THE EEL. 123 



gimp, and make a loop at each end of it ; then tie a 

 No. 7 hook to about a foot of fine gimp : at the 

 other end I make a loop ; then loop it on to the 

 aforesaid yard and a half of gimp, which I call 

 a ledger trace ; about eighteen inches (that is, from 

 the end looped to the hook length), I firmly fix a 

 swan shot ; then pass, from the other end of the trace, 

 a flat ledger lead down to the shot, which shot is to 

 prevent the lead from slipping any lower down, or on 

 the bait ; now fasten the trace to a trolling line, with 

 the same rod and winch as used for Jack-fishing : 

 bait the hook with a well-scowered small lob or large 

 marsh-worm, securely placed on 'the hook, that the 

 Eel may not be able to suck it off without taking the 

 hook in its mouth. Now, cast in the baited hook in 

 the middle of a stream, or in strong eddies, where the 

 largest Eels that feed by day are to be found, espe- 

 cially when the waters are low, or very bright j in 

 such places, a floated line does not answer, because it 

 is carried away by the current, or engulphed in the 

 eddies. 



In ledger-fishing, having cast in the bait, lay down 

 your rod (having first unlocked the winch 3) you 

 will perceive a bite by the shaking of the rod, 

 and pulling of the line ; give plenty of time before 

 you strike, for Eels will generally hook themselves, 

 if the hasty Angler does not draw the bait from them. 

 Several lines and rods may be managed by one An- 

 gler. Some Anglers make their ledger lines of fine 



