CLOTTING FOR EELS, LINES. 185 



heavy rain, when the water is coloured, or at night, for they 

 will not usually lay hold until after sunset when the water is 

 clear. In clotting you feel the bottom with the end of the 

 wire every two or three seconds, raising it an inch or two from 

 time to time, and when you feel a bite throw the Eel on the 

 bank ; in some parts a square box is used on the end of a pole, 

 to drop the Eels into, but though useful in rivers, it is cumber- 

 some to carry, and in small brooks is entirely unnecessary. 



Hook and Line. Eels may also be taken with hook and 

 line, and very fine ones in ponds into which the salt water 

 flows, often the case in land which has been reclaimed from the 

 sea. 



Half a dozen lines may be used at once, with two hooks on 

 each line, which should be tied to twisted double gut, fine gimp, 

 or fine snooding ; tie on the hooks a foot apart from each 

 other, the lower one a foot from the bottom, where a piece of 

 lead, two ounces in weight, should be attached : the best-sized 

 hook will be found to be No. 7 (fig. 62, p. 2 1 1) Limerick, and the 

 bait Garden Worms, pieces of bait Crabs, or large Rag-Worms. 

 In baiting with Worms, enter the point of the hook at the head, 

 and thread on the Worm nearly to the tail, fastening a wine- 

 bottle cork on each line, about four yards from the shore, which 

 will show you when you have a bite ; give a minute or two 

 when you perceive it, and the Eels will hook themselves. A 

 friend has taken large numbers of Eels in tidal harbours in the 

 following manner : He uses an ordinary perch rod, fine silk 

 line, large quill, or small cork float, gut hook No. 6 or 7 river 

 size, baits with a small piece of boiled prawn or shrimp peeled, 

 and strikes directly the float is taken under water. He has a 

 small mesh landing-net, into which he drops the Eels, and 

 then takes hold of them outside ; the net enabling a firm grip 

 to be taken. Eels caught in this manner are nearly all hooked 

 in the mouth, which saves much trouble in unhooking them. 

 Many good Eels are taken with night-lines fitted like a trot 

 for sea-fishing, and baited with a small fish, half a Lamprey, or 

 even a Freshwater Eel, for they are perfect cannibals ; for this 

 night-line, fish hooks are especially made with a bow in the top 

 which will admit four or five thicknesses of fine twine, which 



