January 1 I-, 1893] 
THE EISHING GAZETTE 
2!) 
THE PISCATORIAL SOCIETY. 
The lialf-yoarly and general meelirg of the members 
of this society took place in the piscatorial saloon at the 
Holboru Restaurant on Wednesday evening last. Mr. 
R. S. Fennings occupied the chair, and there was excel¬ 
lent attendance of members. After the reading of the 
minutes of the previous half-yearly meeting, the balance 
sheet was submitted and approved, the reserve fund 
being Mr. R. S. Fennings was re-cleoted treasurer, 
Mr. W. T. Oalloway hon. seeret.ary, Mr. Gray librarian, 
and Messrs. T. Huggett and E. Foreman auditors. The 
following members were elected on the committee for 
the ensuing year : Mo'srs. W. B. Adlington, B. Bennett, 
R. C. Blundell, C. C. Blundell, R. E. Barker, H. Brown, 
Ur. Coates, Mr. G. l)o Coureey, T. Crumplen, 
Eelward Foreman, E. Foreman, jun , and Dr. P. D. 
Head. In the increased rate of Ihe annual sub¬ 
scription cf two guinea.s, it was decided, on the 
resolution of Dr. Head, seconded by Mr. W. B. 
Adlington, the former annual subscription of one guinea 
should continue to county members residing without 
the radius of twenty miles from the society’s rooms. 
The question of electing a president of the society came 
under consideration, and the rule of the society com¬ 
plying with such a step. Mr. Thomas Ransom Sachs was 
most unanimously elected to that position, and, on the 
proposition of Mr. dhomas Huggett, his health was most 
heartily drank, a similar compliment being paid to Mr. 
R. S. Fennings and Mr. E. J. Walker. Mr. H. L. W. 
Godwin incidentally mentioned he had fished in the 
Serpentine with Mr. Sacha just fifty years ago. A 
smoking concert was arranged for Wednesday, Feb. 8, 
and the annual banquet for the 3rd of March, at the 
latter of which Mr. Norman T. Harrison will preside, 
and Dr. Stantin in the vice-chair. The society’s waters 
were highly spoken of, and it is intended to rent another 
stretch as soon aa possible. A largo number of sub¬ 
scriptions were handed in, and the society proved to be 
in a most flourishing condition. 
CARDIFF PISCATORIAL SOCIETY. 
The second annual dinner of the above-named society 
was held on Tuesday evening, at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff, 
when a large number of members were present. The 
repast was an excellent one in every respect. Owing to 
prior engagements, Mr. Henry Lewis (the president). 
Dr. Taylor, and Dr. C. T. Vachcll (the vice-presidents) 
were unable to attend. The chair was occupied by Mr. 
R. .T. Watkins, and among those present were Messrs. 
J. W. Cundall (Bristol), W. H. Burrows, F. Leal, J. 
Manders, G. Dawkins, A. Price, H. Marks, B. Morris, 
J. T. Vaughan, J. E. Bacon, J. H. Hornsby, W. Dickens, 
Capt. Hyde, Capt. Murrell, Messrs. E. T. Roberts, F. G. 
Roberts, T. Moore, R. Worthy Blake, P. Fletcher, 
G. Griffott, Sullivan, J. Johnson, W. H. Evans, D. W. 
Jenkin.s, C. W. Jenkins, C. G. Eastern, Councillor J. M. 
Gerhold, and Mr. W. F. Harris. 
The usual loyal toasts were given from the chair. 
Mr. F. Leal, in proposing the toast of ‘‘The Mayor 
and Council of the County of Cardiff,” referred to the 
handsome manner in which the society had been treated 
by the Corporation in the matter of fishing privileges. 
Speaking of the Taff, the proposer said nature had made 
it an ideal river for trout and salmon, but, owing to the 
growth of population and the increase of manufactories, 
it had become a source of danger to the people resident 
near its banks, it being a public sewer to a large extent 
for the districts on the hills. The speaker thought the 
Council might encourage the introduction of fish into it.s 
reservoirs, as it was known that this was an excellent 
means of destroying animaloulas in the water and render¬ 
ing it pure. He coupled with the toast the name of 
Mr. R. Worthy Blake. (Applause.) 
Mr. R. W. Blake, in responding, said steps ought to 
be immediately taken to stop the pollution of the Taff, 
the Rumney, and the Ely. If the waters of the rivers 
were connected above the town drains, they would flush 
them, and render the sewers free from impurity, at the 
same time, causing the fishing -waters near the town to 
be of such a character as fish could live and thrive in. 
(Applause.) 
Mr. W. H. Buerow,s gave the toast of “ The Presi¬ 
dent and Vice-Presidents,” and, in doing so, referred 
with pleasure to an assurance given the society at a 
former gathering by Mr. Henry Lewis, that the com¬ 
mittee appointed by the County Council to deal with 
river pollution was pushing forward its work, and doing 
all it could to bring about a better state of things in 
our local rivers. The same gentleman had a kind 
remark to make with reference to the society’s dealings 
in connection with reservoirs. (Applause.) 
Mr. J. W. Ccndall proposed “ TheCardifP Piscatorial 
Society,” and stated that the Provincial Society wel¬ 
comed the secretary of the Cardiff Society, Mr. W. F. 
Harris, as a member of the committee, for he had often 
spoken words of counsel and advice which had proved of 
infinite value. The welfare of the society much depended 
on the ability of its secretary, and no trouble had been 
too much for him if he could advance the members’ 
interests. What they wanted were ijure streams, plenty 
of fish, and easy access to the streams. The Cardiff 
Society fulfilled this part of its programme most 
admirably. It took an active interest in stopping the 
pollution of rivers. There -was not a more deadly 
enemy to the fisherman than the manufactories and 
other things by which rivers were polluted in the 
neighbourhood of great centres of population. An 
angling society that had at heart the object of prevent¬ 
ing pollution was rendering a great service to populated 
districts, for river contamination was a great source of 
ill-health and epidemic. He coupled with the toast 
the name of their present chairman, Mr. Watkins. 
(Applause ) 
The Chairman, in response, said ho hoped the 
Society would extend its influence throughout South 
Wales. Ho hoped all local conservators, and public 
bodies that exercised the functions of conservator.s, like 
Corporations and County Councils, would proceed to 
erect fish hatcheries, the fish from which should not be 
charged for, but distributed throughout the rivers of 
South Wales. When the society approached the Cardiff 
Corporation in reference to the Llanishen Reservoir, 
their aim was to remove the large fish therefrom to the 
new reservoir, and stock the Llanishen one with the 
fry, for it was well known that fry would not thrive in 
waters already stocked with full-grown fish. The 
society thought the Corporation ought to give such an 
object their patronage, as it was the duty of public 
bodies to encourage interesting and harmless sport. In 
conclusion, the chairman referred to the valuable 
services ably rendered to the society by Mr. Harris, 
the honorary secretary, and in the name of the society 
presented him with a handsome gold watch, bearing the 
following inscription: “Presented to Mr. W. F. Harris 
by the members of the Cardiff Piscatorial Society, in 
cordial recognition of his many useful services as 
honorary secretary. November, 1892.” — Mr. Harris’s 
health was then drunk with musical honours. 
Mr. Harris, in suitable terms, acknowledged the 
testimonial and the toast of his health, and referred to 
the great zeal and energy with which the executive had 
worked. He thanked the society most sincerely for 
their valuable mark of appreciation of his services. 
(Applause.) 
Mr. W. H. Evans proposed “ The Provincial Angling 
Association and kindred Societies,” with which he 
coupled the name of Mr. Cundall, that gentleman ap¬ 
propriately responding. 
Other toasts followed, Mr. Gerhold proposing “The 
Officers and Committee,” to which Mr. Burrows re¬ 
sponded. 
During the evening vocal and instrumental selections 
were given by Messrs. W. F. Harris, SuUivan, R. W. 
Blake, Hornsby, E. F. Roberts, F. G. Roberts, C. G. 
Easton, and W. A. Richards. Mr. Leal gave a fine 
recitation. 
NOTES FOR CLUB ANGLERS, 
In anticipation of seeing a weigh-in of fish in con¬ 
nection with the silver cup competition, a large number 
of anglers assembled in the club-room of the Imperial 
Hotel on Sunday night. The evening passed, however, 
without the appearance of a single fish, a state of affairs 
no doubt due to the Arctic condition of the Thames and 
Lea, the two rivers set apart for the competition. 
Owing to the thaw the water.s mentioned were getting 
into fishing order again at the time of writing, and 
though anglers may have a “thick” time of it to¬ 
morrow, 1 should think a few jilumping roach and chub 
ought to be had. In selecting swims just now anglers 
should follow up the boughs, as there is no doubt, as far 
as the Thames is concerned — and the same remark may 
apply to the Lea—that the fish will seek shelter there 
this cold weather. With regard to baits, many anglers 
will rely on gentles when after the roach, but I should 
strongly advise them to use the bait which fie puutsmen 
do such execution with—the soaked crust of broad. If 
trouble is taken with this bait there is no reason why 
the banker should not be as successful as the punt 
angler, and if ho only can get into a nice deep swim, 
sheltered by a “bough,” he ought to laud at the 
Imperial with some roach worthy of the scales. Mr. 
Smith, the seci-etary of the committee, will weigh them 
in by the bushel if he can only get them, and no doubt 
the time is coming to get the fish, which must be heartily 
tired of iced -water and pea soup, and feel very much the 
want of gentles, paste, soaked bread, bullocks’pith, and 
worms. So don’t forget to have an eye to the bush 
swims, and you will delight Mr. Smith, and prevent him 
from going to Tower Hill. 
A MEETING, which Ought to be a very interesting one, 
is announced for Wednesday, the 2.5th inst. at the 
Anchor and Hope Club, the Royal George, Rotherhithe 
New-road, when Mr. J. P. Weeldon will recount some 
of his many angling experiences. A committee is 
making arrangements for the evening’s entertainment, 
which is also to include a grand .smoker, and I hope to 
see many South London anglers at the club on the 
evening in question. Whoa ! I find that vei-y early next 
morning 1 have to catch a train at Waterloo, so 1 must 
just see the lied. I shall, therefore, commence my 
“smoker” at 5..50 a.m., at which time I am down to 
depart for Hampshire with the New Albion Piscatorials 
to fish for Mr. Wheeldon—I mean the silver cup he has 
presented them with for eompetition. There may be 
many people caught napping that morning, but I hope 
the N.A.P.'s will not bo found sleeping on such an 
interesting occasion. __ 
The Gam has been open during the severe weather, 
and some nice dace have been had. A Mr. Burkett has, 
I hear, recently taken one ll.joz. 
The “society with the long name,” met as usual on 
Friday night at the Citizen, Houndsditch, Mr. H. J. 
Tibbatta in the chair. There was a good attendance, 
and I am informed that a long discussion arose in respect 
to the copyright of the members’ papers'. The other 
business was postponed until the society’s next meeting. 
In the meantime, Mr. E. S. Slirubsolo will, on Tuesday 
next, road a paper at the Battersea Friendly Anglers’ 
Club, entitled, “An Angling Tour through the United 
Kingdom.” Mr. Thomas Crumplen will bo the chair¬ 
man of the evening, and will, I understand, be supported 
by a member of the House of Commons. 
The proposed now bye-laws still continue to bo the 
all-absorbing topic in the club-room. Many meetings 
have been hold, and others are being arranged for to 
discuss the (piestion, and it is to be sincerely hoped that 
considerable alterations will bo introduced into the 
dralt before it becomes law. In respect to the netting 
vvhicli it is pi-oposcd to allow up the Thamc.s without a 
licence, Mr. W. J. Wade wrote to the Conservancy 
Board, and has received the following reply : “ Dear 
Sir, 1 beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
the Ith inst., -with respect to the proposed new fishery 
bye-laws. It certainly a,)pears from the draft that 
persons claiming private fisheries in the river could 
carry out netting iu the upper river without obtaining 
any licence from the conservators to do so, but 1 am 
unable to express any opinion as to the intention of the 
conservators on this point. I will bring your letter 
before the conservatois at their next meeting on the 
0th inst., but I may mention that the conservators have 
sent a copy of the draft to all the fishery associations 
with whom they were in communication last year, and 
before they arrive at any further decision on the subject 
they must necessarily await the receipt of the views of 
those associations. I will write to you further on the 
subject in due course. I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, 
James H. Gough.” _ 
There can but be one opinion in angling circles in 
connection with the matter of netting, and that is, that 
under no condition should the persons claiming “ private 
fisheries,” be permitted to drag the river -without a 
licence. What have the up-river Preservation Societies to 
say to this t and what have the London clubs to say who 
send their guinea.s and half-guineas to those societies f 
It scorns to mo to bo a monstrous thing that wo are to 
re-stock the Thames with fish and quietly submit to 
their being scooped out wholesale with nets. I do not 
know what the conservators have done in regard to 
Mr. Wade’s letter, but I would strongly urge the club 
anglers to consider this matter very carefully. Let us 
go any Sunday, or, for the matter of that, any week-day, 
up the Thames and we shall find many club anglers 
dotted here and there. If netting like this is permitted 
without some check, why, the long journey will prove 
fruitless, and the higher reaches of the river will bo 
ruined from an angling point of view. It will be hard 
to spend four or five shillings one day, and upon arriving 
at some favourite reach find that “my lord’s” nets 
have gone over the ground. Therefore I say agitato ! 
agitate! agitate ! It will be a disgraceful piece of 
business indeed it these persons are permitted to net 
our “national river” without a licence. It is bad 
enough that they should have the power to net it at all. 
What I should like to know, you know :— 
Why there cannot be one big united body of London 
anglers? 
iVhy the London anglers don’t speak up for sea 
fishing privilege tickets? 
0, the gallant Usher's life, 
it i.s tho best of any! 
’T is full of pleasure, void of strife. 
And't is beloved by many : 
Otbe.r joys 
Arc. but toys, etc. 
J UST now, 1 fancy, these beautiful lines could scarcely 
be associated with the London anglers. At tho present 
moment the.y are in a state of “ pye,” as the compositors 
have it. Whether their lives will bo full of pleasure 
if the conservators have their own way remains to be 
seen, and, of course, as everyone knows, there is a con¬ 
siderable amount of friction and petty argument prevail¬ 
ing amonget the fishermen over tho sizes of fish. Some 
demand this sized fish, others want that, and so on. 
Such are their joys, and I am very much afraid the 
conservators, in the midst of tho “pye,” are treating 
them as so many toys. Verily, the angler was never 
passing through such acrimonious and momentous times. 
The hard weather has driven large numbers of sea¬ 
gulls inland, and in the lower reaches of the Thame.s the 
birds have congregated pretty thickly. One flock I saw 
between Blackfriars and Westminster Bridges must have 
numbered close on 1.50. Many gulls have been seen up 
Richmond way, and their presence must have reminded 
anglers of days spent on the briny, after the whiting and 
and codling, and the dabs and flounders. By the way, 
there seems to be a growing feeling that London ought 
to boast of a Sea Fishers’ Club, and numerous suggestions 
have been made. It will, however, not be wise to form 
such a society until a reduced faie can be obtained to 
the principal sea-fishing resorts, then I think such a club 
would be a great success. At the present time tho 
ordinary angler cannot afford to pay so dearly for an 
outing on the sea, but I am sure that if the railway 
companies would only grant the privilege fare they would 
be benefiting themselves as well as the angling com¬ 
munity. _ 
The latest from the Thames ; I have just seen about 
151b. of nice roach, which were caught on Thursday, in 
the Wraysbury district. The river was then in go^d 
colour for roaching, and very little ice was about. 
Goosequill. 
