32 BROADLAND SPORT 



once more following the dyke to the landing-stage. The 

 short tramp home awakens us too much to our liking, and 

 when we do get between the sheets we have some difficulty 

 in obtaining the sleep we so much desire. 



Next morning, after a substantial breakfast, we go to the 

 landing stage to view the catch of last night. Two or three 

 bucketfuls of water had been thrown into the boat, the bottom 

 of which now looked alive with slimy, scriggling eels varying 

 from the size of a lead pencil to the one a pound in weight 

 before mentioned. In all there were some five or six stone 

 no unworthy catch, my masters, considering the time spent in 

 bobbing. 



Having taken sufficient eels to suffice for home consump- 

 tion we presented the rest to the old marshman, who informed 

 us that he stored them in trunks until he had a sufficient 

 quantity to send to the London markets, where they brought 

 him from 3d. to 6d. per pound. 



Such is a description of bobbing in Norfolk and Suffolk 

 waters. The sport varies in accordance with the district, the 

 time of year and the state of the weather. Almost anywhere 

 in Norfolk bobbing may be indulged in, and at almost any 

 time, except when the eels are embedded in the mud during 

 the winter months. 



Not much skill is required to take some eels by the process 

 of bobbing, but the more one sees of the sport the better is one 

 likely to appreciate it and become a strong advocate in its 

 favour. On saltings good bobbing can be obtained, and the 

 eels form an excellent dish the discussion of which some 

 consider by no means the least enjoyable part of the business. 



Although there are several kinds of eels, the two species 

 most abundant in Broadland are the Sharp-nosed Eel 

 (Anguilla Acutorostris) and the Broad-nosed Eel. The 

 former is much appreciated for table, but it is not so 

 voracious, nor does it attain so large a size as the other 

 species. It is mostly taken by the eelmen in nets, which 

 are stretched across the river in various parts of Broadland, 

 and are called " eel setts." At certain periods of the year, 



