356 THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN. 



reaches entirely unproductive. As an evidence of the diminution of the 

 fishery by growing impurity and the immense importation from Holland 

 of eels, the following statement, made before a Parliamentary committee, 

 which sat in 1828, is instructive. The clerk of Billingsgate Market said 

 that " the masters of Dutch eel ships a few years before could bring their 

 live eels in weUs as far as Galleon's Beach, below Woolwich; but now 

 (1828) they were obliged to stop at Erith, and had sustained serious 

 losses from the deleterious quality of the water, which killed the fish. 

 In the year before eight vessels arrived with full cargoes of healthy eels, 

 about 14,0001b. each, and the average loss was 40001b. One witness 

 deposed that he had had SOOOlb. of eels die in an hour." 



The trade with the Dutch in 1842 varied between sixty and eighty 

 boats annually; they brought about I7001b. each. Of course, it is 

 greatly increased at the present time by reason of vast accessions from 

 Ireland, and altogether comprise a very important item in public corn- 



According to Couch, writing much more recently, the value of the trade 

 is estimable at .20,000 annually, and in Billingsgate alone 10,000,000 

 of these fish are sold each year. 



The capture of the eel has been to me a source, more than once, of 

 amusement and gratification. When the equinoctials blow and the land 

 floods rise, this fish holds high carnival. In the night watches, when 

 other fish are very properly sleeping, or at least quiet, the eel is wide 

 awake, and the unsuspecting freedom of its gambols renders it an easy 

 prey to the wiles of human wisdom. During such time the chief delight 

 of this curious fish is to glide peacefully and rapidly onward ahead of a 

 sharp flooded stream, unmindful of where it runs and when it will stop. 

 Consequently, in the lesser tributaries of the Thames and other rivers 

 eels are not unfrequently taken in large quantities by properly constructed 

 nets placed for their reception. Nor is this the only method practised. 

 For those of ripe age and experience, who perchance stay prudently in 

 the mill head .and refrain from the seductive pleasure of passing the 

 sluice, or who remain in the lake and exhibit no desire to explore the 

 depths of the rushing water at the penstock, the skilful fisherman sets 

 his baskets or eel pots and lines. 



A night's eel fishing for it can only be done at night with effect is 

 therefore no inconsiderable means of enjoyment to one who possesses 

 sufficient love of sport to overcome the depressing influence of heavy 

 rains and a tempestuous sou' -wester. These same influences once con- 

 quered, the excitement of a really good night's eel fishing is worthy of 

 compare, if only because of its novelty, with the satisfaction derived from 

 howsoever good a day's angling. 



