168 
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PISHING GAZETTE 
[March 1, 1893 
THE THAMES COXSEKVATOES AND THE 
FISHERY BYE-LAWS. 
An important special meeting of the committee of the 
Reading and District Angling Association, supported by 
the local angling clubs, was held on Saturday evening, 
at the Great Western Hotel, Mr. Alfred Hurley, V.P., 
in the chair, to consider the revised draft of fishery 
bye-laws just issued by the Thames Conservators. The 
matter having been exhaustively discussed, the following 
resolutions were unanimously carried;— 
Proposed by Mr. Arthur C. Butler, V.P., seconded 
by Mr. J. W. Lindars —*’ That the hon. secretary do 
advise the Thames Conservancy that this committee 
adheres to its resolution of the 2nd January, and that 
if the draft fishery bye-laws are advertised in their 
present form they will feel it their duty to petition the 
Privy Council to amend the same in agreement with the 
said resolution.” 
Moved by Mr. Walkord Ridley, V.P., and seconded 
by Mr. Wm. Ferguson. “That Messrs. A. Hurley, C. 
H. Cook, F. Brown, H. Creed, and A. C. Butler be 
appointed a sub-committee to draft and present a peti¬ 
tion to the Privy Council, should such a step be rendered 
necessary by the action of the conservators, and to take 
snch other steps as may in their opinion be necessary to 
carry out the foregoing resolution.” 
Moved by the Chairman, and seconded by Mr. W. 
Collins, “ It being the opinion of this committee that 
the legislature clearly intended, in the Thames Con¬ 
servancy Acts of 1804 and 1866, to prohibit netting in the 
upper river, whether claimed as private or not, his 
Worship the Mayor of Reading be respectfully desired 
to call the attention of the committee of the Upper 
Thames Association on Thursday next to the proposed 
new fishery bye-laws, and to express on behalf of this 
association the opinion that in the interest of owners of 
fisheries, and of the public equally, no netting or night- 
lineing should be permitted. Also that his worship be 
requested to move a resolution at such meeting pledging 
the committee to support the views herein expressed.” 
Moved by Mr. W. Bonny, and seconded by Mr. J. 
SiM8 : “ That the Lord Mayor of London and the other 
representatives of the City Corporation on the Conser¬ 
vancy Board be requested to support the position taken 
in the matter of the new bye-laws by this and the 
kindred associations which have the protection and 
preservation of the Thames fishery under their care.” 
[The resolution of January 2 referred to in the first of 
the foregoing resolutions has already been printed in 
the local and sporting press. The points asked for are 
improvements in the legal sizes of fish, improvements in 
the fence months, the regulation of the speed of steam 
launches during the breeding season, the abolition of 
netting and the laying of night-lines, the inclusion of 
creeks, backwaters, and flooded meadows in the defini¬ 
tion of the words “River Thames” as applied to 
offences, and other points of great importance to the 
fisheries not conceded in the new draft. The Reading 
.^sociation are already promised support in very 
influential quarters, and a great representative meeting 
of preservation associations and angling clubs will 
shortly be held on the subject in London.] 
Conviction of Border Salmon Poachers. —In the 
Dumfries Sheriff Court on Friday week, a large number 
of Border salmon poachers appeared before Sheriff 
Campion, to answer charges against them for gaffing 
fish out of the upper reaches of the Annan and Esk. 
The fines of twelve of the poachers amounted to 
£U 10s. 6d. 
Fifth Annual Angling Competition, in Aid of 
the Funds of the Anglers’ Benevolent Society, 
and Convalescent Home Funds.-~I have much 
pleasure in announcing that Mr. W. Emden, of the 
L.C.C., has kindly offered a prize: the Izaak Walton, 
lOa. 6d. for a prize ; Mr. W. H. Mereham, of the same 
society, a winch. The committee will meet on Friday 
next, at the Foresters’ Hall, at 9.30. Mr. Harris 
(of the Prince Arthur), was added to the committee.— 
S. Malby, sec. 
Astonishing Growth of King Carp.— Fish taken 
from monster king carp of 201b. to 301b. in May last 
are now up to Tin. long, whilst fish spawned in May 
’91, i.e., 1 year 9 months ago, run up to 41b. and over, 
i.e., a record of above 21b. per annum for the first two 
years. Later on, with plenty of food, this fish grows 
almost as fast again, so that in four or five years they 
weigh between 101b. and l.'ilb., or even more. On the 
Continent they are grown specially for eating, and are 
said to be quite delicious. This statement I have not 
yet been able to verify.— Thomas Ford. 
“Imperial” SilverCupCompetition. —There wen 
only four shows of fish registered at the Imperial, South 
wark-street, S.E.: Messrs. J. Osborne, R. H. Morris 
A. Richards, and A. Dejonge. Result to date; Mr 
J. W. Biggs (Funny Folks), Feb. 19, 170, total numbei 
of points, 170. Mr. R. H. Morris (Battersea Friendly) 
Feb. 19, 128; Feb. 26, 14—142. Mr. J. Osborne (Mild 
may A.S.), Feb. 19, 79; Feb. 26, 44—123. Mr. A 
Richards (Burton Piscatorials), Feb. 19, 88; Feb. 26 
11—99. Mr. G. W. Marsh (Dalston), Feb. 19, 58—58, 
Mr. G. Lang (St. George’s), Feb. 19, 39—39. Mr. A 
Dejonge (Battersea Friendly), Feb. 19, 32 ; Feb. 26, 3— 
35. Mr. W. Gordon (AVellington), Feb. 19, 29—29 
Mr. J. Edwards (Dalston), Feb. 19, 15—15. Mr. Jas. 
Smith (Bermondsey Brothers), Feb. 19, 12—12. Mr S 
mil (Funny Folks), Feb. 19, 7—7. Mr. J. Shelton 
(Blackfnars) Feb. 19, 6—6. Mr. J. Wheelhouse (Black- 
fnars), Feb. 19, 6-6. Mr. J. R. Wigley (Rodney), 
Feb. 19, 4—4.—John Smith, hon. sec. 
J^rov^nc^al Botes 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The sixth annual dinner of the Birmingham and 
District L^nited Angling Association was held on Wed¬ 
nesday evening, Feb. 22, at the Birmingham Arms 
Hotel, Smithfield. The attendance was all that could 
be desired, as the whole of the clubs were represented, 
together with the Dudley and West Bromwich repre¬ 
sentatives. The menu was of the best possible descrip¬ 
tion, and was put upon the table in capital style by host 
Thurstan. Mr. T. Coles presided, and Mr. J. A. Dance 
occupied the vice-chair. Letters of apology for non- 
attendance were read from Councillor S. Allcock (Red- 
ditch), F. Denning (L.N.W.R. Co.), and E. Murphy 
(G.W.R. Co.), and Mr. A. G. Hall. The loyal toasts 
having been honoured, the vice-chairman proposed 
“Our Associations,” which was responded to by the 
chairman, who said that it had been the sixth time he 
had had the pleasure of responding to the toast, but 
upon no other occasion had it been more warmly 
received. Both the associations to which he had the 
honour of presiding over had made great and rapid 
progress during the past year, and he was pleased to 
say that the provincial association had sent a deputa¬ 
tion to the Warrington Association, and the Warring¬ 
ton anglers were so pleased from what they heard from 
the deputation that they had decided to join the Asso¬ 
ciation. (Applause). — Mr. C. White proposed the 
“ Railway Companies,” and said that he much regretted 
the absence of the representatives of the companies : 
but, still, the relationship of the association with the 
railway companies was one of the best possible descrip 
tion. The Birmingham anglers had nearly all they 
required in the way of station on the travelling cards, 
and next year he would use his best endeavours to 
obtain the privilege for the members to book on the 
Midland Railway from the Five Ways and Sattley 
Stations. (Applause).—Mr. T. Coles responded, and 
said that he hoped at the next gathering to see the 
whole of the railway officials present, and hoped that 
the same good wishes of the companies would be as 
marked in the future as in the past. “ Kindred Associa¬ 
tions ” was proposed in a few brief words by Mr. C. 
Cottrell, and responded to by Mr. J. Allen. The toast 
of the Press ” was given by Mr. C. Allender, and 
responded to by Mr. R. Holding ; and last, though not 
least, that of the “ Host and Iloste.ss,” which was pro¬ 
posed in suitable terms by Mr. J. Mack, and responded 
to by Mr. J. Thurstan. This concluded the toast list, 
which was in every way as brief as possible, as the 
Birmingham anglers have of late years decided to go in 
at their annual dinner for enjoyment rather than listen¬ 
ing to a number of speeches. A first-class programme 
of songs was contributed by Messrs. J. H. Cruise, J. 
AVatton, W. Bates, W. Dunn, J. Laws, and H. Yardley. 
W. Wilkins presided at the piano. 
A committee meeting of the Birmingham Anglers’ Bene¬ 
volent Society was held on Friday evening, Feb. 24, at the 
headquarters. Mr. T. Coles presided, and Mr. C. AVhite 
occupied the vice-chair. A death claim was made by 
the relative of a member of the Bird-in-Hand Society, 
and disbursed ; after which, three other claims were 
considered, and assistance given in each case ; after 
which it was decided to hold a special general meeting 
on the last Friday in June. The reports from the 
divisional committees were better than have been lately 
received. They went to show that twelve clubs had 
been visited during the last month, and that a good 
number of new members had been made ; this was very 
encouraging, and the best thanks of the meeting was 
accorded to the various committees for their labours. A 
second donation of 10s. was given by Mr. Waterhouse, 
of the Hearts of Oak Society, and the thanks of the 
meeting was given to that gentleman for his generosity. 
A resignation haying occurred, the Alliance club was 
proposed to be visited, in order that they might appoint 
a member to fill the vacancy. ’This concluded the 
business of the meeting. 
The Bose and Crown fish their bye contest at Croxall, 
on March 5. This club has, as usual, some very good 
prizes to be competed for, the chief amongst which is, 
the prize given by Mr. H. Hodgets, the host of the club¬ 
house. Tliis prize consists of a large marble timepiece, 
and bronze ornaments to match ; the other prizes, about 
twelve in number, have been subscribed for by the 
members. 
The St. George’s also hold their bye contest on the 
same date as the above at Tamworth, in the River 
Anker. The contest will be fished under the club rules, 
no fish under 2oz. to weigh ; duration of contest to be 
settled on the ground : prizes distributed on March 13. 
Train for Croxall and Tamworth, 7.20, New-street. Mid¬ 
land. 
The quarterly general meeting of the Birmingham 
Association will be held on Thursday, March 9, at the 
Birmingham Arms, Shnithfield. Chair taken at 8.15 
prompt. _ 
FROM DERBYSHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
There has been but iittle doing amongst the bream 
and roach, and unless we have a most marked change 
the coarse fish season seems doomed to close under most 
gloomy conditions. Many things, however, may happen 
in a fortnight, and we will hope for the best. 
The weather is quite unsuitable for fly-fishing, though 
there is every day some sort of “ batch out.” AVith the 
trout not yet ready and the grayling past, the best club 
waters are, of course, not being fished, though in a few 
of the open waters some trout have been taken with 
worm. 'Where there is a bit of open water, or water 
leased by a non-exclusive club, anglers benefit by the 
stocking, especially with Loch Leveners, done by 
wealthier clubs. This particularly applies to the 
Derwent, and the Cromford and Matlock Angling 
Association must annually lose a great many fish with 
corresponding advantage to the Duifield and other clubs, 
whose water is further down the stream. This seems 
one of the principal objections to Loch Leven trout, 
their tendency to descend, and I feel assured that the 
so-called sea-trout, occasionally taken in the Derwent 
below Derby, and what is, I think, called the silver 
trout of Trent, are nothing more or less than Loch 
Leveners, which have dropped down and grown fat and 
lusty on the small fry. So far as I could ascertain, no 
sea-trout were last year taken in the salmon nets in the 
Trent, a fact which seems to bear out my view. It may 
be questioned, too, if one purely local angler in a 
hundred would know a sea-trout if he saw one. 
Salmon are now running up the Trent in fair numbers, 
and some of them are said to be very heavy fish, up to 
301b., but personally I have, as yet, seen none. They 
are principally, at present, in the Shardlow and King’s 
Mills reaches. The floods are an immense advantage, so 
far as salmon are concerned, as the net fishers are never 
so successful when there is plenty of water for the fish 
to push on. I feel assured that, when once the weather 
and water become suitable, there wil be some better 
salmon fishing than has been obtained for some years. 
The sale of licences, due no doubt to last year's poor 
results, has, up to this point, however, been far from 
sitisfactory. To some extent this may also be due to 
the fact that the AVellington Club has obtained a lease 
of the Shardlow reach, which contains what is generally 
regarded as the best part of the Trent for salmon. 
The members of the AVellington Club, I hear on reliable 
authority, are far from being unanimously of opinion 
that the club has made a wise move in leasing the 
Sharlljw reach, under the terms and conditions under 
which it has been taken. The salmon fishing has been 
reserved by the lessor, and this fact must, so far as I 
can see, lead to complications. Suppose a member of 
the AVellington has baited a barbel swim, and a holder 
of a ticket for salmon, &o., over the AVeston and Shard¬ 
low reach comes fishing salmon with worm, as there is 
nothing essentially different in the actual mode of 
fishing—apart from the previous baiting—which is to 
give way ? These and similar complications are sure to 
arise, and many of the members are far from satisfied 
with the half-and-half conditions. 
AVith regard to the recent prosecutions undertaken 
by the Nottingham Angling Association, with the as¬ 
sistance of the 'Trent Board, a writer in the 2iot- 
tingham Daily Guardiayi, signing himself “ A Ccmmon- 
sense Member,” has raised a doleful plaint over the 
injustice and harshnesof the prosecutions on the ground 
that they press too heavily on these ‘‘poor bait- 
catchers ” ! 'This is “ coming it pretty strong ” ! If 
they were bait-catchers—poor but honest—why do they 
choose darkness for their operations, the fatal one hour 
after sunset period, and so bring themselves within the 
scope of the bye-law i- As a matter of fact, a few of the 
leading tackle dealers, &c., in Notts and Derbyshire 
are allowed the privilege of taking bait by nets, but 
the majority of them employ men for the purpose, who 
angle with rod and line mostly in the canals. These 
men are all well-known and are, as a class, to be relied 
upon. The taking of fish daring prohibited hours by 
netting is no part of their custom or business; if it 
were it would speedily be put down by prosecutions 
being instituted. 'The law has nothing to do with 
motives; it simply vindicates its own violation by punish¬ 
ing offenders. The same writer accuses the association 
of employing a private detective to do the work the 
board should do. This is not so, but if it were, all the 
more honour to the association. As a matter of fact 
the police are now very active in looking out for 
offenders, and, moreover, the members of the Nottingham 
Association have, as the secretary in a sensible letter 
to the same paper remarks, opportunities of looking 
over parts of the water unknown to the inspectors of 
the board, who are too well-known to the fraternity. 
No matter what the method, the end the association 
has in view, should commend itself to all local anglers. 
Practical assistance and sympathy to assist the attain¬ 
ment of this end is a more noble ambition than indulging 
in cheap sentiment oh behalf of an ill-conditioned class. 
Recently I mentioned having been present at the net¬ 
ting of a small lake in Derbyshire, with a view to re¬ 
moving the coarse fish and stocking it with trout. How 
unsuccessful our efforts were maybe gathered from the 
fact that one short draw a day or two after the occasion 
mentioned, resulted, without the net being taken ashore, 
in the capture of 105 pike, from lljlb. down to lib., 
2owt. of roach, 5 perch, one and a half farm cart-loads 
of bream, from 41b. downwards, thirty between 41b. and 
51b., nine tench from 3ilb. down to 2Jlb., and forty-seven 
carp from 141b. down to 71b. I have little doubt but 
that the number of fish in the pond is comparatively 
undiminished. Next week I hope to be able to record 
the capture of the first salmon of the year. 
FROM THE FEN DISTRICT (LINCOLNSHIRE). 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Alternate days of rain and sunshine have characterised 
the weather in the Fen district this week, and anglers 
have entered upon the last stage of the fishing season 
with anything but favourable conditions. Towards the 
end of last week the rivers and drains were still in 
heavy flood, consequent upon the heavy rainfall of the 
