422 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



THE LONG-LINE FOR PIKE. 



In setting a long-line for pike, fix branches of small whip- 

 cord to it, about a yard in length, and three yards apart from 

 each other; the same hooks as described above appended to 

 them, and baited in the same way. The line is set in a like 

 situation to the floats, in the following manner : After driving 

 a pole into the mud, fasten the end of your line to it. Your 

 companion will now row leisurely along, whilst you lift out 

 hook after hook, until you come to the end of the line ; having 

 done so, fix it to another pole, and drive this also into the 

 mud. Do not make the line too " taut," or it will not hang 

 low enough for the pike: no floats are required. The line 

 may remain all night, and has thus the morning and evening 

 chance. 



EELS. 



As lines for eels are of course set at the bottom, a short 

 description of the way to do so may be necessary. Fasten a 

 stone to the end of the line, to which also append a branch 

 with a float the same at the other end ; the line thus lies flat 

 upon the ground, the floats showing exactly where. Eels may 

 be set for in rather deeper places than pike ; but be sure there 

 is a soft muddy bottom. Both hooks and baits must be a great 

 deal less than when setting for pike, the former armed upon 

 strong wire. Cut the fish, or whatever you bait with, into 

 small pieces, just large enough to cover the hook, and fix them 

 firmly on. I recollect catching five or six beautiful eels at one 

 haul, with no other bait than two frogs ; the legs set upon 

 some of the hooks like worm, and the bodies, cut into several 

 pieces, for the others. The drawing of an eel-line, what with 

 twisting and slime, is often sorry work ; if a large swivel was 

 appended to each hook, it would both tend to prevent this and 

 increase the chance of success. It is of little use to set single 



