60 BOTTOM-FISHING. 



ready, as directly they are taken from the 

 water they coil up and get your line into 

 knots, which you can prevent only by cutting 

 through their back bone; you can then take 

 away the hook. May is the best month in the 

 year for taking Eels. 



Eels live a number of years, and sometimes 

 measure a yard and a half in length, and weigh 

 sixteen or eighteen pounds. 



