February 11, 1893] 
THE FISHING GAZETTE 
97 
IProvincial Botes 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
On Thursday evening, the 2nd inst., the committee of 
the Birmingham Association met at the headquarters, 
when business of importance was transacted, the com¬ 
mittee unanimously affirming the principle laid down by 
Mr. C. White, for the obtaining of a silver challenge 
cup to be fished for annually by the members of the 
association. The meeting was well attended, Mr. T. 
Ooles presided, and Mr. J. A. Dance occupied the vice- 
chair. A donation of one guinea was ordered to be 
forwarded to the Sutton testimonial, after which Messrs. 
Dance and Coles gave in a report of their visit to the 
t^neen’s Arms Inn, Queen's-road, Aston, the house 
where the Ring of Bells Society wish to hold their future 
meetings. The report was in every way satisfactory, and 
the inn was strongly recommended by the visitors to the 
committee as a suitable place for the club to hold their 
meetings at. The report was adopted, and the removal 
sanctioned. The usual visiting fee was ordered to be 
paid by the club. The challenge cup business was next 
taken, when Mr. White spoke to the advisability of the 
association becoming possessed of a challenge cup; 
other members spoke upon the matter, all being in 
favour of the projected scheme, when, finally, it was 
resolved that the principle as laid down by Mr. White 
for the acquiring of a challenge cup to be fished for 
annually, be affirmed, and, further, that a sub-com¬ 
mittee of five be appointed to draw up a circular in 
detail and submit it to the various clubs, and that the 
matter be discussed at a special general meeting. The 
five following gentlemen, to act in conjunction with the 
secretary, were duly appointed, viz., Messrs. Coles, 
Dance. Allen, Cottrell and Hughes. The motion of Mr. 
C. Holloway re the association increasing its subscrip¬ 
tion, and that the surplus funds over the ordinary 
subscription go towards e.stablishing a fund for the 
preservation of specimen fish caught by the members, 
was discussed, after which it was resolved that 
the matter be left in the hands of the delegates, 
and that it be brought before the special general meet¬ 
ing. The Convivial Society having got into difficulties, 
it was resolved that two of the visiting committee be 
appointed to pay the club a visit, and report at the next 
meeting of the committee. This concluded the business 
of the meeting. 
The divisional committee of the Benevolent Society 
visited the Ladywood Society on Monday evening for 
the purpose of laying the benefits of the society before 
the members, who, through a misunderstanding, had not 
availed themselves of the privilege of joining. Messrs. 
Coles, White, Marsden, and Reynolds addressed Ihe 
members, after which a discussion ensued respecting 
two members of the Sparkbrook Society applying for 
relief and being refused. The depirtation informed the 
club that they, the club, were misinformed upon the 
matter as no application had been made by the persons 
in question. The explanation was acceirted, after which 
certain of the members gave in their names as wishing 
to join the society. A vote of thanks was accorded to 
the deputation for the able manner they had placed the 
benefits of the society before the members. 
Very little sport has been had since my last notes 
were despatched. Although a great number of anglers 
have been out, the rivers are reported to be out of con¬ 
dition, and a good few anglers have gone out long dis¬ 
tances up the Severn and Avon, and upon their arrival 
have found the water like pea-soup, and the meadows 
flooded to such an extent that fishing was out of the 
question, and they have had to return water beaten. 
On the River Anker matters have been very bad and the 
river still remains unfishable, so the St. George’s 
members have had to be content with the Fazeley Pools, 
where they have been taking a few jack, but nothing 
over 3^1b. weight. We are still having cold windy 
weather, which prevents a many from turning out. 
The Tenby Piscatorials had a rare jolly night on 
Wednesday, Feb. 1, a rare programme being submitted 
to the members and their friends by the president, Mr. 
G. King. Messrs. Yardley and his company gave some 
first-class mandoline, banjo, and concertina solos, and 
Messrs. Day, Cottrell, and Tom Andrews contributed 
towards the vocal portion of the entertainment. These 
concerts take place on the first Wednesday in each 
month, when the members will be pleased to welcome 
anyone from the kindred societies. 
A select vocal and instrumental concert will be held on 
the 12thinst.,attheBirmingham Arms Hotel, Smithfield. 
The programme will consist of sacred music, vocal selec¬ 
tions, and readings. The following gentlemen have 
promised to appear, namely—Professor Cauldfield and 
family; Messrs. Yardley, Evans and Harper, Mr. H. 
Saunders, Mr. W. Gamwell, and Mr. F. Stokes. 
During the evening a collection will bo made on behalf 
of the Birmingham Anglers’ Benevolent Society. 
FROM DERBYSHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Since Saturday, the weather has been very fine, 
Monday and Tuesday being specially so for this season 
of the year, though to-day (Wednesday), is cold and 
blustering, with passing showers. With the waters in 
this condition, angling has been practically out of the 
question with any great hope of success up to to-day, 
while to-day the strong wind made matters almost as 
bad. As a matter of fact, but few anglers have been 
out, or at hast I have not come across them, nor heard of 
any capture of importance. I chronicled the fact last 
week, that an angler had taken 4Glb. of fish in the 
Weston reach; the weight of fish was correct, but the 
fish were all pike, not one pike and the rest a mixed 
lot, though this was the report made to me. In any 
view it was a capital catch, one of the best of the season 
in fact, though none of the fish wore specially large. 
Other anglers on the Western water have also met with 
fair success among the pike, and so far as that fish is 
concerned, there is not much reason at present for 
grumbling. The giant pike, noted last week as being 
located below Weston Cliff, has now increased from 401b. 
to 5()lb. in weight —at least so the angler said who was 
last “ into ” it. I have not seen the fish myself, but I 
believe that there is a pike of abnormal size in the 
water, and so far as I have been able to ascertain, it has 
been known for years. Some one may catch it yet. 
Dwellers about Weston Cliff, and the angling fraternity 
who frequent the reach, are quite enthusiastic over it. 
There are three very large pike at present lying at the 
junction of the Derwent with the Trent. The best of 
these is a fish of apparently 2.51b., not a long, but an 
extremely thick, fish with a very broad back. A pike of 
121b. was recently taken not far from here, in the Pride 
of Derby water. This is one of the largest fish taken 
for some time, and was an excellent specimen. 
The diseased salmon recently seen in the Derwent 
below Wilne Wtir have now disappeared, the probability 
being that the fish have gone down with the recent 
flood. It is the best thing that could have occurred, 
provided the fish have strength to reach the sea. To¬ 
day I could see no signs of any of them, though the day, 
owing to the high wind and somewhat discoloured water, 
was unfavourable for observation. None of these fish 
spawned, which is an extremely unfortunate circum¬ 
stance as we can ill spare a single ovum. Ova are at 
present worth their weight in gold to the Trent, whose 
existence as a salmon river of any degree of excellence 
is in serious jeopardy. I have as yet seen no fresh run 
fish, but I am informed on what should be excellent 
authority that some fish have been seen “picking,” to 
use the local phrase, in the Beeston district. They can 
hardly be kelts, and I see no reason, considering the 
excellent condition of the water for running, why they 
should not be fresh run “springers.” Trout fishing 
opened on the 2nd inst., but it will be at least April 1 
before the fish are in anything like condition. Many of 
the fish have not yet spawned. This, of course, seems 
extremely late, but I was informed on Tuesday by a 
well-known Derbyshire angler that some of the best 
spawn his club ever obtained for its small hatchery was 
taken from a trout on Feb. 14, so that there is nothing 
specially abnormal in this season, so far as Derbyshire 
waters are concerned. The Trent Board has under 
serious consideration the proposal to extend the season 
for a fortnight, say until Oct. 1-5. By the 1871) Act, the 
trout season may be varied by a special bye-law of any 
Board of Conservators provided tbe season does not 
close before Sept. 2, nor be extended beyond Nov. 2, 
and the close season must extend for 123 clear days. 
Advantage has been taken of this power in various rivers, 
the Eden, the Dee, the Coquet, and the Derwent (Cumber¬ 
land), being notable examples. If, therefore, the Trent 
Board does extend the season (and its decision rests 
entirely with the anglers of Derbyshire), it must also 
extend the close season. Derbyshire trout are, accord¬ 
ing to the best authorities, in good condition by May, in 
better condition by June, at their prime in July, after 
which month they begin to go back until by October they 
are hardly worth taking in the generality of cases. In 
view of this, which, I believe, is a correct statement of 
the case, and the further fact that trout vary as to con¬ 
dition and time of spawning in the different streams of 
the locality, the Trent Board would be well advised if it 
merely exiended the close season for a month without 
any extension of the open season at all. This has been 
done in several districts, the Kent, the Dart, the Wye, 
and the Tovey being so regulated, while on the Avon 
and Stour (save above Amesbury, where the date is from 
October 15) the close season is from October 1 to 
March 31, two months above the time required by law. 
The matter will probably come up for consideration at 
the general meeting of the board in March, but the deci¬ 
sion rests, as I have said, entirely with the anglers in 
the county. 
Mr. T. Wood, of Nottingham, the lessee of the King’s 
Mills and Weston Fishery, has, I hear, taken from Lord 
Donnington, the Shardlow water, extending from the 
Midland Railway Bridge below Weston to where the 
Pride of Derby water begins, not far above the Long 
Horse Bridge above Sawley. Though himself a member 
of the Wellington Club, he is, I understand, to sublet it 
under somewhat severe restrictions to that society. 
Many anglers, formerly subscribers on the Weston reach, 
when they heard of the probability of the Wellington 
Club obtaining a lease of the water, had made up their 
minds to join the club, as considerable dissatislaction 
prevailed amongst the subscribers, their principal griev¬ 
ance being that the use of boats was prohibited. As, 
however, my information is to the effect that one of the 
terms of the sub-lea.se stipulates that there is to 
be no fishing from boats, _ the intending members 
will probably not join the society. The prohibition of 
boat fishing is justified on the ground that the use of 
boats would be to the disadvantage of the poorer 
members of the club ! As the entrance fee to the 
Wellington is either lOs. or £1 (i am not quite sure 
which), and the club is, I believe, a,“<>J, per week” 
one, the reason given for the prohibition is rather far¬ 
fetched. Your Nottingham correspondent will probably 
have something to say on the point. 
The report of the engineers on the results of the 
experiments on the Derby sewage has, I hear, been 
issued, but it has not yet been made public. Fi’om what 
I can gather it is not very favourable, and several other 
methods are to have a trial. It is to be hoped that some 
real benefit will eventually accrue to the Derwent. 
The monthly meeting of the Beaconsfield Conservative 
Angling Club was held last week in Derby. It was 
announced at the meeting th,at all the fishing permits 
had, through the kindness of the patrons of the club, 
been renewed for the present season, and that some 
miles of water were thus open to members. In .addition 
to the Willington water the club is, I believe, en¬ 
deavouring to secure another stretch. In addition 
to the Haslam cup, several other valuable iirizes are to 
be open to competition next year. The membership of 
the club is now over 100, and it is in every way in a 
flourishing and satisfactory condition. 
Should no more rain fall, the rivers should be in 
condition for good fishing by to-morrow (Thursday), 
but with the present high wind, the prospects are a 
little uncertain. _. 
FROM FEN DISTRICT (LINCOLNSHIRE). 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Excellent sport continues to be had on all the pike 
streams in the Fen District, and since my last notes were 
despatched, I have received particulars of some heavy 
captures. Most of the regular habitues of the Forty-foot 
have been out and done well, but the best reports come 
from the Witham, a water which is more acco.ssible to 
north-countrymen, as there are numerous riverside 
stations between Boston and Lincoln—a locality where 
the principal angling takes place. On this river Mr. T. 
Rowbotham took three pike, scaling over 81b. apiece, 
and several of leaser weight. Mr. Kent landed a ten- 
pounder at the Stanch at Bai'dney, and a Sheffield 
angler, fishing in the lower Witham, took three very 
large pike, one of which was said to weigh 151b. Just 
below the Stamp-end looks at Lincoln, on Tuesday, Mr. 
Tom Brown captured three, one of 51b., and nearer Dog- 
dyke Mr. Perry got five in two days, the best being a 
nine-pounder. 
Sport on the Forty-foot has been chiefly confined to 
local anglers, and amongst those who have taken fish the 
following are about the best:—Mr. Pearson, a brace on 
Saturday, weighing 71b. 8oz., and one of 51b. on Monday ; 
Mr. Kitchen, in two days this week, secured four pike, 
averaging 41b. each ; Mr. Heath captured one of 61b. 
on Tuesday, and Mr. Winter got two on the same day, 
one about 41b., and the other close upon 3Ib. on Wed¬ 
nesday ; Mr. Marsh landed two of about 51b. each, and 
Mr. Pancourt bagged one of 41b., and two others of 
lesser weight. 
On the Vernatts Drain, a tributary of the Welland, I 
hear Mr. Hall, a veteran pike angler, has been doing 
some good things daring the past fortnight, having 
captured in the teens of fish, some of which ran up to 
81b. and 91b. a-piece. Mr. Green is also reported to have 
done well on the main stream. 
FROM THE LAKE DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Thoi’e is a rumour current that the Kent Angling 
Association, having its headquarters at Kendal, is about 
to lose the services of its honorary secretary, Mr. John 
Watson, who, it is said, has intimated his intention of 
resigning the office at the forthcoming annual meeting. 
We hear, however, that an effort will be made to induce 
Mr. Watson to continue the duties. He has rendered good 
service to anglers and the public generallv by fighting 
from his seat on the County Council in favour of pre¬ 
serving the purity of the local rivers, and has succeeded 
in exposing and removing grievances in the matter of 
pollution. He is also a useful member of the Lake Dis¬ 
trict Board of Conservators, and though not perhaps an 
ardent angler, is an authority on pisciculture and 
natural history generally. 
A local paper says : “ Every angler knows that fish 
are keenly sensitive to the weather, and an illustration 
of this was experienced in Windermere on Monday. An 
attempt was made to capture some char to be carried to 
Coniston Lake, and nine draws of the net resulted in the 
capture of only one perch. The banks near the month 
of the Holbeck was the spot drawn over, and _ generally 
that is a smittle part of the lake at this time of 
year; but a keen north-west wind blew and roughened 
the water, causing the char to drop back again into the 
deeiJS. On any mild day lately there were thousands of 
char swimming about the same spot.” 
Angling for trout and char commences generally on 
March 2, netting, where allowed, coming into operation 
a month later. So far as can at present be ascertained 
the outlook for the coming season is favourable. Spawn¬ 
ing operations are rei)orted to bo altogether satisfactory 
in both lakes and rivers. 
FROM LANCASHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The meeting of the Merry Anglers a few nights ago to 
discuss the annual dinner, was a very successful affair, 
and reflects great credit on the culinary department of 
the Three Crowns, audit it were possible to make any 
complaints, the same would be made on the late arrivals, 
who to some extent kept the- others from an early com¬ 
mencement. Mr. George Yates, the newly-elected 
president, was in command, and ably dispensed the good 
things which literally covered the table. After the cloth 
was removed the usual harmony occupied the rest of the 
evening. This association is confidently looking forward 
to good things piscatorial in the coming season, and 
wo wish Mr."Yates and his “Merry Men ” every good 
wish. It is a matter of regret that the Manchester 
and Districts Amalgamation has failed in its application 
