the water in 

 which you are fishing ; the wire should be just 

 long enough to keep within the bait, and the 

 points and barbs of the double hook should 

 project as little as possible from the sides of 

 the mouth, but should lay very close ; for if 

 the points project, besides catching every bit 

 of weed that comes near the bait, they are 

 very likely to be felt by the Jack when changing 

 the position of the bait in order to pouch it. 

 In the former case, the bait will most likely 

 have half its scales rubbed off; and in the 

 latter, if the Jack feels the hook, he will cer- 

 tainly drop the bait immediately. 



As regards the question of cutting off the 



