154 POINT JUDITH. 



Where the water is clear it is customary in rod- 

 fishing, which is the only scientific mode, to use two 

 hooks ; the smaller, some two feet below the other 

 is attached to a fine line or gut leader, and denomi- 

 nated without any apparent reason the fly-hook. 

 Many of the best fishermen never use more than 

 one bait, and where the fish are large and plenty, 

 one is sufficient. The fly bait is not generally tied 

 on, but twisted round the hook in a manner difficult 

 to describe. 



Lobster bait is deficient in tenacity, and has to be 

 tied on like menhaden, and probably the natural 

 squid would be an effective and manageable bait, 

 could it be provided in sufficient quantities. Limerick 

 hooks, except those manufactured expressly for the 

 purpose with a round head, are in great disfavor, 

 having a bad reputation for strength, and a stout 

 but small cod hook is usually preferred. With skill, 

 however, and plenty of line, the fisherman is more 

 to blame than the steel, for the breaking of the latter. 

 The best hook is now manufactured with a round 

 head and is fastened to the line with two half 

 hitches, the end again hitched above them so as to 

 take the friction ; and as it is carried off by the first 

 blue-fish, or in the Yankee vernacular horse mack- 

 erel, that takes a fancy to it, the angler must be 

 well supplied. 



The Bait, especially a single one, is light, but ex- 

 perienced hands claim to be able to cast it more 

 than a hundred yards, a feat that the tyro will 

 scarcely credit ; but ordinarily half that distance is 



