THE FLOUNDER OR FLUKE. 121 



fully peeled, is to be placed on the hook by entering the point 

 at the larger end of the bait and threading it on nearly to the 

 tail. For this bait a No. 3 Limerick or 13 Exeter bend is a 

 good size, and preferable to a Kirby, the lateral curve of which 

 is likely to break the bait (fig. 63, p. 211.) The Shrimp cannot 

 be recommended for throw-out lines, for which the Rag- Worm 

 or Crab is better calculated, not falling off the hook. 



Flounder Spearing, There are two kinds of spears the 

 Fork (fig. 37) and the Fluking-Pick (fig. 38, p. 122). 



FIG. 37. 



The Fork should be two-pronged, 6 inches in length, of 

 square iron, the edges a trifle jagged to prevent the fish falling 

 off, and of the stoutness of a tenpenny nail, securely fastened 

 into a light stiff ash pole eight feet in length. To use it, pro- 

 cure a small flat-bottomed boat or one of light draught, and 

 sitting astride across the bow, having first placed a heavy stone 

 in the stern, propel the boat slowly up stream by help of the 

 spear in shallow branches of the river, and carefully scanning 

 the bottom you will frequently discover the fish, by its eyes 

 only protruding above the surface of the sand, when you will 

 find no difficulty in spearing it. You will also take many 

 Flounders in the same manner, without a boat, in the drains 

 and watercourses of embanked lands, and even with your 

 hands, for the fish will often seek shelter under your feet if 

 wading ; this latter method is termed 'Grabbling.' 



Calm and quiet weather, and clear water with a fine sandy 

 bottom, should be chosen for taking Flounders with the fork, 

 but for * Grabbling ' or ' Fluking ' it is not so important. 



It is perhaps needless to advise the reader to avoid a 

 stony or rocky bottom, as it must of course speedily ruin any 

 spear. 



In forking Flounders, if two hands are in the boat, one 

 should propel the boat at the stern with another fork and spear 

 a Flounder when occasion offers, whilst the bowman watches 

 the fish scuttling away ahead, and, marking where they stop to 



