BAIT FOR THE RUFFE AND THE MINNOW. 161 



and in the fenny parts of Britain they practise a system 

 called "stanging." This is performed by thrusting into 

 the mud where eels abound, a sort of three or four-tined 

 spear, with the tines jagged like a saw, and very near 

 together. In this manner vast multitudes are caught, 

 but they are generally small. 



June, July, August, September and October, when 

 warm, are the best months for catching eels. The 

 very largest eels never stir, except in the night, when 

 they perform their gastronomical tour. At this time they 

 may be taken with small roach, gudgeons, bleak, loach, 

 worms; but the best and most attractive bait is a "miller's 

 thumb " : the eel will take this before any thing. 



23att for rtje <ttffe. 



This is an active impudent fish, and is to be angled for 

 in the same way, and with the same tackle as that used in 

 perch-fishing. He is a bold biter, and will afford the 

 young angler some merry sport. 



Jjatt for tl)c Jttmnoto. 



This is a beautiful active little fish, and may be caught 

 in trout streams with the ground tackle which is recom- 

 mended for the dace. He is, however, fit only for a trout 

 or perch bait, and affords but poor sport to the angler. 



The LAMPREY, LOACH, and STICKLEBACK, are all 



unworthy the angler's attention; and, therefore, those 

 who are emulous of such sport as they are calculated to 

 afford, ought to have the merit and felicity of inventing 

 their own tackle. 



M 



