March 11, 1893] 
THE EISHING GAZETTE 
175 
FROM NOTTINGHAM. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette, 
Anglers cannot now complain of the weather. It has 
been delightful during the week, and on Wednesday the 
sun shone with the warmth of May. The day, in fact, 
was a typical spring day, and anglers, not slow to avail 
themselves of the change, were out in all directions. I 
am sorry to say that I came across several who were 
using the live bait for pike. Those fish are now ascend¬ 
ing the higher portions of the various backwaters, and 
when the weather undergoes any temporary change for 
the better they are very easily caught. Being for the 
most part full of spawn it is a thousand pities to disturb 
them. But then we have anglers and anglers, and I 
suppose the slaughter of the fish, on some waters will 
go on right up to the advent of the close season, which 
begins on Wednesday next. 
At Wilford, on Haturday, Mr. J. Boyd, one of the 
oldest subscribers, bagged 201b. of dace, roach, and 
chub, and on Monday he killed seventeen very fine dace 
in the field below the bridge. On Tuesday and Wednes¬ 
day he was amongst the roach, although on the latter 
day the fish did not bite so freely in consequence of the 
rapidity with which the water was running in. Mr. T. 
Castles has been busy in the same length amongst roach, 
and on Tuesday 1 caught, amongst others, one of 
11b. C.^oz. It was a splendid specimen, although the 
scales below the dorsal fin wore ragged and rough. Mr. 
J. Taylor had one of 11b. 3oz , and several of 11b. each 
fell to the rods of other frequenters of the fishery. 
On Wednesday, Mr. J. Taylor had quite an adven¬ 
ture. He was fishing close to me for roach, when “ bob, 
bob, ’ went the float. Waiting a second or so, he struck, 
and was fast in a heavy fish, which dashed madly into 
the stream from the side, near which the bait—a couple 
of cockspurs threaded on a No. 9 hook—had been cast. 
Its movements were most extraordinary, and at first, 
and for some time it would not budge an inch from the 
stream. Eventually, however, science prevailed, and, 
on the landing-net being brought into use, a leathering 
great barbel rolled leisurely into it. The fish, a male, 
weighed 51b., and was in good condition. In the proper 
season it would have pulled down the beam at 91b. Yet 
the fact of the fish taking the worm in March, and this 
in less than three feet of water, shows beyond doubt 
that they do feed during the winter and spring months. 
Some years ago, before the Mundella Act was passed, I 
caught several barbel in the closing days of March with 
the caddis grub, and caught them within two hundred 
yards of the very spot where my friend Mr. Taylor 
hooked and landed his “ champion.” 
At Weston, or, rather, in the Blackpool, three pike 
have been taken with the live bait since Thursday. The 
heaviest weighed lOilb., the second best, 81b., and the 
third best, 61b. It is much to be regretted that the lessee 
of the water does not close it to subscribers on Feb. 1. 
The pool is fed by the Trent, and in March many fish 
ascend it for the purpose of spawning. 
FROM SHEFFIELD. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The quarterly meeting of the Sheffield Anglers’ Asso¬ 
ciation, held on Wednesday week at the Crown Inn, was 
important from the standpoint of the business discussed. 
It was a representative meeting, there being present a 
room full of delegates. The President, Mr. 0. Styring, 
was in the chair, and others present were Messrs. E. 
Ridge, T. Guest, W. Walker, T. Liddell, C. Lockwood, 
C. Powell, W. Sylvester, H. Gillott, W. Ashwood, J. 
Woollen, J. Harrison, J. Pinning, and T. Walker, 
secretary. 
Much interest was manifested over the first item, 
which related to the proposed purchase of the fishing 
rights in a three mile stretch of the river Idle, near 
Bawtry, owned by a farmer named Smith. The owner 
was willing to give up his right on condition that the 
association allowed him the privilege of setting eel leaps 
in that and the adjoining portion of the river let to the 
association. Much disoixssiou ensued on this proposal, 
and two resolutions were put before the meeting. One 
was that the terms be agreed to, and the other that 
Smith be paid £2 per year, and sign an agreement to 
act as keeper, and not to himself fish in the river or 
allow anyone else so to do, except his own right to set 
eel leaps. This was carried. 
The taking of undersized fish next came under con¬ 
sideration. This is a matter that has been hammered 
at tor years. No Association in the country has been 
more lax on this question than the Sheffield one. 
Although there is a rule on the books that fish under 
certain sizes be not taken, it has never been seriously 
enforced, members having taken fish of all sizes from 
the waters. The consequence is that the waters have 
been robbed right and lett, the main reason being that 
publicans have for years offered money for the largest 
dishes of fish caught by Sheffield anglers. To their 
shame be it said, many of them, with an utter disregard 
for sport, have resorted to the most disreputable prac¬ 
tices in order to win these prizes. In the discussion all 
these facts were brought out, speakers appealing to 
the honour of the members to discontinue what has 
brought discredit and opprobium upon the respectable 
anglers of the city. In the end a resolution forbidding 
the practice on pain of expulsion, was framed, but the 
matter was then allowed to stand over until the next 
quarterly meeting, in order that the city clubs might 
lurther discuss it and instruct their delegates how to 
vote. 
The last excursions for the season are fixed for Mon- 
/ March 13, to Uoaton and all intervening" 
1 BQiDg station?, and to Ihorne, Crowle, and Althorpp, 
Tuey promise to be well patronised. 
The last item was a motion in the name of Mr. 
Liddell, asking the Black Sluice Commissioners to allow 
anglers to fish with two rods in the Forty-foot, near 
Boston, instead of with one, as at present. This was 
carried. 
FROM WORCESTER AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The heavy rains of the past week kept the Severn and 
Temo up to a very high level; on Saturday last there 
was a Oft. rise on the Severn, but the weather of the last 
few days has been gloriously bright, and the water 
fining down and sinking rapidly, so that in a few days 
anglers will be able to be after the trout, and should, 
with the minnow, nail some of the “ big uns.” 
The close season for coarse fi.sh commences on the 15th 
of this month, and much satisfaction is felt at the 
decision of the Severn Fishery Board not to issue permits 
in this district during the present season, for the 
enormous quantity of coarse fish taken during the close 
season in past years—under the weirs principally—if 
continued, would seriously have diminished the <iuantity 
of fish in the river. 
Not to be deterred by the flooded state of the river, 
some enthusiastic anglers have been out, and took a 
grand lot of roach and dace, Mr. J. Pethord taking a 
splendid specimen of the latter, which is being set up. 
There have been some good pike taken, but they are 
heavy in spawn. 
Salmon fishing has been very poor in this district so 
far. The high water has allowed almost an unin¬ 
terrupted passage of the fish over the weirs, and I 
trust some of them will reach the upper waters of the 
Severn, and stay the continuous grumbling of the Mont- 
gotnory men. A great number of fish passed over Diglis 
Weir before the river was at its highest level, and, as so 
few have been taken by the nets, we may conclude they 
are heading up the river, and if they do not reach Mont¬ 
gomery this year they never will. With all due defe¬ 
rence to the opinion of Mr. A. Mostyn-Owen, the salmon 
pass at the Diglis Weir as it at present exists enables 
the salmon to pass up with but little difficulty in the 
worst seasons. Of that I can speak from personal obser¬ 
vation, and not from a mere cursory view of the weir, 
which Blr. Mostyn-Owen made at the time when the 
committee of the Severn Fishery Board made their in¬ 
spection of all the weirs. 
Mr. E. Harrison Bowen, president of the Worcester 
and District Angling Association, was fortunate 
enough to take two fine fish in his net at Holt Fleet 
during the week, but the fishermen have hardly taken a 
fish. 
Annual dinners are the order of the day just now. 
The “ Izaak Walton Club ” had theirs on Thursday, and 
was fairly well attended. Mr. E, Millington, the presi¬ 
dent, and Mr. C. Evans, the vice-president, did the 
honours of the table. A capital dinner was provided by 
Mrs. Beckley, the hostess, which was thoroughly enjoyed, 
after which the usual toasts were given and responded 
to, and the numerous and valuable prizes, which had 
been competed for during the past season, wore distri¬ 
buted to the successful competitors, and a very plea¬ 
sant evening spent. 
FROM YORK AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The first annual report of the Pickering Fishery Asso¬ 
ciation referring to its origin last year says : Several 
gentlemen in the town having noticed that a great deal 
of illegal fishing was being carried on, and that the 
Pickering stream, so noted for its splendid trout and 
grayling, was being practically mined for all honest 
purposes, held a few preliminary meetings, with the 
result that by the middle of May the association was in 
full swing. A code of rules was drawn up and accepted, 
the various officers had been elected, a water bailiff' 
engaged, and tickets got ready for disposal. It was, 
however, to be regretted that the association had not 
its birth earlier in the year, as the season became too far 
advanced for much active service. The first year of its 
existence, however, has been fairly successful. There 
are at present in the association ten season ticket- 
holders, and twelve members. Some 857 fish have been 
caught between June and Nov. 12, 280 trout and 577 
grayling. September had been the best month for 
anglers. Most of the trout had been got between 
Viver’s Mill and the Low Mill, and most of the grayling 
below. The largest number of fish had been taken with 
worm, whilst fly-fishers were most successful with March 
and May Browns, Blue Dun, Alexander, and Stone Fly. 
Altogether the report is a very interesting one, and, with 
increased support, which it is hoped the association will 
obtain during the coming season, much good work should 
be accomplished. 
At the annual meeting of the Tees Fishery Board 
held at Darlington on Monday (reported in another 
column), it was reported by the secretary that 50,000 
trout ova had been placed in the Middleton-one-Eow 
hatcheries, which would be added to the river. 
The Pontefract anglers are evidently on the qui virc. 
At a meeting held at the Old Castle Inn recently, it wa s 
decided to form an angling association, Mr. Harold J - 
Eeckitt, the new member of Parliament, being elected 
first president, and Lord St. Oswald and Sir Lionel 
Polkington, Bart., patrons. 
FROM IRELAND. 
To the Editor of the Fishin Gazette. 
DUBLIN.—From the openingof the fishing season and 
up to the present, atmospheric influences have been 
entirely opposed to sport in, I might say, almost every 
county in Ireland, rough winds, heavy rains, high floods, 
and even snowstorms, following each other in that change¬ 
able fashion for which at this time of the year Irish 
weather is so remarkable. 
Anglers, therefore, have not, as it may be presumed, 
been happy in the pursuit of the gentle art during this 
trying time ; yet it must not bo supposed that there has 
been any marked absence of rods over the various rivers. 
On the contrary, we find from weekly reports of inland 
districts that not only have local Waltonites been busy, 
but iu many jjarts strangers have alrealy arrived, and 
only await the advent of a favourable change. 
I am glad to say that a decidedly favourable change 
has taken place pretty generally to-day (Wednesday) 
and yesterday, both of which were in reality ideal fishing 
days. I trust such will continue for a few days more, at 
least until the rivers level down to proper trim. 
Trout fishing in the Dublin district (which covers a 
vast area, and includes many rivers) has not been 
marked with much success as regards the number taken, 
but as to the class of fish there can be no mistake, and 
a few good plump specimens were with difficulty bas¬ 
keted from the reaches of the Liffey and Tolka waters 
during the past week. In the Kildare and Meath dis¬ 
tricts much the same state of affairs exists. 
Very few have as yet cast lines this sea.son on the 
rivers of the county Wicklow ; but bad weather has 
prevented them, and I have no doubt, now that we have 
better prospects, the usual large numbers will be found, 
especially from Saturday to Monday each week, trying 
their luck. 
There is, I hear, a great run of brown trout all along 
the Aughrim river this year ; but they only run small— 
|lb. to 11b. as a rule, although many larger ones are 
occasionally captured. 
Salmon fishing by rod commenced on the river 
Slaney on Feb. 16, and will continue until Sept. 15. 
The fishing has been very bad owing to the inclemency 
of the weather, and the water being altogether too high, 
in fact quite unsuitable in every way for angling. 
The river is reported to be “ literally teeming with 
fish,” and (judging by those caught) of excellent quality, 
so that with the improved weather good sport may be 
anticipated. 
_ I have obtained from a local authority the following 
list of captures : Mr. A. Lett, nineteen ; Mr. S. Lett, 
fifteen ; Mr. K. Owens, sen., eleven ; Mr. 11. Owens, 
jun., twelve; Mr. P. MaoNamara, thirteen; Mr. J. 
Darcy, nine ; Mr. W. Eielly, six ; Mr. G. Kelly, six ; 
Mr. W. Sterne, four ; Mr. A. Kavanagh, three. 
Mr. E. Owens captured a very nice salmon of 81b. 
last week, but the best take of the season was 
effected by Mr. Sam Lett—one of 201b. weight. The 
fish made a magnificent fight, and but for Mr. Lett's 
expert playing, would have managed his escape ; and 
the capture was witnessed from the bank by a large 
crowd. There are about forty rods on the Slaney now, 
over different parts between Enniscorthy and Newtown- 
barry, and one or two preserves en route are also being 
thrashed energetically. Prom now until April 1 is the 
best time for angling there, as the net fishing commences 
on that date, and continues open until October 15. 
KEEEY.—The weather since last notes has been 
favourable enough on the whole, but angling has not 
shown much improvement. On Watervillo Lake sport 
continues poor; in fact, such a dearth of sport has not 
been known on this -water for several years at this 
season. Anglers are, however, confident that sport is 
bound to improve shortly, as the fish are supposed to be 
pretty numerous. Salmon kelts gave a lot of trouble 
during the past week. Several anglers met with nothing 
else, hut all those brought to boat were immediately 
returned to the water. The brown trout angling for the 
week was of a poor description, but one fine specimen 
was caught by a local professional angler named Ned 
Dennehy. This fish weighed Illb. 14oz., and was in 
splendid condition. It beats the record among brown 
trout for this water, the heaviest fish of this description 
hitherto recorded as being caught weighing but 911b., 
taken by Dennehy also. 
Prom Killarney I learn that salmon anglers have 
enjoyed fair sport, but nothing exceptional has been 
done in this locality. 
At Glencar sport appears to have declined, though 
one or two anglers did pretty well on a couple of days 
among the salmon. 
On Waterville river nothing worth recording was done 
by either salmon or trout anglers, but no anglers have 
been out on the preserved portion, which is, of course, 
the best. Salmon are reported to be very numerous in 
the tidal waters, but they are very slow in coming up at 
present. 
On the mountain lake of Cummeravanig sport among 
brown trout continues good, though, as a rule, it is 
better in April. 
The Cummeragh is now running too low. Salmon are 
numerous in the deeper pools, but no anglers have been 
out, as it is useless to fish this water until after a flood 
takes place. 
The Inny has jielded good baskets of brown trout 
during the week—that is, as far as numbers are 
concerned, for only a few heavy trout were taken. 
Sport has been well up to the average on Copptl lake. 
Two local anglers had baskets of over two dozen each 
jn a couple of days. The fish averaged jib., and one 
was caught which weighed 2| b. This laks affords both 
good white and brown trout fishing from July till the 
season closes on Oct. 15. Like Waterville lake it is 
quite free, but at present there are only two boats on 
the water available for angling visitors, so the latter 
must either take their turn when there is a rush, or else 
