THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 



where, if an eel is located, it will swallow the worm at 

 once ; w r hen the tug is felt withdraw the rod gently, and in 

 a minute give the string a pluck w r hich w r ill cause the needle 

 to get across the gullet or stomach of the eel and stick there, 

 when the fish may be pulled out. Another method of 

 catching eels is called clod fishing. A number of worms 

 are threaded on as many short strands of worsted, and the 

 whole made up into a cluster, fastened to the end of a short 

 cord, w r hich is thrown into the water and allowed to go to 

 the bottom ; when the eel comes at the bait, the cord is 

 lifted, and the worsted getting entangled in the crooked 

 teeth of the eel, it is not able to get rid of it until hauled 

 out, when the fish can be dropped into a can of water to 

 keep safe till killed. The clod can -be again thrown in 

 and the process continued so long as there is an eel in the 

 hole. Eels feed more at night than in the daytime, hence 

 night lines are successful in capturing a number of these 

 fish. When unhooking an eel, the plan is to put the foot 

 across the back, near the head, and sever the vertebra of 

 the fish with a penknife. It is difficult to kill eels; they 

 will show life after being skinned. It is to be hoped that 

 they don't feel pain, as some assert. 



Eel Lines, for catching these fish at night, consist of 

 strong, tolerably fine, well-twisted cord, which should be 

 varnished. To each end is fastened a weight of at least 

 four pounds, either lead or stone. At intervals of two or 

 three feet, droppers of fine gimp, or cord with a gimp 

 ending, should depend, each armed with an eel hook upon 

 which a worm is baited. Drop one end into the water, and, 

 having stretched the cord to the full limit, drop the other 

 end ; lift by a boat hook first thing in the morning; an easier 

 plan is to attach one end to a fastening on the bank, and it 



