Unusual thing, very rare. Outstanding condition. Has a lovely patina and would have been attached to a pole.
Eels catching was done in Britain from at least the 11th century. many were caught in the fens which was known as the 'capital of the fens'. Ely's name is said to mean 'island of eels'.
The eel pick was a long handled tool with springy tines and would be done in shallow inland waters and salt estuaries. The eel catcher would look for bubbles from the eel's fore and oft blow holes. he would then strike with the eel pick.
Eels were highly valued in the 11th C. Many eel catchers lived aboard small boats in the broads and estuaries.
