160 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



the very peg which fastens it on the ground (a highly 

 improbable matter), can he obtain the slightest resistance 

 to his efforts; so that he is compelled to waste his most 

 formidable exertions on a slack line, and generally de- 

 stroys himself by sheer exertion. 



We have seen these methods tried over and over again , 

 and are satisfied this latter is a far better plan than the 

 other. The fishermen in Lincolnshire, who understand 

 catching eels as well as any people on the face of the 

 earth, never practise any other method. After all, how- 

 ever (unless in open rivers, where they are liable to be 

 lost), the floating trimmer, as described in pike-fishing, but 

 without the brass shank to the hook, is better than any 

 other method. 



There is a mode recommended by Daniel and others, 

 which consists in fastening several hooks at regular inter- 

 vals on the same line: but this is open to the serious 

 objection, that when two or three large eels are hooked, 

 they are enabled to obtain a purchase, by pulling differ- 

 ent ways, and will infallibly break their hold. 



Sniggling and bobbing are methods of catching eels 

 which genuine anglers will never desire to know any 

 thing about. At Ostend, thousands of eels are caught by 

 a curious, kind of bobbing. A bundle of red rags, sus- 

 pended from a stiff rod, is lowered into the water, and 

 when the eels attracted, as it should seem, by the colour 

 nibble at the rags to ascertain if they are eatable, the 

 fisherman, feeling them niggling about, suddenly chucks 

 them out before they can extricate their teeth from the 

 woollen. This trick is practised in England, by thread- 

 ing worsted through large dew-worms, and dangling the 

 concern over the side of a boat. 



Eels are sometimes speared when basking at the bottom ; 



