LANDING AND BAIT-NETS, &C. 33 



The Bait-Net is made in a similar manner to the Landing, 

 but of small size, for shrimp, minnows, spearing, or like fish. 

 It should be about twelve inches in diameter by eighteen 

 inches deep, with a quarter inch mesh. 



The Gaff-Hook is found to be very important in securing 

 large fish after their strength is expended, and where the 

 landing-net cannot be.used. The hook is usually about four 

 inches in length, with or without a barb ; but as the latter is 

 the more safe hook of the two, it is preferred. The handle 

 should be of hickory or ash, and from five to six feet in length 



The Clearing-Ring is a useful article to the Angler in 

 difficulty, (for he is not wholly infallible, and will occasionally 

 have some trouble,) and as Walton says the fisher should be 

 patient and not swear, his disciples, to prevent any thing of 

 the kind, should avail themselves of this valuable implement 

 The most simple and useful is made of iron, or stout lead, and 

 is in the form of a ring of from four to six ounces in weight, 

 and about three inches in diameter, with a joint or hinge 

 similar to that in the net bow before described. It is at- 

 tached to a stout line, about twelve or fifteen yards in length, 

 and when needed is opened, placed around the line, and sent 

 down as a messenger. The reader can probably infer from 

 the name, the use to which this ring is applied ; it is found 

 very serviceable in removing any obstructions which the 

 Angler may encounter in the enjoyment of his sport. It may 

 be well to observe here that in many cases this little appara- 

 tus should only be used with the oil of " patience," so highly 

 spoken of by Walton. 



This brings us to the last item of the materials of the An- 

 gler's equipment, which however necessarily tedious in the 

 minutiae of explanation, will, we trust, be relieved by other 

 more interesting, or at least amusing, parts of the Angler's 

 instructions. 



