"And because you that are but a young angler, know not what snigling is, I will now teach it to you: ... you observing your time in a warm day, when the water is lowest, may take a hook tied to a strong line, or to a string about a yard long, and then into... any place where you think an Eele may hide or shelter her selfe, there with the help of a short stick put in your bait, but leisurely, and as far as you may conveniently; and it is scarce to be doubted, but that if there be an Eel within the sight of it, the Eele will bite instantly, and as certainly gorge it... but pull him out by degrees, for he lying folded double in his hole, will, with the help of his taile, break all, unless you give him time to be wearied with pulling."Izaak Walton, The Compleat Angler (1653)
Also, young angler, do not confuse sniggling with snuggling. Sniggling is a recommended technique for catching eels; snuggling with eels is strictly discretionary.
It works! 65 years ago I watched my grandfather doing this in an inland stream. He caught about 4 which his wife cooked for him. No one else in the family would touch them. He liked eels.
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