FISHES AND FISHING. 149 



in the teeth of the eels, but it is more probable, that 

 their voracity induces them to hold on to the worms 

 till out of the water. This same method may be 

 practised from the shore. 



Sniggling is another method of taking large eels, 

 during hot weather, in the middle of a bright 

 day, which is thus performed. A stout needle, not 

 too long, the eye broken off and ground to a point, is 

 prepared; to the middle of this needle, point up- 

 ward, a piece of fine gimp about a foot long is to be 

 neatly whipped, so as to leave the greatest portion of 

 the needle free, the gimp to have a loop at the other 

 end ; a small bent pointed wire is to be fixed into a 

 piece of wood, made to fit the ferule into which the 

 top joint of a light rod enters ; the gimp is to be made 

 fast, by a water knot, to a stout platted line, on a 

 bank-runner, a maiden lob-worm is then to be drawn 

 up on the needle, beginning a little below the head, 

 and leaving a porton of the tail loose ; the pointed 

 wire is then to be inserted where the needle enters 

 near the head of the worm, and by adding or dimi 

 nishing the joints of the rod, the worm can be guided 

 a very little way into a hole in the bank, or between 

 piles, or holes in planking, or any place where it is 

 likely an eel has domiciled himself. Withdraw your 

 fine bent wire after you have deposited your worm, 

 of which you must not lose sight ; if an eel be there , 



