HOOKS. 



The most common Hook in use in this country is the 

 " Kirby, " which the reader will perceive is not included iu 

 either of the plates, for the reason, that until a few years 

 since, it has been the only kind in use, and consequently 

 its shape and construction are well known to every sports- 

 man. The sizes and numbers are similar to the " Lim- 

 erick," so that a person wishing to procure a Kirby Hook, 

 can do so by giving the number of the Limerick pattern. 

 These hooks derive their name from one Kirby, who first 

 made them, according to instructions given him by Prince 

 Rupert, a member of the Royal Society of London. They 

 vary materially in shape, being more or less kirb'd* or bent; 

 high or low in the point ; with long or short shanks, some 

 marked, and others flatted. Those with flatted shanks are 

 used in taking salt water fish only such as black-fish, por- 

 gies, eels, flounders, &c., where a hemp line is attached. 

 Those with marked or indented shanks are tied to gut, hair, 

 or other light materials, and are used in all kinds of fresh 

 water fishing. There are many cheap hooks of the Kirby 

 description, imported and sold in this country.t Within a 

 few years, an inferior quality, made in Germany, has been 

 sold at cheap rates and in large quantities to the country 

 trade. Hooks of this latter quality may always be tested (as 

 in fact may any hook) by merely sticking the barb into a pine 

 board and pulling moderately ; it will be found as brittle as 

 glass. It may not be improper to state here, that one of the 

 reasons why the Kirby hook has gone into comparative dis- 

 use, is because the Limerick, for fine fishing, is far superior, 

 and has consequently superseded them ; although the former, 



* A phrase denoting the peculiarity in all Kirby hooks, derived from 

 the name of the inventor. 



t There are many goods imported, and labelled " manufactured ex- 

 pressly for the American market," which are absolutely unfit for any 

 market. 



