270 THE YOUNG ANGLER. 



viz., by rod and line, night and dead lines, sniggling, bobbing, and 

 trimmer fishing ; and the most alluring baits are wasp-grubs, mag- 

 gots, and small red worms. If you use a rod, the line must be 

 either of strong gut or twisted hair, and the hook No. 8 size. Let 

 the bait touch the bottom, and when you perceive a bite, allow the 

 float to remain for a moment under water before you strike. When 

 using the dead line, which should be of whipcord, a 

 bank runner must be employed ; five or six hooks 

 should be put on the line about nine inches asunder, 

 and they should be baited with small fish or lob- 

 worms, as the latter remain on the hook alive for a 

 considerable time. 

 For sniggling, the line must be either of platted silk or whipcord, 

 and instead of a hook a stout worsted needle should be fastened by 

 its middle to the line. A large marsh or small lob worm, tough and 

 well scoured, is the best bait for this species of fishing, and when 

 you bait your needle you must thrust its point into the worm's head, 

 and draw it through the body of the worm until the latter completely 

 enshrouds it. When you go out sniggling you should carry the 

 line on a winder in your hand, and search for the fish near flood- 

 gates, wharves, bridges, piles, holes in the banks of rivers, ponds, 

 and canals, and also in ditches, and amongst osiers and willows. 

 You must put the bait into the lurking-holes by means of a stick 

 with a forked head, and when you find that the bait is taken, by the 

 line being pulled further into the hole, give the fish a few seconds to 

 gorge, and then strike smartly, which will instantly cause the hook 

 to fall across in his stomach ; then hold the line fast and pull it 

 towards you. Bobbing for eels is thus practised : a large quantity 

 of marsh- worms should be procured, and as many as will make a 

 bunch about the size of a turnip, strung on worsted by passing a 

 needle through them from head to tail, and fastening them on your 

 line, so that all the ends may hang level ; affix in the middle of the 

 bunch a leaden plummet of a conical form, and then tie the whole to 

 a stout rod or pole. Having thus prepared your material, cast 

 your bait softly into the water, and move it gently up and down 

 until you perceive by the jerks on the line that the eels are attracted 

 by the bait ; then draw the line very steadily to the surface, and 

 land it with all possible expedition. During warm weather the 

 shallow parts of the stream are the most likely haunts of these fish, 

 and where most sport may be obtained. 



The eel-spear is also commonly used in ta.king eels, but as this 

 requires more strength than art, it needs no description, for it is 

 only used generally by fishermen who look for profit, and care 

 nothing about the sport. But the great bulk of the eels caught in 

 this country are taken in traps set in the weirs of rivers, when the 

 eels run in toe floods and freshes which are so common to all our 

 rivers. Though he is so delicious when cooked, very few anglers 

 really care about catching him, nor are they ever surprised at finding 

 him on the hook, let them be fishing for whatever they may, with 

 small bait. 



