SUPPLEMENT TO THE FISHING GAZETTE 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1893. 
THE BRITISH SEA-ANGLERS’ SOCIETY. 
A WELL-ATTENDED meeting of anglers was held on 
Friday night at the Swallow Assembly Rooms, Picca¬ 
dilly, and, as a result, the above society—the first of its 
kind in the United Kingdom—was inaugurated. The 
meeting had been convened by Messrs. F. G. Aflalo and 
E. S. Shrubsole, who had projected the formation of a 
sea-fishing society, and the proceedings were presided 
over by Mr. C. H. Cook, who read letters from Sir 
Albert K. Rollit, M.P., the President of the Board of 
Trade, the Mayor of Deal, Mr. A. D. Berrington, Mr. 
Blakey, Mr. R. B. Marston (Editor of the Fishing 
Gazette), and Mr. W. Senior (of the Field), expressing 
sympathy with the movements and offering their hearty 
co-operation. At one end of the room a very interesting 
exhibition of fishing-tackle was displayed, having in the 
midst a tarpon of 1231b., lent by Mr. Rowland Ward, of 
Piccadilly, and a shark’s skull and backbone. 
The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said it had 
been decided that the club which they had met to 
establish that night should take the form of an angling 
association, having branches all over the United King¬ 
dom, for it was perfectly obvious that such an insti¬ 
tution would be much more powerful than a mere club 
where forty or fifty members drank whiskey, smoked, 
and told fish stories. (Laughter.) That was not the first 
attempt which had been made to form a society of 
anglers interested in sea-fishing, and it had been 
said that owing to previous failures it was 
perfectly evident that such a society was not 
wanted. The first attempt was a letter addressed 
to the Angling Editor of the Field by a gentle¬ 
man who asked persons interested in the formation 
of a sea-fishing club to write to him on the subject. 
However, he did not receive sufficient replies to 
warrant the club being started ; and he (the chair¬ 
man) did not think that was the way to form a society 
of that sort. (Hear, hear.) The second attempt also 
failed, for reasons which some of them were probably 
aware of, and the matter was dropped for a time. Mr. 
Aflalo had, however, now taken the question up, and he 
felt sure that under his guidance and with the aid of 
his energy and enthusiasm, the club would be carried to 
a successful issue. Proceeding, the chairman observed 
that fishing with a rod in the sea was far better than 
hand-lining. The reason was simply this—that it not 
only enabled them to play their fish, but to use fine 
tackle. (Hear, hear.) Of course, in some styles of 
sea-fishing, it was absolutely necessary to use hand¬ 
lines. The rod was excellent for fly-fishing, which they 
•could not go in for with hand-lines. (Laughter.) 
He remembered, referring to fiy - fishing in the 
sea, that once at Filey Brig he took with the fiy, in 
three quarters of an hoxir, over a hundredweight of 
fish. He secured a fish at every east. If the first fish 
that rose at the fly missed it, it was immediately taken 
by a second fish. Fly-fishing in the sea w-as very fine 
sport, and he asserted that if they went in for scientific 
sea-fishing they would catch a great deal more than the 
man with the old fashioned hand-lines. Speaking of the 
mullet, the chairman asked who was there that could 
call himself a successful mullet fisherman amongst the 
101b. and 121b. fish f (Hear, hear.) He himself had only 
once been able,to hook one of these large mullets, 
which, after running 80 yards of line out, broke 
him up. He contended that the mullet and baas 
vied with the carp in cunning, but he believed they 
only wanted to adopt more skilful methods to take 
the fish. Continuing, Mr. Cook said they were there 
that evening to farm an important and powerful 
association—an association composed of gentlemen who 
were interested in sea fishing, and the welfare and pre¬ 
servation of the fishes all round the coast, not only in 
England and Wales, but in Scotland and Ireland. (Hear, . 
hear.) With regard to such an association, he thought , 
those who joined it would have many advantages. The 
first advantage was the most important, and it was to have 
branch societies with corresponding members all over 
the coasts, whereby they could collect the most valuable 
information in regard to the migratory habits of the 
fish, the mo.st suitable times to fish, and the best local 
fishermen to employ. He suggested that that informa¬ 
tion should be published in a journal, if funds 
permitted, to be issued once a ijuarter or once 
a year. The second advantage to the members was, 
that, in all probability, the association would own 
its own boats at different sea angling resorts, and 
make special terms with fishermen to let out their 
boats. Hitherto they frequently found that sea fisher¬ 
men charged 23. 6d. an hour for their boats, which was 
an exhorbitant charge, but in Wales they claimed the 
fish as well, for once when he was out the man at the 
end of the day said, “ These fish are mine. Would you 
like a few, sirr” (Laughter.) He hoped when they 
became flourishing they would also purchase a yacht, 
which would enable the members to go for a trip after 
the fish where the small boats coixld not reach. In 
regard to the third advantage, he thought the railway 
companies would charge lower fares to members going 
fishing to the sea-side. The anglers’ interests he felt 
were the companies’ interests. The fourth advantage 
would be obtained through the corresponding members 
on the coasts sending telegrams to the headquarters in 
London as to when the fish were in, and then members 
would be able to go to the spots most suited. Sea- 
fish did not stop in one place long, for they might 
go to Deal one day and catch nothing, and take 
four or five cod the next day. It was most annoying 
to go to a place and then to find that the fish were not in, 
and to hear a fisherman say, “ Ah ! sir, yon should have 
been here last week.” (Laughter). The fifth advantage 
should follow from members arranging with hotel- 
keepers, &c., to board them at a special rate. The sixth 
advantage would lie in the promotion of social inter¬ 
course, and he had no doubt that it would be a great 
pleasure for the members to meet thtir brother anglers 
and join them in boats and excursions. He hoped, 
speaking of the seventh advantage, that in time local 
branches would be formed in coast towns, and start a 
club-house, which would be open to members of the 
association all over the United Kingdom. In regard to 
the eighth advantage, he hoped to see the members of 
the club follow the example of the British Association 
and have an annual gathering at some sea-side place. 
The members would, say, go to Plymouth or Scar¬ 
borough, and be entertained there by one of the 
local branches. The British Association met for 
learning and scientific purposes, were feted, and 
had a rare old time, and he (the chairman) did not 
see why the members of the British Sea Anglers’ 
Association should not do the same. (Laughter.) He 
hoped one effect of the formation of that club would be 
to promote the welfare of the sea fisheries and sea 
fishermen all round the coast. (Hear, hear.) He should 
not be at all surprised if some enthusiastic sea angler 
did not discover the long-looked-for bait which the 
Marine Biological Society had been endeavouring to find 
out, and he believed that they would discover new 
methods of catching fish, and introduce new kinds of 
tackle, which would be of great benefit to the profes¬ 
sional fishermen. (Hear, hear.) Already they haUeen 
instrumental in introducing methods of taking fish, 
which those men had been glad to follow. Nowadays, 
for instance, the sea fishermen on the soxxth coast used 
gut on their whiting lines, whilst at Tenby they used a 
twisted gut and a blue phantom minnow, worth 4s. Gd. 
each, when bass fishing. In conclusion, the chairman 
expressed the hope that the members would take up the 
question of preserving immature se.a fish, and wished 
the club every success.- (Cheers.) 
Mr. Aflalo, who was cordially received, then read an 
interesting paper on “Sea Fishing,” which, he main¬ 
tained, was a healthful and instructive occupation, and 
one that could be pursued at all seasons of the year. 
The proposed association -would not neglect the amateur, 
or even the social element, and a great advantage would 
be the instituting of central bait depots. He therefore 
moved: “'That in the opinion of this meeting it is 
desirable to form a society of gentlemen interested in 
sea fishing, and in the welfare of our fisheries on the 
English, Scotch, and Irish coasts, for the purposes of 
obtaining increased facilities for salt-water angling, and 
of collecting and publishing information relative to the 
migration, food, &;c., of our sea fish, and that it be 
called the British Sea Anglers’ Society.’’ 
The resolution -was seconded by Mr. E. S. Shrdb.sole, 
and carried, after a short discussion. 
Sir Albert H. Rollit and the Mayor of Deal had 
already signified their consent to become vice-presidents, 
and Messrs. R. B. Marston, AV. Senior, S. Harwood, and 
T. R. Sachs were likewise elected to the same office. 
A provisional committee was appointed, with power 
to add to its number, viz., Messrs. Ball, Cinimplen, 
Johnson, and Shrubsole, with Surgeon-General Parke as 
chairman, and Mr. T. R. Sachs vice-chairman. They 
are to draft a scheme of the rules and regulations, 
which will be circulated round the coast for discussion. 
Mr. Aflalo is hon. secretary, and Mr. C. H. Cook bon. 
treasurer, p?-o. tern. All communications should be 
addressed to Mr. Aflalo, o, Beverley-road, Anerley, S E. 
It was also resolved that the annual subscription 
should be lOs. Gd. per annum. 
The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to 
the exhibitors and chairman. 
CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF LONDON ANGLING 
CLUBS. 
The monthly delegate meeting was held at the 
Bedford Head Hotel, Maiden-lane, AV.C., on Monday 
last, when a large number of delegates were present. 
Mr. C. A. Medcalf, president, occupied the chair, and 
Mr. J. Kelly, vice-president, the vice-chair. 
The subject of the proposed Thames bye-laws again 
received a large amount of attention, the several letters 
from the Thames Conservancy were produced to the 
meeting, and the secretary reported in detail the action 
he had taken in the matter as instructed by the dele¬ 
gates, those suggestions thus made to the conservators 
had been carefully considered, and it was firmly believed 
would be ultimately adopted. It was the unanimous 
feeling of the meeting that very little alteration was 
required in reference to the sizes of fish, seeing that a 
very large majority of the members of London angling 
clubs are bank anglers, who are compelled to toil hard 
during the week ; and the experience of their matches 
and club outings has taught them, practically, that the 
many alterations in the aspect of their favourite river 
of late years by the improvements necessary in making 
new embankments, erecting new weirs, &c., had 
quite changed the former conditions of bank fishing. 
It was, therefore, now a very difficult matter to 
obtain good takes of fish from the bank, as nearly 
all the old swims had been destroyed, and the 
fish were to be found located more in mid stream, 
thus rendering punt-fishing more profitable, but often¬ 
times quite out of the reach of the working man anglers’ 
pocket. On this subject there had certainly been a deal 
of hypocrisy preached by a few whose sole aim appeared 
to be to support anything that might render the sport 
a more exclusive one, it being apparent that there are 
far too many humble followers of the gentle art to 
please them. It is, therefore, certain that any increase 
in sizes as proposed, would be detrimental to the rise 
and continued future prosperity of the London clubs; 
it would be the means of many breaking away from 
their societies, and another great danger would present 
itself in the shape of decreased traffic on railways, thus 
seriously jeopardising our many valuable concessions 
of cheap railway travelling. The river is undoubtedly 
well stocked with fish, the efforts of the various Preser¬ 
vation Societies in the past have worked wonders in 
this direction, and the London anglers are not slow to 
recognise this fact, seeing that quite recently they 
subscribed nearly ^6100 in a very short time, which 
has been wisely distributed amongst the many Preser¬ 
vation Societies for the purpose of re-stocking, and it 
is confidently believed that every purpose will be served 
by continuing in this direction. And, further, there 
certainly has not appeared any genuine widespread 
desire on the part of the London elubs to increase the 
present standard, otherwise the matter would have 
been introduced to the notice of the associations, 
and rules framed accordingly, this being considered 
a far wiser course than altering the bye-laws, which, 
if done, must be recognised for many years to 
come without any further chance of alteration. In 
furtherance of these and other views of the delegates it 
was agreed to form a deputation to wait upon the con¬ 
servators, if necessary, the following gentlemen being 
selected : Messrs. Medcalf, T. Crumplen, AV. Parkin, AV. 
Elsmore, and T. Goodwin. It is the proud boast of this 
association that we have always worked in the best 
interests of the whole body, and that any individual 
member can have a voice in its working and be heard 
upon all questions, discussion being our motto, how¬ 
ever unimportant the subject may appear. 
It was unanimously agreed to forward the usual 
donation to the Thames River-keepers’ Dinner Fund, it 
being considered that the annual re-union does a vast 
amount of good in promoting the cordial co-operation so 
necessary for protecting the fisheries. 
The subject of additional railway facilities was also 
considered, and a report was given as to the work done 
by the deputation, who waited on the Great Eastern, 
also in reference to the London and North-AVestern 
railway and Metropolitan railway. 
The “ smoker ” and annual re-union of the members 
will take place at the headquarters on Monday, the 2Gth 
inst. Mr. AValter Emden, L.C'.C., has kindly under¬ 
taken to preside, and an excellent programme is 
promised. 
Mr. C. AYatling, visiting officer, reportel a most 
successful visit to the Royal George Angling Society, 
and the next one to the Seymour Brothers Angling 
Society on Monday, 13th inst. 
A new visiting list will shortly be prepared, and the 
secretaries of societies are particularly reqxiested to 
send any alteration of the club-house, nights of meeting, 
Ac., to W. J. AA’ado, secretary, G, Priter-road, S.E. 
THE ST.-ANDARD AVORKS EMPLOYES.—ROD 
AIAKERS’ ANNUAL DINNER. 
The section of Messrs. Allcook’s employes comprised 
in the rod-making department, held their annual dinner 
on Monday evening last at the AVarwick Arms Hotel, 
when about sixty sat down to an excellent repast. 
The affair xvas not confined to men, but women and 
girls also attended, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy 
themselves. 
The viands having been disposed of, the first toast 
was that of ” Success to the Firm,” which was proposed 
by Mr. E. Perks, the manager of the department. He 
said that unless there was success at the Standard 
AYorks, there was no success for any of them there. 
(Hear, hear). He had been forty-one years at the 
Standard, where he started as a little boy. He fervently 
trusted that their good old commander (cheers) would be 
spared for many long years to guide the ship iu future 
as well as he had in the past. (Hear, hear). A good 
many firms looked with envy on the Standard, and 
years ago some clever people made up their minds to 
knock them out of existence. During that time he had 
a few grey hairs appear, but he thought that those who 
had lost some thousands in their attempt had more grey 
hairs than he had. (Laughter). He could truthfully 
say that they had never done a sweating business, and 
though occasionally he was compelled to “ give them 
emery,” yet, on the whole, they got on very well to¬ 
gether. (Cheers). They would all have to pull together, 
and it would take a great deal to beat them. 
The toast having been enthusiast'cally drunk, Air. 
Allcook, who was received with cheers, responded. 
He said he was glad to see them all enjoy themselves, 
and he knew before that night that Mr. Perks always 
did his duty. As to sweating, it was against his prin¬ 
ciple to cut down wages. He could tell them that they 
did not get too much for their work, and fe should be 
only too pleased to see them having more, if it would 
P-iy the Standard to give them more. They did not fear 
competition, though the “ small fry ” were occasionally 
troublesome by reducing prices on common goods, but 
for good quality in best work the Standard could not be 
beaten. (Cheers). It was one of his first points to keep 
his workpeople. Mr. Perks had said that he had been 
there forty-one .vears, and he thought it was time he 
was pensioned off. The Standard had worked hard for 
the reputation they now had, and they would have to 
work hard to keep it, but if they all did their duty there 
would be no cause for fear. AVhen he was younger he 
used to think that when he had got to be old he should 
like to retire (No), but he was glad to say that he had 
made up his mind to stick to the ship, with which he liad 
been connected for forty-three years, till he died. 
(Cheers). He was glad to say that he had never had 
better health in his life. 
Air. T. Clark proposed the health of the host and his 
assistants, spying that Air. Fourt had done his very best 
