THE JOLLY ANGLER. 43 



they are troublesome to get out, without digging or cutting 

 away the parts from which they get their purchase; this 

 method of taking Eels will answer in the Lea, and some 

 other parts, but not in the Thames, near London ; here you 

 will find Bobbing by far the best plan that I can recom- 

 mend for taking a quantity, which are generally much 

 smaller than those taken by Sniggling; you may use your 

 bobbing-pole by night as well as day, and observe the flood 

 tide (and not the ebb, as some authors affirm) is the like- 

 liest time ; the best parts for Bobbing are opposite Viscount 

 Cremorne's house, just above Battersea Bridge, and all 

 along that side of the river, till you get in front of Wands- 

 worth, and again opposite the late Margravine of Ans- 

 pach's, at Hammersmith, as well as at the mouths of 

 creeks ; the following will explain the plan to pursue. 

 Get an ash pole, seven feet long, tapering from an inch 

 and a half in diameter down to half an inch or less at the 

 small end, where there is a strong ring fixed thus, 



for the cord to run through, which should be about five 

 yards long, and strong enough; (a piece of good trolling- 

 line is the best;) one end of this line is fixed to the pole, 

 where a peg is fastened to wind the spare line round, in 

 order that you may always have the necessary quantity 

 out; the other end is fastened through the 

 bobbing-lead, (a conical piece of lead, hollow 

 inside, with holes perforated for the string to 

 come through, where you tie your worms in- 

 side, as well as one at top to fasten your line 

 to). Your bait must be prepared in the fol- 

 lowing manner : get a knitting needle, and with 

 some fine silk fasten it to about two yards of 

 strong worsted (it is only the teeth of the Eel 

 that get fixed in the worsted) ; then pass the 

 needle through each worm from the tail to the head, till you 

 have your worsted full (marsh worms are best); now coil 



