406 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



EEL FISHING AND TRIMMERS. 



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With regard to the Eel, if I consulted my own tastes only, 

 I should remain in utter silence^ holding them totally below the 

 contempt of the angler, although en matelotte, or a la tartare, on 

 the table they certainly are not despicable ; there are, however, 

 those who probably think otherwise, and who would regard it 

 as an omission, perhaps a slight, if I were to pass over their 

 favourite wriggling reptile. I therefore quote from Hofland^s 

 " British Angler" the following, which comprises all that can 

 be said on the subject, and is no less applicable to the Eel of 

 America, than to that of Great Britain : 



" To angle for Eels, use a strong gut line, with a light float, 

 and No. 9 hook, and bait with a large red worm; or use a 

 No. 6 hook, and bait with a marsh-worm, and let your bait 

 touch the bottom ; but the most alluring bait I know of for an 

 Eel is Salmon-roe ; and when fishing for Trout with this bait, 

 the angler will frequently take Eels, much to his annoyance, 

 if, like myself, he detests their dirty slime, and serpent-like 

 writhings. I shall say nothing of bobbing for Eels, or of 

 sniggling, as they are practices below the angler; but as the 

 largest Eels are caught by night-lines, and this method is a 

 necessary resort for the supply of the table, I shall give the 

 instructions of Daniel on this point. 



