SPRING SNAP HOOKS. 



263 



the taking of our scaly friends. They all have their merits or 

 demerits, a diversity of opinion existing among the fraternity. 

 Some consider them " a weak invention of the enemy," very 

 cruel, and those unworthy of a sportsman's name who use 

 them ; others highly approve of them. They are not well 

 adapted for salt-water fishing where there is a strong tide, as 

 they are apt to spring before the fish bites. They are better 

 suited to lake fishing for pike, black basse, and lake trout. 

 They are preferred and recommended by some for that purpose, 

 and for fish, such as often slip the hook, will always be used to 

 a certain extent. Many improvements and suggestions have 

 been made, but none to alter materially the character of the 

 device. 



