160 The Complete Angler 



tree ; or by throwing a string across the stream, with 

 many hooks at it, and those baited with the aforesaid 

 baits ; and a clod, or plummet, or stone, thrown into 

 the river with this line, that so you may in the morn- 

 ing find it near to some fixed place ; and then take 

 it up with a drag-hook, or otherwise. But these 

 things are, indeed, too common to be spoken of; and 

 an hour's fishing with any angler will teach you 

 better, both for these and many other common 

 things in the practical part of angling, than a 

 week's discourse. I shall therefore conclude this 

 direction for taking the Eel, by telling you, that in 

 a warm day in summer, I have taken many a good 

 Eel by Snigling, and have been much pleased with 

 that sport. 



And because you, that are but a young angler, 

 know not what Snigling is, I will now teach it to 

 you. You remember I told you that Eels do not 

 usually stir in the daytime ; for then they hide 

 themselves under some covert ; or under boards or 

 planks about flood-gates, or weirs, or mills: or in 

 holes on the river banks: so that you, observing 

 your time in a warm day, when the water is lowest, 

 may take a strong small hook, tied to a strong line, 

 or to a string about a yard long ; and then into one 

 of these holes, or between any boards about a mill, 

 or under any great stone or plank, or any place 

 where you think an Eel may hide or shelter herself, 

 you may, with the help of a short stick, put in your 

 bait, but leisurely, and as far as you may con- 

 veniently; and it is scarce to be doubted, but if 

 there be an Eel within the sight of it, the Eel will 

 bite instantly, and as certainly gorge it ; and you 

 need not doubt to have him if you pull him not out 

 of the hole too quickly, but pull him out by degrees ; 

 for he, lying folded double in his hole, will, with 

 the help of his tail, break all, unless you give him 



