61 
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PISHING GAZETTE 
[January 28, 1893 
sundry fine chub from the lower portion of the Wilford 
section, and Mr. J. Boyd excelled with roach at the 
upper portion of it Lob-worms have still been diffi¬ 
cult to procure, but, whilst they are most useful for 
ground baiting purposes, I should strongly recommend 
the use, as a bait, of the cockspur or brandling. A 
couple of lively cockspurs properly threaded on a No. 7, 
are not often ignored by the most fastidious roach. 
Personally I do not believe in too small hooks for large 
roaches. 
There was very little doing at Trent Lock on Monday 
in consequence of the adverse wind. At Barton a few 
gentlemen were out, and their sport chiefly consisted of 
roach. 
The Shardlow fishery is neglected, and so far nothing 
definite is settled as to the acquirement of the water by 
the Nottingham Wellington Society. But, supposing the 
society succeed in their negotiations, the fishery will 
not provide the members much sport unless it is well 
looked after. Almost anybody could fish the length 
last season, and, unless the river is extremely low, the 
barbel swims—and there are numbers of these—cannot 
be properly commanded. For barbelling the water can¬ 
not, as it were, be low enough. 
In the early part of the week a large dead salmon was 
found by Mr. H. Walker, of the New Inn Angling Club, 
Nottingham, on the banks of the river below Wilford 
Bridge. The fish, which he estimated at 201b., had been 
washed downwards by the late big water. On Saturday 
night the lessee of the Holme Pierrepont length, below 
Nottingham, surprised, with his son and others, two 
Nottingham men who were busily engaged in the dark 
cleaching for fish from the bank in the Long Higging 
meaLw. The men tried to get away, but were collared 
and marched off to the district police-office on the Not¬ 
tingham Trent Bridge. The meadow in question forms, 
I believe, a portion of the Colwick estate, and much 
credit is due to Mr. Green (the lessee named), his son, 
and assistants, for their successful capture. Mr. Green 
himself leases the fishing adjoining Colwick, and 
evidently expected a visit from the Nottingham “ light 
brigade” to his own waters. The Higging’s Meadow 
has always been a favourite hunting ground of the fish 
poacher, and it is high time the authorities began to 
deal more severely with offenders. 
FROM SHEFFIELD. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
With the disappearance of the ice and the snow broth, 
the advent of more genial weather, and the cleansing of 
the river courses usually attendant upon a freshet, 
things piscatorialar.» reviving somewhat. Daring this, 
and the latter part of last week, several small parties of 
anglers have left Sheffield and betaken themselves to the 
side of the Trent, the Witham, and the canals nearer 
home, although in no case have catches of exceptional 
interest resulted. On the contrary, sport, for some 
reason or other, was rather poor than otherwise. From 
Scotland I learn that a party of local salmon enthusiasts, 
including Mr. Frank Majipin, J P., have had rather 
good sport on Loch Tay. One of the party caught a 
21-pounder, Mr. Mappin securing four of an average 
weight each of 201b. Looking at it from a business 
point of view, one of them has discovered that salmon 
angling does not pay—that his fish have cost him at the 
rate of 11s. 3d. per pound weight. Commenting on this, 
a contemporary recalls the saying of one old rodsman, 
now deceased, who reckoned that a sovereign went for 
every pound of fish caught. But when one recollects 
that these doughty knights of the rod live three hundred 
miles away from their fishing grounds, and that train 
fare, hotel accommodation, and other expenses have to 
be taken into account, lls. 3d. per pound is no extra¬ 
ordinary large sum to pay for the delight of landing a 
lordly salmon. And then there is another consideration : 
they can well afford it. 
The sigrns of the times are encouraging. The much 
needed work of purifying the rivers and streams within 
our borders is at last being taken in hand by the proper 
sanitary authorities. The columns of criticism and 
entreaty that bav'e been directed against these officials 
in this and every sporting journal in the country is at 
length bearing fruit. In this district the Sheffield Town 
Council has passed one or two important resolutions on 
the subject, the last one being an instruction to the 
Sewerage Committee to do its share towards forming a 
Board of Conservancy to prevent the further pollution 
of the rivers of the West Riding. On Thursday of last 
week an important conference was held at Barnsley on 
the same subject, the present filthy condition of the 
rivers Dearne and Dove forming the chief matter for 
discussion. The conference was attended by all the 
leading members of the local authorities, both town and 
country. It was generally admitted that it was high 
time these streams were dealt with. Apart from the 
pollution to which they are subjected at the hands 
of the Barnsley manufacturers, the sewage and 
drainage of detached houses and villages on the 
banks of either stream find their way therein, the result 
being that, after the junction of both rivers, and by the 
time the united stream reaches the Don near Doncaster, 
it is in as bad, it not a worse, condition than the main 
river itself. The Rivers’ Pollution Act and the Public 
Health Act have in the past been grievously neglected. 
It is gratifying to know, however, that the members of 
the conference mutually blamed themselves for what 
had been done, and promised to amend their ways in 
future. This should be welcome news to Sheffield 
anglers, many of whom have, in bye-gone days, reaped 
rich harvests from both these streams. With the Don, 
the Dearne, the Dove, and the Chesterfield Canal well 
cleansed and re-stocked, local fishermen will have very 
little cause for complaint as to the paucity of fishing- 
grounds. The Rother will then be the only river within 
many miles of Sheffield that has not received attention. 
It is to be hoped, in the interests of sport, that this will 
not long have to be said of this once-excellent stream. 
FROM WORCESTER AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fithing GaaMa. 
We have now bright, genial weather, and the rapid 
thaw which set in some nine days ago brought down a 
large volume of snow water, and carried the ice out of 
the Severn very rapidly; but it will now be some days 
days before the river is in good fishing condition. In 
spite of the ice water and the discoloured state of it, 
many anglers have been out during the past five days, 
and have had very fair sport, some really good baskets 
of roach and dace were taken, and one angler took a nice 
bream of 2^1b. I understand ike red worm was the 
killing bait. I have only met with one angler that has 
fished the Teme ; he caught one brace of small grayling 
and some very nice dace. 
The “ Izaac Walton ” Angling Society held their first 
general meeting of the seaion Thursday last. There 
were a large number of members present, and the 
business of the evening was got through in good time, 
and included the election of officers, the passing of the 
balance sheet, the announcement of the winners of the 
many prizes competed for duriog the past season, and 
the arrangements for the annual dinner. The deepest 
regret was expressed all round at the somewhat sudden 
death of the genial host of the Plough Inn—“ Josh 
Beekley”—who for years has been treasurer of this 
society, and who was loved by alL A vote of condolence 
to his widow and sorrowing family was unanimously 
passed. 
FROM YORK AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Pishing Gazette. 
The ice which has blocked the rivers, almost with¬ 
out exception in this district, has but slowly cleared 
away, and traces are yet to be sean ; however, the gray¬ 
ling and pike angler may rely upon haying a clear field 
for next week, but the general inclination at present is, 
I think, to “ stay at home.” 
A correspondent writes: “The members of the 
Harrogate Conservative Angling Club are putting forth 
special efforts to make the ensuing season one of 
unusual success. Already the club has secured the 
prolific waters of the Oak Beck and other streams in 
the vicinity of Harrogate. At the present time thousands 
of ova, mostly trout, have been put into the hatchery, of 
which Mr. 'T. Cartman, jun., has the oversight, and the 
yield from these is expected to be very gratifying, as they 
are doing remarkably well. As soon as the fish are 
large enough to transfer they will bo placed in a pond at 
the rear of Oak Beck Farm, which is specially reserved; 
and subsequently they will be turned into the stream 
mentioned, as well as other w.ater, over which the dab 
exercises control. It is the intention of the members to 
hatch a still further batch as soon a.s those at present in 
the hatchery permit of removal, and there is every pros 
pect that in the comingseason some “ rigbtroyal ” sport 
will be obtainable. 
The members of the Scalby Beck Angling Club, Sc.ar- 
borough, have decided that minnow fi.shing for trout 
shall be diseontinuod except during the months of July 
and August. Dr. W. C. EverleyTaylor, of Scarborough, 
is president of the club. 
It has been resolved to form the York Centre into an 
amalgamation, to be known as the York and District 
Amalgamated Association of Anglers. Captain W, H. 
Key has been chosen president, and Mr. J. Thompson 
secretary for the time being. 
Whether this will prove a step in the right direction 
remains to be seen. At any rate, a good beginning has 
been made. At a meeting of the committee last week 
the question of adopting rules to be submitted to the 
Foss Navigation Committee of the York Corporation, 
with a view to obtaining control of the fishing in that 
part of the river Foss, extending from Castle Mills 
Bridge to the village of Huntington, belonging to the 
corporation, was discussed, the sole object being to 
prevent illegal fishing, and to improve the river for 
angling purposes. The intention is undoubtedly a good 
one, and therein lies plenty of scope for woi’k. Opinions 
were freely exchanged, and finally it was agreed : “ That 
this association seeks to ofefivTi from the Foss Naviga¬ 
tion Committee such portion of the River Foss as is 
within their jurisdiction, in order that we may have 
a proprietary right, so as to prosecute any persons 
for illegal fishing, and, that in return for this 
privilege, we grant free tickets to the ratepayers 
and citizens of York.” “ That all fishing shall be 
deemed illegal by which the fish are taken in any 
other way than by fair rod and line.” It was also 
agreed that the standard of measurement of all takeable 
fish shall be—pike, eighteen inofaee ; tench, ten ; bream, 
nine ; chub, eight; roach, dace, and porch, five; and 
“ that no livebait under five inches in length, except 
bleak and gudgeon, be used in the river Foss.” A 
further discussion ensued as to the practicability of 
adopting measures to acquire from riparian owners the 
right of fishing in the river from Huntingdon to Stren- 
sall, and the project being almost unanimously deemed 
feasible, it is understood measures for its carrying out 
will, ere long, be taken. It is, therefore, not too san¬ 
guine to hope that Ih) river Foss may even yet become 
metamorphosed into a decent fishing stream. 
FROM IRELAND. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
KERRY.—The weather here has been fine and frosty 
since last notes, but, as I write, it has changed to rain. 
Good anticipations are held of the rod-fishing, which 
opens generally throughout the country on the Ist prox. 
Salmon have been ascending but slowly up the principal 
rivers during the past week in consequence of the frost 
and unfavourable winds. The spawned fish have now 
cleared out from most of the rivers, which ave now 
nearly at summer height. I regret to say that poach¬ 
ing was carried on very late during the past spawning 
season, but a few of the poachers paid dearly for their 
work. At the last Petty Sessions at Killorglin, before The 
McGillycuddy (chairman), and Messrs. J. McDermott, 
K.M., Captain Todd Thornton, G. L. Stack, and \V. 
Spring, a farmer named Michael Sheehan, and William 
SheehaHT-another farmer, both residing at Ballinakilla, 
Glenbeigb, were prosecuted by District-Inspector H. K. 
Jones, Royal Irish Constabulary, for that they, 
“between sunset on Dec. 19, 1892, and sunrise on 
Deo. 20, 1892, did unlawfully use and have a light or 
fire, and spear in, or on, the banks of the river Beigh, 
at Coolroe, in the Killarney fishery district, with the 
intent to take salmon or other fish.” There was a 
further charge against Michael Sheehan, on the infor¬ 
mation of Constable John Scanlon, with having assaulted 
him whilst in the execution of his duty. District 
Inspector Jones prosecuted, and Mr. J. J. O'Mahony, 
solicitor, appeared for the defence. Mr. Jones, in 
opening the prosecution, stated that the case was 
brought under the 5th and 6th Viet., chap. 106, sect. 78. 
Sergeant John McBirney, examined by Mr. Jones, de¬ 
posed that he and Constable Scanlon were on patrol 
duty in the townland of Coolroe on the night of Dec. 19, 
between eleven and twelve o’clock, and observed 
a light at the back of the school-house in the 
River Beigh. When he went as far as Droum 
Bridge, he saw two men in the river with the light, 
and one of them had a spear. At a signal both men ran 
away. He directed the constable to follow Michael 
Sheehan, who ran in the direction of the old graveyard 
at Ballinakilla. The constable did so, and arrested him. 
The other man put out his torch, and he (the sergeant) 
could not pursue him in the dark. To the best of his 
belief William Sheehan was the man.—Constable 
Scanlon corroborated the sergeant’s testimony as to 
seeing the men in the river. He pursued Michael 
Sheehan, who carried a torch and spear. When he went 
about thirty yards he threw the spear away. After 
following him.for about lalf a mile he overtook him at 
Ballinakilla graveyard, and caught him. He wore a 
handkerchief over his face as a mask, and when asked 
for his name said nothing. When he asked him a 
second time for his name he gave him a stroke of the 
spear in his mouth, and bled him. He then caught 
witness, and a scuttle ensued, and witness fell, bringing 
Sheehan with him. Witness then shouted for help, and 
a water-bailiff named Shea came up and pulled Sheehan 
off him. Sheehan then gave his name.—The witness 
was cross-examined at some length by Mr. O’Mahony, 
but his evidence remained unshaken. He, however, 
stated that the blow of the spear might not have been 
deliberate.—James Shea, water-bailiff, identified both 
defendants, and deposed to coming up and taking 
Sheehan off the constable.—Mr.! O’Mahony, for the 
defence, contended that the summons did not disclose 
any offence, as it did not state that the defendants 
were in the river for the purpose of taking fish 
there or in that river. He submitted that 
it was not an offence to be on the river or on its banks 
with intent to take fish. To constitute an offence it 
should be “ with intent to take fish there, or in said 
river.” It was a case exactly similar to one decided 
by Mr. Justice Fitzgerald under the Game Acts. In 
the case referred to the magistrates convicted, on a 
summons charging a defendant with being on certain 
lands in pursuit of game, and because the word there 
was omitted the conviction was upset. Mr. O’Mahony 
submitted that the same applied in this case. The 
magistrates ruled against Mr. O’Mahony, and held the 
summons good. After some evidence being given for 
the defence, Mr. O’Mahony went into the whole of the 
cases, and Mr. Jones having replied, the magistrates 
retired, and, after a short consultation, returned to the 
bench. The McGillj cuddy, in gising the unanimous 
decision of the magistrates, said they considered the 
case against Michael Sheehan fully proved, and he was 
fined il5 and costs. The case of assault was dismissed. 
The magistrates wished it to be understood, however, 
that all cases of resisting the police would be severely 
dealt with. In William Sheehan’s case the magistrates 
could not convict on the uncorroborated evidence of the 
water-bailiff Shea. Gapt. Thornton remarked that the 
conduct of Constable Scanlon was worthy of the highest 
praise, and he requested Mr. Jones, the district inspector, 
to convey that expression to the authorities. 
At the same petty sessions John Riordon, a farmer, 
was fined 414 and 10s. costs for disturbing spawning fish 
in the river Beigh, it being his third offence of a 
similar kind. 
The sea fishing has been good during the past week at 
most of the stations in the county. Mackerel have 
appeared in large shoals at several places, and at 
Dingle, some remarkable captures have been made. On 
Tuesday between eighteen and nineteen tons of mackerel 
were sent over the Dingle railway to the Eeglish 
markets. At Castle Gregory also, large takes have 
been recorded. In south and west Kerry, the mackerel 
fishing has not been so good, but whiting and gurnet 
have been got in large numbers by anglers using hand- 
lines in Kenmare Bay, especially in the Derrynane 
