EEL. 79 



the float lies flat upon the water ; when there is 

 a bite the float generally disappears, you may 

 strike immediately, because the instant a Eel 

 takes the bait into its mouth it swallows it. When 

 you have hooked one lift it out directly and put 

 your foot upon it, and there keep it, until you 

 have separated its back bone with a knife; or a 

 pair of scissors, which you should always have 

 at hand when fishing for Eels ; for immediately 

 an Eel is taken from the water, it coils up and 

 will tie innumerable knots upon the line, unless 

 prevented by cutting through its back bone. 



Several rods and lines may be managed by 

 one angler, and, in summer time, after a thun* 

 der storm, they will keep him constantly em- 

 ployed in taking them from the hooks. 



Sniggling for Eels. 



To sniggle for Eels, procure a strong top rod, 

 or a long slender hazel stick ; slip a small quill 

 over the taper end, leaving the extreme end of 

 the quill whole ; a tailor's button needle, or a 

 stocking needle not more than two inches long, 

 is also requisite, and a piece of hard-twisted 

 twine or fine whipcord for the line. Tie the 

 needle to the line with waxed silk, first laying 

 the end of the line nearly half-way down the 

 needle, the line will then hang from about the 

 middle, leaving the smaller end bare. To bait 



