42 THE JOLLY ANGLER. 



strong whipcord with good waxed silk, binding it firm half 

 way down (see fig. 1), (your silk trolling line is better than 



whipcord for the purpose); then on it place a lively marsh 

 or other worm; put the eye of the needle into that part 

 where the line comes out, (see the cut,) and pass the 

 whole of the needle down towards the .tail of the worm 

 until the point is in ; then draw back the point towards the 

 head of the worm, so far that the middle of the needle 

 may be opposite the hole made in entering it, by which 

 means your worm is sound, and neatly fixed, (see fig. 2); 

 your rod for sniggling should be a bent piece of stiff copper 

 wire, 18 inches long, with a point, the other end fastened 

 to the two small joints of your bag-rod, or any other stick 

 long enough, say six or seven feet, thus: 



you should have about three yards of your trolling line 

 loose from your winch, which you may carry in your 

 pocket ; now this rod is only for the purpose of holding 

 your bait to the place where you expect to find an Eel, 

 which you may sometimes discover by their blowing up 

 bubbles of water; at other times they lie in small holes; 

 nothing but experience will enable you to distinguish those 

 containing an Eel: place the bait worm on the point of 

 your rod, and after letting out sufficient loose line with 

 your left hand, so as not to pull the bait off the point of 

 your rod, with your right hand direct it to the hole you 

 suspect the fish to lie in; if a fish is there, he will take 

 the bait off the rod (which is now done with), and draw it 

 into his hole; give him a loose line, and plenty of time lo 

 gorge, when you may give a moderate jerk, which will 

 stick the needle across his throat; hold the line tight, 

 keeping a steady pull, and he will soon come forth; if not, 



