1209 
THE FIELD. 
in continuation, at a future meeting, of which due notice 
will be given. 
Now that the conversation** are commenced again for the 
winter, we hope to see a full attendance of members. 
BOSTON YACHT CLUB. 
The closing supper of this club for the season was held at 
the club-house, White Hart Hotel, Boston, on Thursday, 
the 11th : Vice-Commodore Wilkinson in the chair. Avery 
pleasant evening was passed. The supper was served in 
host Challan's usual superior manner. Mr. Jas. A. Bontoft, 
the secretary, produced a statement of tho accounts, from 
which it appeared that the expenditure and receipts were 
pretty nearly on a balance, and as there are several items in 
the expenditure incidental to the establishment of the club, 
which will not occur again, the finances may be stated to be 
in a flourishing condition. The number of members on the 
books is nearly 100, and there is no doubt next seasou will 
greatly increase this number, ns the taste for yachting is 
rapidly spreading in Lincolnshire. 
PRINCE OF WALES MODEL YACHT CLUB. 
The usual monthly meeting of this club took place last 
Monday, instead of the 25th, the day originally fixed for it. 
The members and friends of the club attended on that night 
to meet the commodore, W. Ackroyd, and vice-commodore, 
J. Ackroyd, previous to their departure for Australia, as this 
was the last opportunity they would have of testifying their 
respect for those well-known and able model yacht sailors 
and builders. 
The New Royal Steam Yacht. — By command of her 
Majesty, the new Royal Steam Yacht now nearly ready for 
launching at Pembroke is to be named the Victoria and 
Albert, and the present Victoria and Albert is to have her 
name changed to The Osborne. 
The French royal steam-yacht La Reine Hortense arrived 
at Southampton on Thursday last, to tow the French sailing 
ship, Samroo, now loading in Southampton Docks with 
wooden huts for the French army at Balaklava. The Samroo 
will take out between 300 and 400 huts, sufficient to house 
nearly 10,000 soldiers. 
[We 9hall be glad lo receive any angling information from secretaries of 
angling clubs, if they will be kiud enough to forward it ns early as 
possible to the Editor.] 
NETTING MADE DIFFICULT. 
Every true lover of our sport must, at times, have 
regretted the wholesale spoliation which is carried on by 
means of drag-nets, flues, and such other abomiuations. 
Various plans have been devised to hinder tho poacher from 
his unlawful practices, and to prevent his attempts from 
being successful ; but these have chiefly failed on account of 
indicating where the preventive measure was placed ; take, 
for instance, the common system of staking a piece of water, 
and we shall see how useless is that practice. A certain 
portion of the water, well known to be the deepest, either in 
running streams or still waters, is marked out as eligible for 
a breeding-place, or shelter for the fish, and some one is 
deputed to fix into the ground, at regular intervals, a large 
quantity of stakes, the heads of which, sometimes, are under 
water, but more usually are left exposed. Now, if the spot 
gtaked be in a navigable river, something really formidable 
must be erected, similar to an Indian or Burmese stockade ; 
but if it be only in a stream, the precaution of strength is 
not allowed to apply, and all that a few men, determined to 
have a haul of fish, need do, is to devote two or three hours 
pulling up the stakes ; and what is there to hinder then- 
doing so f Absolutely nothing. Strength of construction 
there is none ; ono man fixed them, another can dislodge 
them ! and so it goes on, from day to day and year to year, 
without a practical remedy, and the fish are harassed, if 
escaping the net, from oue place to another; while the 
angler may try all his cunning, skill, and craft, without 
effect, for the finny tribe have become shy, dispersed, aud in 
had condition. “ Well ! ” exclaims some reader, “ and what 
b to done to lessen the mischief ? ” We will tell him. 
Now that anglers are generally warmly housed, let those 
who taks an interest in the preservation of fish adopt a 
method which we saw in use last summer. Some old casks 
were procured, aud about half-filled with brickbats, and 
then headed up ; in the sides there had previously been 
driven some sixty or seventy tenter-hooks, clenched inside 
the barrel, and about eight of those were distributed over 
Minetlung approaching to five aud six acres of water : thou 
cauie the trial ; nets were brought, and dragging commenced, 
when one of these barrels was caught by the net. Pull 
which way they could, pull as hard as men could pull, the 
barrel, once caught, rolled round and round, tearing aud 
further entwining its hooks in the meshes of the net at 
every motion. Suffice it to say, such an obstinate hold had 
the hooks on the net, that after a good hours' pulling and 
humouring, the cords were let go and drawn through to the 
other side, tho barrel taken up, and a net, or rather the 
fi-agmeuts of such a net appeared, that no hurnau ingenuity 
could render it of any further avail. This trial, which we 
witnessed, proved beyond a doubt the possibility of pre- 
servin'* any extent of water by such means, aud has the fur- 
ther advantages over the stake system, i.e., one person need 
only know whore the barrels are immersed, one person is 
sufficient to put thorn in the water, and, lastly, no Jive men, 
as we saw, could draw the barrel out ot the water, except 
by using the cord which had been made fast to it for that 
purpose, all attempt with the net, or lines of the net, being 
perfectly futile. The coat is so trifling that no one cau 
demur to it : tar-barrels aro cheap enough everywhere, loose 
rubbish cau be had, and tho expense of those we saw put 
down was stated to be two shillings and tenpence each— an 
amount, we feel perfectly sure, no ono interested in any por- 
tion of a water would begrudge, aud which, if thus expended, 
would return him an interest far beyond our calculation, by 
frustrating tho practice of illegal netting, aud so far crippling 
the poacher in his chief weapon — his net — as to make him 
chary of liis visits to a water so protected. 
Old Hickory. 
THE FISHERY LAWS. 
To the Editor of Tiix Field. 
Sir,— H aving but just returned from the Crimea I have 
not had an opportunity of Boeing The Field. I am, how- 
ever, exceedingly glad to learn, through your columns, that 
that eminent naturalist, Mr. Henry Marshall, has intimated 
bis intention of causing a bill to be introduced in the House 
As I happen to know that The Field is road by several 
Members of Parliament, and nearly every master of fox- 
hounds, I sincerely hope you will bring your influence to bear 
upon the Government, to induce them to pass the bill. 
There is no one better qualified to prepare this bill than Mr. 
Marshall. He is practically acquainted with the habits and 
requirements of the salmon ; and as he is not pecuniarily in- 
terested in tho fate of tho bill, his motives for preparing it 
are fully appreciated and admired by all naturalists and 
admirers of tho gentle art. 
In speaking of the imperfect state of tho fishing laws, Mr. 
Ramsbottom remarks : — “ Let us suppose that in a single 
liver 5,000 grilse — the whole of which, be it remembered, 
have never propagated their species — aro annually caught by 
the present statute net. If permitted to spawn, 2,500 fe- 
males will deposit 12,500,000 ova; and, since calculations in 
connection with the yield of the Tay have shown that about 
one in every thousand ova arrives at maturity, it follows 
that, if instead of being prematurely destroyed, they were 
preserved for breeding purposes, 12,500 salmon, fit for food, 
would, in due time, be tho result." 
Those members of the House who will support this bill 
will receive universal thanks from thousands of poor people 
who never tasted salmon in their lives. 
I enclose my card, and am, Sir, yours, &c., J. S. 
Salmon Fishings. — It will be remembered how singularly 
unsuccessful the angling in the lower waters of the Ness 
turned out to be last seasou, notwithstanding that thousands 
of salmon and grilse were seen playing about the mouth of 
the river, and that the net-flshing in Loch-Ness was unusuaslly 
prolific. When put up for auction last week, no offer was 
made to take the fishings. The upset price was first £60, 
being £12 less than the rent paid last year, aud was thou 
reduced to £50. No offer was made, and the lettiug was post- 
poned . — Inverness Courier. 
Brecon River Usk Fisheries. — The exertions of the 
association in detecting and preventing offences against the 
salmon laws are most satisfactory ; a very large number of 
fish have been seen on tho “ buries," and many of them, 
owing to the favourableness of the season, have already 
finished their spawning. By thoroughly protecting salmon 
during the fence-months, what an incalculable improvement 
in our fisheries must take place ! 
Salmon Breeding. — The interesting experiment made by 
the proprietors of the Tay salmon fishings upon the ova of 
that fish is reported to be proceeding most favourably. At 
a meeting of the proprietors, held a few days ago, it was 
stated that, on the 22nd of December, the breeding-boxes 
contained about 400,000 ova; these, having been carefully 
protected, gave birth, in March aud April, to swarms of par, 
which have been nourished with great care and attention, 
aud are now beginning to reach the size and assume the 
silvery appearance of the salmon srnolt ; next season they 
will probably be allowed to go down to the sea with their 
brethren, bora in the freer and less carefully tended 
breeding-places selected by the parent fish themselves ; aud 
then the success of the experiment will be tested by ob- 
serving whether the increase in the number of grilses and 
salmon corresponds with the increased supply of smolt 
turned into the river. At the same meeting, the proprietors 
resolved to close the fishing season in the Tay by the 26th 
of August in place of the 14th of September, the present 
statutory period. It is sincerely to be hoped that all 
these various devices will have the desired effect of restoring 
the salmon fishings to something like their former success 
and value. 
Carlisle District Angling Association.— Last week 
numerous and influential meeting of the members of this asso- 
ciation was held in the Town Hall. The chairmau (W. N. Hodg- 
son, Esq.) stated that the meeting had for its object the preser- 
vation of the fisheries in the river Eden, and the adoption of 
some measures for the purpose of better preserving the salmon 
when in its young state, whether as fry or whiting. The 
report, which was unanimously adopted, set forth that the 
endeavours of the association to protect the fisheries had 
hitherto been successful. Several resolutions, in accordance 
with the objects of the meeting, having been put and carried 
the re-election of officers took place, and tho business of 
the meeting concluded. 
THE 5PORTSMA5TS LIBRARY. 
Fish and Fishing in the Lone Glens of Scotland. By Dr. 
Knox. London : Routledge and Co. 
Is there not in the very title of this book something that 
makes the angler's heart burn within him ? A lone glen 
a stream dashing down the rocky defile, bounding into the 
valley, there moving more soberly, ns if taking breath after 
Us rapid run down the hill-side, its surface broken here and 
there by boulders that have stood in its path for centuries, 
parting the waters, which murmur but obey— now whirling 
into huge boiling eddies, now almost sleeping in a deep 
black hole, and anon bubbling with u merry song over 
some broad shallow, where every ripple is turned into 
molten silver by the sunlight. Then again, diving into the 
dark recesses ot the lulls, it is lost to sight amid overhang- 
ing woods, where the angler cannot follow, but may only 
dream of the treasures of the deep that slumber there 
secure from Ins devices. 
Yes ; Scotland is the angler's paradise. If you doubt it 
read Mr. Knox's account of fish and fishing there. If you 
have the means and the opportunity, follow his example ! 
We will endeavour to give you some idea of its attractions, 
as described by Mr. Knox, and if we don't tempt some 6f 
our readers to seize their rods and their carpet bags, and 
take the train to Scotland, when spring comes, aim away 
into the lone glens, we shall be much surprised— they are 
not the enthusiasts we take them to be. 
According to Mr. Knox there are three kinds of salmon 
the rivers and lakes of Scotland: 1st, tho salmon 
trout, or trout proper ; 2nd, the sea trout ; 3rd, the true 
salmon. He tells us how wc may distinguish them, chiefly 
by the teeth, but into these details we have not space to 
enter. They must be sought in his hook. 
Of the trout, Scotland produces no less than seven kinds : 
1st, the dark-spotted hike trout; 2nd, the red-snotted 
estuary trout— both of which have pink-coloured flesh, and 
are excellent eating ; 3rd, the red-spotted common river 
trout, with pale flesh, and tasteless: 4th, the pink-coloured 
red-spotted common river trout ; 5th, the parr trout ; 6th, 
the dark-spotted river trout; and 7th, the great lake trout 
of the north. 
You should go well-prepared with nil necessary equip- 
ments. The materiel is as important in angling as in war. 
This should be 
AN ANGLER'S KIT. 
A short salmon rod, reel and line, from fifty to Bixtyfeot 
is the best. It must have some spare tops enclosed in tho 
butt. A basket somewhat longer than thoso in general use. 
A book containing tackle of every description used in fly, 
worm, and minnow fishiug ; choice of flies. Lastly, wrapped 
up in a waterproof bag, hose, and wading shoes. The suit 
of clothes he wears, made of Scottish plaidiug, is quite 
enough. Iu bis pockets lie will place a few extras, not for- 
getting a knife and pair of scissors. Of waterproof clothing, 
I kuow but little ; for, in tho first place, none I have ever 
tried provod to be waterproof. And yet I could faucy a 
small cape useful, if light aud not cumbersome. 
And again, 
Beware of attempting an unknown glcu without some 
food in your basket. These louo glens aro exceedingly 
deceptive, ami night may overtake you, long before you 
reach the desired resting-place. I speuk not of Highland 
glens, those of the Lammermuir aud Cheviot arc lonely aud 
wild enough. Poach not over the same streams, but go 
boldly forward to new scenery and deeper pools. Leave 
nothing to be done at the water side, but have your tackle 
ready and in the best order. He is a poor soldier whose flint 
is in his pocket on first getting Bight of the enemy. It 
answers, I have been told, well euough iu Ireland and iu the 
Highlands of Scotland, where nothing is in its place, and 
nothing is done in the right time. But it uoithor suits Scot- 
land nor England, as the reader, if au Englishman, must oft 
have discovered to liis cost. 
A good angler is ever ready and prompt, never late, never 
careless, and if anxious, he must take care to conceal his 
anxiety from trout and men. 
Mr. Knox found in Scotland, what doubtless our readers 
have found everywhere, that 
the trout is afraid of ttiunder. 
When I first fished this stream (tho water of Leith) in tho 
company of the best of anglers, I was a very young angler. 
FIELD SPO RTS A^D PASTIMES. 
Trotting Match. — A trotting match for £100 a side has 
lately been made between Mr. Levy's Bobtail and Mr. Beb- 
bington’s Charley, both of Manchester, to come off on the 
29th of January next; distance five miles. Mr. Levy is to ^ ^ .... 0 . . 
have the choice of ground, and Mr. Bebbiugton the choice of \ My friend pointed out to mo tho ground, recommeudiug mo 
ends. The weight to commence with is to be 12st each, in 
addition to which Charley will have to carry 71b extra for 
every inch he stands higher than Bobtail, which we under- 
stand is rather more than four inches, and, consequently, 
Charley's extra weight will bo upwards of 281b. 
A Bold Aventurer. — Tho gamekeeper in the employ of 
W. E. Matthews, Esq., of Gnatou Hall, happened a few days 
ago to espy a peregrine falcon in the act of getting tho 
mastery over a gull on the ground, when he stepped hastily 
forward, aud on putting his foot ou him secured the prize. 
This affords a convincing proof of tho boldness and intre- 
pidity of this species of the falcon tribe, as well as tho unin- 
terrupted avidity with which they seize their prey. 
Balaklava.- — A correspondent says : “ I wish to God some 
lovers of horses iu dear old England could come to our 
cavalry camp and see the maimer in which our men must 
feed and treat the noble beasts, which are so dear to us all, 
and which arealso very deal- to the country. Stables of course 
are not to be had iu camps ; tho rains of late have been 
heavy and the wretched auimals stand up to their ancles in 
deep pools of mud, slush, aud water. These pools are to 
them beds and mangers. The hay is (and must be) thrown 
on the ground, and gets into their .stomachs saturated with 
mud. But that is not all. The old uoHe-bags are used up- 
rotted into shreds by constant use aud exposure— and the 
rations of barley must be thrown on the ground, where they 
half swim, half sink iu the puddles ; so that tho chargers 
hare the advantage of swallowiug meat and drink at ono and 
tho same time. Why fresh nose bags have not beon pro- 
vided by thoso whom it concorus to provide them, is a 
question which none but a novice in this campaign would 
ask. Why is everything done for the beat, in the best 
possible mauner, aud with great care and ostentation, and 
why when it comes to the scratch, is there always a screw 
loose somewhere, so that the affair falls to pieces tho 
moment you attempt to work it, or gets locked in the wheels, 
or does something wonderful it was never meant to do « 
of Commons^ 1 for 'The pun osi of restoring our Salmon I The man who would ask that question had bettor make 
Fisheries. I up hi* mind to pauso very long for a roply. 
to keep woil back aud to lose no time. In a few minute 
three admirable trout lay on the bank, when suddenly all 
siKirt ceased. I could not comprehend what had happened. 
My friend now returned from the upper part of the stream 
which he had selected for his ground, and told me I might 
put up my rod aud prepare for the road ; pointing, at tho 
same time, to a dark aud lowering cloud of an iuky hue col- 
lecting over Peutland’s summit. It was a thundercloud — 
over it came, wind, rain, lightning, thunder. Then I remeui 
bered Soott’a “ Lady of the Luke," which was just published 
Pity it ever was. 
" The springing trout lies still ; 
So darkly lowers yon thunder cloud, 
Which swathes us with a purple slirouil 
Hcnlcdi's distant hill." 
Often, subsequently, have I observed this singular pheno- 
menon, the explanation of which is as obscure as all other 
physiological laws. Why should fish— trout, at least — 
dread thunder ? The more strange that it is in certain 
fishes we fiud that wonderful electrical apparatus connecting 
in so remarkable a way the laws of the electric fluid with 
those which regulate the nerves and brain oi man. 
According to Mr. Knox 
TROUT HAVE BAD SIGHT. 
Tho sight of trout cannot he very good. Iu stormy 
weather ruffling the watera strongly, aud iu heavy ram, you 
may staud by the river side and take as many trout as you 
like in still reaches, where there are neither rocks nor per- 
ceptible streams. The same happens in cloudy, stormy, 
windy weather, when the waters are clear. Along the baso 
of Mouutjoy, on the Whitwator, there is a long still reach 
as straight as a canal, which, unless the waters be dark and 
flooded; n.» angler would think of fishing; for, as m walking 
along the banks he can sec the trout, it is natural to suppose 
that they also see him ; nevertheless, iu heavy winds, though 
weather and river be clear, I have fished this reach with 
much success, taking many good-sized trout 
He is right. When a trout is lying or sailing to and fro 
