424: MANUAL FOR YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



EEL-FISHING. 



The apparatus which is used for taking eels is exceed- 

 ingly various, inasmuch as almost every kind of hook is 

 occasionally adopted. Some of the different modes and 

 tackle have been already described, such as the ledger-line, 

 the common drop-line, the ordinary float- angling, &c. 

 These may be used with eel-hooks and strong tackle ; and 

 the eel should be landed as quickly as possible after he is 

 hooked, for the reason that he is otherwise sure to coil 

 himself round some weed or pile, or other fixed object, and 

 so set at defiance the efforts of the angler. Usually, how- 

 ever, these fish are taken at night, and the ledger-line 

 answers very well for that purpose, the hook being mount- 

 ed on strong whipcord or on gimp. The regular night 

 line consists of a long and tolerably stout cord, to each 

 end of which a brick or stone is attached weighing three 

 or four pounds. At intervals of two or three feet a piece 

 of whipcord or gimp 18 inches long should be firmly tied, 

 and armed with an ordinary eel-hook. When all are 

 baited, drop one brick or stone gently into the water, then, 



