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Eel prongs were used for catching eels in shallow, muddy rivers and other waters. They had long handles and were thrust down into the mud, so that the eels were imprisoned between the spikes. Eel catching was common in all counties with flat mud esturaries. Nothing is known of the origins of this eel fork, which has had its prongs cut down.

1 eel spear: metal

MERL 'Handwritten catalogue' form – 'SPEAR (EEL) // MERL neg. no. 60/5429.', MERL miscellaneous note - 'Eel prongs were used for catching eels in shallow, muddy rivers and other waters. They had long handles and were thrust down into the mud, so that the eels were imprisoned between the spikes. Eel catching was common in all counties with flat mud esturaries.'