THE EEL. 53 



enclose in a large-meshed net some carrion enve- 

 loped in straw or hay, and attach it by a rope to 

 the bank. A considerable number will be captured 

 by pulling the mass suddenly to land after it has 

 lain a week in the water. Another mode, more in 

 the retail line, is to thread a quantity of worms on 

 worsted, tie them together in a lump, and dropping 

 the slimy ball from a stiff rod into the deep water, 

 pull it suddenly up ; after sufficient time has been 

 given for the eel to gorge two or three, he will 

 find himself landed before he can make up his 

 mind to part with the mouthful. 



The most legitimate mode of fishing for eels is, 

 however, by night-lines or bank-runners ; and we 

 would suggest that for this purpose a single hook 

 is better than a double, a worm a better bait than 

 a fish, and four or five loosely-twisted strands of 

 strong hemp or lightly-twisted line better than 

 the strongest gimp. The power the eel possesses 

 of breaking anything of the latter description is 

 simply marvellous, and a single line he will as- 

 suredly bite through ; but the loose strands get 

 between his teeth. The line must be sufficiently 

 long, but care must be taken that it will not reach 

 to a rock, a post, or even a large bank of weeds, or 

 the eel will avail himself of the purchase, and 

 break your line though he die for it. 



