7 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PAH T 1. 



I might here speak of many other fish, whose shape and 

 nature are much like the Eel, and frequent both the sea 

 and fresh rivers ; as namely, the Lamprel, the Lamprey, 

 and the Lamperne : as also of the mighty Conger, taken 

 often in Severn, about Gloucester : and might also tell 

 in what high esteem many of them are for the curiosity of 

 their taste. But these are not so proper to be talked of 

 by me, because they make us anglers no sport ; therefore 

 I will let them alone, as the Jews do, to whom they are 

 forbidden by their law. 



And, scholar, there is also a FLOUNDER, a sea-fish 

 which will wander very far into fresh rivers, and there 

 lose himself and dwell: and thrive to a hand's breadth, 

 and almost twice so long: a fish without scales, and 

 most excellent meat : and a fish that affords much sport 

 to the angler, with any small worm, but especially a little 



credit in his neighbourhood, from some of whom I first received thii account : 

 bat 1 bare lately bad the atisfactioa of having it from hi* own month ; and 

 therefore I think tb> nay senre to pat the matter oat of all doubt, and may be 

 ufBcieiit to prove that Eels are of the viviparous kind." 



Taking U for granted then that EeU do not (pawn, all we hare to tay iu this 

 place is. that though. our author tells us, they are never oat of season, yet, 

 M some My. they are beat in Winter, and wont in May. And it is to be noted 

 of E*l. tha: the longer they live, the belter they are. Angltr't Sure Guide, 

 p. I6. 



Of baits for the Eel, the best are, loo-worn*, loach, minnows, small pope or 

 Dearth, with O- ins rat off; piece* of any fish, especially bleak, as being very 

 lucid ; with which I have taken very large ones. 



As the angling for Eels is no very pleasant amusement, and is always at- 

 tended with great trouble and the risk of Uckle; many, while they angle for 

 other fish, Uy lines for the Eel. which they tie to weeds, flags. Ice. with marks 

 to find them by. Or. you may take a long packthread line, with a leaden weight 

 at the end. and hooks looped ou at a yard distance from each other : fasten one 

 end to the fl?s. or on the shore, *nd throw the lead out, and let the line lie 

 aoeae time. And in Dm way yoa may probably take a Pike. 



iht river Rennet in Berkshire, the Stour in Dorsetshire, Irk in Lancashire, 

 and Aokbam in Lincolnshire, are famed for producing excellent Eels : the latter 

 to so f real a degree, as to give rise to the following proverbial rhyme : 



Aokham Eel, and Witham Pike, 

 In all England is none sike. 



Bat it is said, there are no Eels superior in goodness to those taken in tl.r 

 head of the New River near Islington ; and I myself have seen Eels, caught 

 there with a rod and Hue. of * very large sise. 

 Eels, contrary to all other fish, never swim up, bat always down the stream. 



