132 THE anglek's guide. 





Places where large Eels lie, and the way to take them. 



During t^he Spring and Summer months, especially 

 when the water, in rivers, lakes, ponds, ditches, &c., 

 is much decreased, is the time to expect most sport by 

 sniggling ; for, at such times. Eels lie in holes in the 

 banks of rivers, and other waters, not far below the 

 surface, and between the planks of wharfings, the 

 boards that form the aprons of mill-tails, and be- 

 tween any planks and boards about woo den -ridges, 

 and flood-gates 3 under and between large stones about 

 mill-pools, and also in ditches which are nearly dry, 

 and have communication with rivers and streams. 

 The places in the banks proper to offer a bait at, may 

 be known by observing holes, some nearly as large 

 as rat holes, and some smaller. While sniggling, 

 present your bait to every hole and crevice you meet 

 with, a little below the surface of the water. Some- 

 times, after you have hooked an Eel, it will prove too 

 large to be pulled out, recourse is then had to dig- 

 ging him out, if in a bank 3 if between boards or 

 planks, it is often found necessary to saw or force 

 asunder those obstructions. Having met with a place 

 likely to contain an Eel, bait the needle as before di- 

 rected j hold it in your left hand, and fix the point of 

 the wire, or the point of the bent rod, lightly into the 

 worm, at the tail end, and convey the head end of the 

 worm just within the hole or crevice, where you 

 suspect an Eel lies, (all the while holding the line in 



