BOBBING FOR EELS 



bottom. How far under the dark water 

 the eels might see that flickering fire and 

 be drawn to it as moths circle about a light 

 at night I cannot say, but I think it was 

 very far, for on favorable nights it seemed 

 as if all the eels in the pond must have 

 been drawn thither. I know that fishing 

 without a fire you may catch one eel or 

 perhaps two, but you will never get such 

 numbers as come to a proper blaze made 

 of the dryest of good old cedar rails. 



In South American waters there is an 

 electric eel which can give a stout shock 

 to such as touch him; but I think all eels 

 must be electric, else why the shock that 

 one in the deep water off the pond bank 

 can send through a dozen feet of line and 

 as much more of birch pole to your hand 

 the moment he pokes his nose against a 

 bob? It tingles in your palms, and is as 

 good as prescribed electric treatment from 

 235 



