SOME HEAVY BASKETS AND BIG FISH 125 



'At that time Ogles, Sheridaris, and the Duke 

 of Argyll figure among the members of the Club. A 

 little later come more Sheridans : while Abercorns, 

 Streatfeilds, Bathursts and many others have up to 

 these times filled the roll of members.' 



These notes of Mr. Craven's afford much ground 

 for consideration and reflection ; and the information 

 he has supplied will, I am sure, be appreciated by the 

 fishing community. Personally, I am not cognisant 

 of any other fishing club which has existed without a 

 break for 100 years, and has preserved, unbroken, its 

 records and its history ; though of course there may 

 be others which have done so. Northern anglers on 

 Coquet side and in Yorkshire have, I am well aware, 

 old-established fishing societies which may be able 

 to furnish as ancient and well-authenticated remini- 

 scences. But if this is so, it in no way affects the 

 interest of Mr. Craven's account. 



In truth it must have been no light or easy matter, 

 at the end of the last century, to travel the whole way 

 from Northumberland to Hampshire ; and men must 

 have been keen sportsmen indeed to undertake such 

 a journey for the sake of a week or ten days' fishing, 

 even though it were the Mayfly time. 



No doubt sport was excellent, as has been shown, 

 and they were well rewarded for their energetic pro- 



