THE HOOK. 33 



pull " and the angle of impact are certainly not parallel ; that is to say, 

 the line of pull does not coincide at the time of striking with the direction 

 of the force applied. Hence the remarkable popularity and unlimited 

 success of this particular design. 



In striking fish, the hook, being in a vertical position, the point thus 

 shaped obviously takes a slight downward course, and this provides us 

 with ample proof that the chances of hooking and holding are augmented, 

 if not actually redoubled. Herein lies the secret a secret not infrequently 

 unfolded to us in every-day working experience. 



As to the questions concerning " angles" of impact, " coincidence of 

 line of pull," and "directions of force applied," they involve considerations 

 too tedious perhaps too deep for these pages, and I shall pass them by 

 without further words ; but knowledge derived from experiment and 

 careful daily observation in my own practice will justify an endeavour to 

 clear up several doubtful questions. 



Now the maximum of metal consistent with the living powers of the 

 fly is not only an element of its strength, but also helps us to fish deep, 

 and admits of a more plentiful dressing in proportion to the size of the 

 hook ; a by no means " despicable advantage," where the local tastes of 

 the fish have to be consulted. A real gain arising from this extra strength 

 promptly reveals itself in a contest with a " grubbing "* fish. I certainly 

 prefer stout hooks where flies are heavily dressed on the Tweed or Usk 

 for instance ; but where fish are as shy as Thames Trout, and quite as 

 well educated as the Salmon in the Lee, I often find myself using fine 

 hooks. Of these, for the North, the best, in my opinion, are the long- 

 shanked, hammered hooks i.e., those with flattened sides, as sold at 

 Winchester by Holland. Their chief merits consist in the increased 

 depth of bend, and superior manufacture. 



The shank end of our hook tapers fairly well to a point, chiefly in 

 order to get a small head to a fly, whilst the increase of flexibility gained 

 by this taper obviously establishes a more harmonious, and, therefore, a 

 more lasting, connection between the supple gut-loop and the rigid rnetal 

 shank. 



When hooked through or near a bone, a fish " grubs "tries to disengage itself by 

 knocking the hook against boulders. 



1) 



