FISHING FROM PIERS AND HARBOURS. 131 
There are many forms of tackle suitable for 
throwing out from pier-heads ; but the chopstick 
(figured on p. 60) is zot of their number, though 
commonly used in this way. The simplest, and 
perhaps the best, is an ordinary leger (p. 57), 
with one hook above and another below the lead. 
Watson and Hancock sell 
a very fair pattern, which 
they call their “ Pier Won- 
der,” a somewhat modest 
title indeed. Its shape is 
seen in the adjoining cut, 
and I have nothing to say 
against it except that it 
would be a great deal more 
sensitive if the wire on 
which the lead runs were 
about twice its present 
length. These flat fish bite 
at times so shyly that it is «Dine WaNDER.” 
of the utmost importance 
to have very sensitive tackle, the more so as the 
fish is often lost unless struck immediately. 
The hook should be small, of the size figured (p. 
55), and long in the shank, as these fish all have an 
awkward habit of gorging the hook in an incredibly 
short time, and the gut is easily frayed by their 
small, pointed teeth, to say nothing of the time 
wasted in getting each fish off the hook, a process 
easily accomplished with a long-shanked hook by a 
peculiar turn of the wrist, easily learnt, but, without 
such a hook, impossible of accomplishment without 
the aid of a penknife or disgorger. A very useful 
form of trace for flat fish is sold, under the name of 
“bay-set,” by Laing, of Aberdeen. It consists of 
K 2 
