DOUBLE HOOKS. 37 



mode of striking; one by that of not striking at all, few by the right 

 means, while some find fault without condescending to argument, and 

 condemn them off-hand. 



It has been said, and in places the statement has been generally 

 believed, that " doubles " tear the flesh more than " singles " ; also, that 

 " during a fight one hook helps the other out." Doubtless these ideas 

 originate, as I will show, from the old-fashioned principle of striking 

 followed in using them. 



In that admirable and instructive work, the Badminton Library, 

 a gentleman of high angling ability a Napoleon of the " Overhand " 

 observes : " Long before the question as to the advantage of striking from 

 the winch when using double hooks was discussed in the Sporting Press, 

 I had given the double hook plan an extensive trial, but I lost so many 

 fish with them that I gave them up." And in a letter to the " Fishing 

 Gazette" the same authority goes on to remark: "All I said about 

 double hooks (he was referring to a former letter) was that I had not been 

 successful with them, and that, perhaps, this was in consequence of my 

 not having adopted Mr. Kelson's plan of striking from the winch." I 

 call attention to the word " perhaps " italicised here, as showing the care 

 and judgment of the original writer on the subject. 



But, on the other hand, Colonel Richardson throws an interesting 

 side-light on the situation by a rather significant statement made in a 

 letter to me to the effect "that the success of double hooks is in propor- 

 tion as the means applied are adequate or inadequate. I never liked 

 double hooks till I bought your winch at Farlow's, but I get a lot of fish 

 with them now, and hardly ever miss one when I limit myself to size. 

 A 2-0 hook is my largest." 



Whilst endeavouring to remove the general stigma which these 

 hooks have long borne, I shall hope not to offend the susceptibilities of 

 any gentleman who does not concur in my opinion. 



Now I am perfectly ready to admit that the value of certain fishing 

 inventions call them " novelties " if you will can be very easily 

 estimated ; but anyone can see with half an eye that the questions 

 touching on double hooks are not to be decided in a dining-room. Not 

 even at the river-side can they be judged effectually without much 



