96 AST Or ANGLING. 



permit the shot to lie on the ground, which you will 

 know to be the case if the float lies flat upon the 

 water; when there is a bite the float generally 

 disappears, you may strike immediately, because the 

 instant an 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 then 

 separate the back bone close to the head with a 

 knife, or a pair of scissors, which should always be 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 this bone. 



Several rods and lines may be managed by one 

 angler, and, in summer, after a thunder storm, they 

 will keep him constantly employed 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 length of hard twisted twine, or fine whipcord, 

 for the line ; tie the needle to the line with waxed 



