192 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



part of Angling, than a week's discourse. I shall 

 therefore conclude this direction for taking the Eel, 

 hy telling you that, in a warm day in summer, I 

 have taken many a good Eel hy Sniffling, and have 

 been much pleased with that sport. 



And because you that are but a young Angler, 

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

 you. You remember I told you that Eels do not 

 usually stir in the day-time, for then they hide 

 themselves under some covert, or under boards or 

 planks about flood-gates, or wears, or mills, or in 

 holes in the river-banks : so that you, observing 

 your time in a warm day, when the water is low- 

 est, 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 conveniently : and it is scarce to be 

 doubted, but that if there be an Eel within the 

 sight of it, the Eel will bite instantly, and as cer- 

 tainly 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 time to be wearied 

 with pulling, and so get him out by degrees, not 

 pulling too hard. 



