82 ANGLING. 



for this practice is the gorge-hook, which is an instrument 

 of somewhat deadly appearance, as will be seen by the an- 

 nexed engraving, (fig. 20.) A is a double hook, brazed back ; 

 B is the lead cast over the shank of the hook, and enclos- 

 ing a twisted wire shank, which protrudes more or less, 

 and ends in a loop, C, to which three or four feet of gimp 

 is attached. Gimp, I may mention, is highly essential in 

 trolling, as gut is quickly frayed and cut by the weeds and 

 repeated casting. There are two or three cautions neces- 

 sary to be given to the young troller. It is desirable that 

 sufficient lead should be attached to the hook to sink the 

 bait without the addition of any further sinkers. The 

 lead should not touch the bend of the hook, as is some- 

 times the case, but should be left as in the engraving, A, 

 so that the lips of the bait may close over it, as at F. To 

 bait the hook, the loop of the gimp, E, is placed in the eye 

 of the baiting-needle, G. The needle is then passed through 

 the mouth of the bait, and brought out as near the centre 

 of the tail as possible. The needle is then passed sideways 

 through the tail at H, about the third of an inch, or less, 

 from the end, and this, when drawn tight, so that the 

 mouth of the fish rests upon the bend of the hook, forms 

 the half knot, shown at C, by passing the needle through 

 the loop. This plan is now generally adopted in preference 

 to the older plan of tying the tail with white silk to the 

 gimp, and stitching up the mouth of the fish. It will be 

 seen that the tail of the fish is cut short, as shown at H. 



Another form of gorge-hook, or rather, one amongst a 

 number of others, has recently been introduced by Mr Ber- 

 nard, of Church Place, Piccadilly, which, I think, is an im- 

 provement on any of the old forms. I have not yet had 

 an opportunity of trying it, but, as will be seen from the 



