122 THE angler's guide. 



or small brandling : let the baited hook lay on the 

 ground, which you may tell is the case if the float 

 lies upon its side on the water, instead of standing up- 

 When Eels bite, they will draw the float under water j 

 there let it remain a moment, then strike, and lift or 

 weigh out your prize. If you put more than one hook 

 on your line, place them about a foot apart. — ^Note, im- 

 mediately you get an Eel on shore, clap your foot on 

 it, and there keep it, till you have separated its back- 

 bone with a knife, or a pair of scissors, which you should 

 always have ready, when fishing for Eels -, for imme- 

 diately an Eel is taken from the water, it coils up, 

 and twists your line in numerous knots, which can 

 only be prevented by cutting through its back-bone -, 

 you may then take away the hook without danger. 



The body of Eels is covered with a slimy mucous 

 substance, so that you cannot hold them in your hand 

 until they are disabled 3 for which purpose, I find sharp- 

 pointed scissors more useful than a knife ; and, as 

 Eels generally gorge the baited hook, therefore, without 

 much care, if you use a knife to lay open the Eel's 

 throat, &c., you are likely to cut the gut, or whatever 

 the hook may be tied to 3 but if you enter one blade 

 of the scissors inside of the Eel's mouth, the other on 

 the outside, and cut down to where the hook lodges, 

 you may dislodge it, without cutting the material to 

 which it is tied. 



Ledger lines may be used with much success in fish- 

 ing for Eels, both by day and night, if fitted up as 

 follows : first, take a yard and a half of tolerable fine 



