80 ART OF ANGLING. 



the needle, enter the thick end of it into a well- 

 scoured lob-worm, near the tail, and carry it up 

 to the head, so that the point of the needle may 

 come out at the middle of the worm ; then put 

 the point of the needle into the end of the quill, 

 taking the rod in one hand and the line in the 

 other, and then you may guide the bait into any 

 of the well-known haunts of the Eel, viz. under 

 large stones, into the holes of banks which lie 

 beneath the surface, or in the decayed walls of 

 mills or other buildings that stand in the water. 

 When there is a bite, or run, you will feel a 

 slight tug at the line, which should be held ra- 

 ther loose, you must then quietly withdraw the 

 rod, and allow the Eel two minutes to gorge the 

 bait ; and then, by a sharp twitch, fix the nee- 

 dle across its throat ; do not pull, but hold the 

 line tight, and the Eel will soon make its ap- 

 pearance. A hook, No. 4 or 5, is frequently 

 used in lieu of a needle. 



Night Lines for Eels. 



A large quantity of Eels may be taken in the 

 following manner ; procure a length of strong 

 twine, sufficient to reach across the river or 

 pond you intend to try, then, having tied hooks 

 of rather a large size to links of hair about three 

 quarters of a yard in length, fasten them by a 

 slip knot to the twine, about four feet from each 



