SUPPLEMENT TO THE FISHING GAZETTE 
SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1893. 
C>covinclal Botes 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The quarterly general meeting of the Birmingham 
Angling Association was held on Thursday evening, 
March 9, at the Birmingham Arms Hotel, Smithfield. 
Mr. T. Coles presided, and Mr. J. Dance occupied the 
vice-chair. The meeting was well attended. The 
number of delegates attending the meeting were over 
eighty, and these represented fifty societies. The 
balance-sheet and auditors’ report for the year ending 
December 31 last was in every detail satisfactory, and 
the balance-sheet went to show that the sum of .£20 was 
carried forward to the general fund and placed in the 
bank to the credit of the association. The minutes of 
the committee meetings, held February 2 and March 2, 
which dealt chiefly with the proposed challenge cup 
and the preservation of specimen fish, were read and 
confirmed, subject to the special committee bringing in 
a report at a special meeting, when the whole of the 
details will be taken into consideration. The alteration 
in Bye-law 31 was passed, and in future the election of 
the association committee will take place on the second 
Thursday in January instead of December. This con¬ 
cluded the chief part of the business, when the vice- 
chairman asked the delegates to look out for a place on 
the Great \\ estern Railway that would be suitable for 
the forthcoming annual contest. 
Angling, during the past week, has been, on the whole, 
better than it has been for a long time, and those who 
> have had the opportunity of getting out have done so, 
and in nearly all instances have met with success. The 
weather has been all that could be desired, and the fish 
have been well on the feed. Pike-fishing has been the 
favourite sport, and some decent fish have been killed, 
the largest of which was taken from the Trent at 
Alrewas, on Saturday last, by a friend of Mr. Phillips, 
and weighed IGlb. Mr. Simkiss, on Monday last, took a 
nice little fish of near upon 61b. Other gentlemen did 
equally as well at the other neighbouring waters. At 
Fazeley, fishing the Drayton Mill Pool, Mr. Ball, of the 
St. George’s Society, landed a pikeof 12flb.; and several 
others, which were rather small, were taken by some of 
the other subscribers. Perch are in a forward state of 
spawning, and those taken have been returned to the 
water again. 
The Belmont Society fished their spring contest on 
the 12th inst., in a branch of the Kidderminster Canal, 
near to Churchill. Twenty.seven members took part in 
the contest, which was of the usual time—two hours. 
The contest was fished under unfavourable circum¬ 
stances, as a strong wind prevailed throughout the whole 
of the time. Twelve of the members only succeeded in 
taking fish, the size of which were a little over the 
average for canal fish. The result of the contest was as 
follows: First, Mr. C. Davis, four fish, weighing 
lib. 6joz.; second, Mr. S. Lovell, four fish, weighing 
Bb. 6oz.; third, Mr. J. Ludford: fourth, Mr. Moore; 
mth : Mr. G. Crow; sixth, Mr. T. Johnson ; seventh, 
1^. R Lutwytche, &c. Mr. J. Mack fulfilled the duties 
of referee to the satisfaction of all. 
The W est End Society fished their bye contest on the 
12th inst. at Fradley, under the supervision of Mr. Clem. 
” ainwright, who acted as referee. Twenty-eight 
members took part in the contest, which was of the 
usual duration of two hours. Sport was greatly inter¬ 
fered with, owing to the high wind which prevailed 
Mroughout the contest time. The result was as follows : 
First, Mr. H. Coleman; second M. W. Wilkes ; third, 
Mr. J. Lloyd; fourth, Mr. Bagnal; fifth, Mr. A. 
Guest; sixth, Mr. J. Beeston ; seventh, Mr. F. Wain- 
prizes, which are fourteen in number, 
will be distributed on Tuesday evening next. 
FROM THE FEN DISTRICT (LINCOLNSHIRE). 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette, 
The close time for angling in the fen rivers and drains 
commenced on Wednesday. Generally speaking the 
season has been a satisfactory one, and, so far as pike are 
concerned, the number of fish taken have been fully up 
to the average, though in point of weight the have run 
smaller than in previous years. The largest taken from 
the Forty-foot did not exceed 121b., whereas the year 
f better specimens were obtained, and one 
of them reached 171b. Roach and perch have afforded 
wcellent sport, but for the last two months very little 
Mttom fishing has been practised, most anglers pre¬ 
ferring to operate with the trolling tackle. There 
has never been a better season for eel fishing; the 
torty-foot being practically full of these fish, and 
It has been no uncommon thing for an angler to secure 
i6b. M 81b. with the worm, after an hour or two’s work. 
Mr. Dunn has proved the most successful bottom fisher¬ 
man on the Forty-foot this season, having, not only the 
^^^sgate, but also the heaviest single fish—a roach 
of Ijlb. (3f the trolling team, Messrs. Winter, 
Parson, Smith, Kitchen, Marsh, .and Cooper have done 
Mst. Gn the Witham about an average number of pike 
ave been taken, the heaviest fish having been secured 
ahont Langrick, Southsey, and Bardney. The Welland. 
Mso has afforded splendid sport about Stamford, 
Market Deeping, and Spalding, and its tributary, the 
ematt s Dram, has proved a favourite resort for pike 
ermen. The Glen has not been largely patronised, 
exist spots, where good fish are known to 
The Grantham Angling Association has just held its 
annual meeting, under the presidency of Mr. J. Field. 
The Chairman said they had had a fairly successful 
year, having added thirty-six members. Although fish¬ 
ing had not been good all over their waters, yet some of 
the members had had some very good catches. Mr. 
Scothern, the secretary, submitted the balance-sheet, 
which showed that the year was commenced with a 
balance of ^012 17s. 5d. in the bank, and the receipts, 
including that amount, were .£45 43. 7d. The expendi¬ 
ture was £31 19s. l|d., leaving a balance at the bank of 
£13 3s. 7d., and in the hands of the secretary Is. lOJd. 
On the proposition of Mr. Slater, seconded by Mr. 
Robinson, the balance-sheet was unanimously adopted. 
Earl Brownlow was re-elected president, Mr. S. 
Scothern secretary, Mr. J. Field chairman, and Mr. 
W. H. Fulbeck vice-chairman. 
FROM HAMPSHIRE AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
From Christchurch—the river Avon, where the fishing 
is practically public—I hear there has been about fifteen 
salmon licences granted already. The waters are yield¬ 
ing fairly well, and many good salmon have been bagged. 
From further afield, reports to hand are good. At 
Wallingford there has been some good perch fishing 
lately. An ardent local lover of the rod has had a two- 
pounder and another of 11b. 15oz. A fine barbel of 81b. 
was taken last week. 
From Pangbourne.—On Thirrsday in last week, Mr. W. 
Hull of this place, while fishing with Dr. Lewin, of 
London, in private waters of the village, grassed a grand 
pike of 211b. Some decent perch, up to 2Jlb., were also 
taken from the same waters. On Wednesday we had a 
little rain, just enough to “ freshen " the waters a little. 
—J. E. W. 
FROM LANCASHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
It is no wonder that the beautiful weather which 
marked the close of the late coarse-fishing season was 
utilised to the fullest extent by enthusiasts who wished 
to make a final effort, ere it was too late, to have one 
more day’s sport. On the 7th local waters were well 
patronised, and it does seem a pity that, just as the 
climatic conditions make a fisherman’s life tolerable, 
the humbler coarse-fisher must lay aside his rod, and 
bemoan his hard luck and enforced inactivity. 
The latest addition to the clubs near to Manchester is 
that of the Longsight Angling Association. A meeting 
was held on the 7th, when good progress was reported, 
and the first executive elected as follows : President, 
Mr. Councillor Wilson; vice-presidents, Messrs. G. 
Boden and J. Kershaw, sen.; treasurer, Mr. J. Lord ; 
secretary, Mr. W. Broomhall, 5, Hardman-street, Long- 
sight; committee, Messrs. E. J. Armstrong, S. Boden, 
T. Broadhurst, J. Hambleton, and J. Kershaw, jnn. 
The club is to be limited to twenty-five members, and 
already fourteen ordinary and eight honorary members 
are on thejroll-call. The subscription is fixed at lOs. 6d. 
Periodical competitions are to be held for prizes, some 
of which, it is confidently expected, will be given by 
gentlemen prominent for their liberality in promoting 
angling. The first Tuesday in each month is to be the 
meeting night. To the uninitiated, from the reports of 
the efforts put forth by various authorities in the matter 
of river pollution, it may appear that our best interests 
are being looked after, and that soon any amount of 
angling will follow, but if we wait for the same until 
the Mersey and Irwell are in condition, old age will 
then prevent us from partaking. 
Trout-fishing is now all that can be indulged in in 
public waters, and the amount of private waters in 
which coarse-fishing is allowed will not count for much, 
and, with the sportsman, for nothing. True, there is 
a great diversity of opinion as to the exact time which 
should be generally acknowledged as correct; but, of 
course, private opinion counts for nothing. Law is law, 
and must be obeyed. If anglers would devote the same 
amount of time and energy to helping on items likely to 
benefit themselves, and discard the habit of kicking up 
their heels against laws signed and sealed, they would 
find more satisfactory results forthcoming. For instance, 
it is too much trouble to fill up the forms recently sent 
out to the clubs asking for particulars to forward to the 
railway companies as arguments in favour of restoring 
the privileges we once enjoyed, but which were taken 
from us in consequence of abuse by a few bad characters, 
and the incompetence of various officials who were 
unable to determine on the best methods to be used in 
controlling the issue and working of the same. 
The new club at Knutsford is not a Lancashire club, 
but yet is so near to the city of Manchester that it really 
may be counted as one, for already a goodly list of 
Manchester anglers have enrolled themselves under 
what promises to be a glorious standard. Already the 
total is creeping up towards three figures, and, if we 
mistake not, a very few weeks will suffice to have this 
organisation in working order and on good lines. The 
locality is certainly a good one, and contains plenty of 
waters. 
The Mass Side Socials held their first contest for 
prizes last Saturday, with the following result: 1st, E. 
Tate; 2nd, W. Chambers; 3rd, T. Routledge; 4th, T. 
Chambers ; 5th, J. Fulton; 6th, F. Tunnacliffe. 
FROM NOTTINGHAM- 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
If a comparatively low-running river were any induce¬ 
ment to the chub fishermen to try their skill just 
previously to the commencement of the close season. 
then from Friday to Tuesday last they had certainly 
nothing to complain of. The water, although slightly 
high, possessed many attractive features, and on certain 
of the reaches protected by the wind the utmost activity 
prevailed. The principal baits relied on for sport were 
chandlers’ greaves and bullocks’ pith and brains, and 
both accounted for fish. At Fiskerton one was killed 
out on the common; it weighed, I understand, 41b. 2oz. 
Until the river ran in so decidedly, bream and roach 
were biting freely at the worm, but after Friday the 
chub swims claimed the greatest share of attention. 
Pike fishermen pardon the term—were out, even on 
the concluding day, and in one of the lower private 
waters a notorious fellow, who held a ticket for 
Shardlow, killed, with friends, no fewer than sixteen 
fish. Some of these did not weigh 21b. apiece, and the 
biggest in the whole take did not exceed 61b. What a 
cruel shame, and the wonder is that gentlemen would 
tolerate such a body of poachers on their waters. 
At Wilford, the principal operators on the chub swims 
were the owners of punts and three or four of the old 
subscribers to the fishery. No very large fish were 
secured, but on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, some¬ 
thing like forty fell to greaves. Higher up the length, 
or at Clifton, Mr. J. Boyd caught, on Thursday, bream 
up to S^lbs. apiece, and, in the Bridge Meadow, numerous 
big roach fell to the rod of Mr. T. Castles. 
At Trent Look, on Saturday, the members of the 
Nottingham Shoulder of Mutton Society fished their 
last roving competition of the season. The fish bit 
wretchedly, and only one, an eel, was, I hear, killed. 
This fell to the rod of Mr. Harry Jackson, and won for 
him the premier prize. On Wednesday night the second 
annual dinner of the society was held at the Malt Cross 
Inn, Nottingham, under the presidency of Mr. J. H. 
Brown. It is reported that' the society intend to 
shift their meeting-quarters to another house in the 
town. 
At Weston, on Thursday, bream were killed by 
Messrs. Greaves, F. Gamble, Johnson, and ’Theaker, 
and at the weirs, Mr. T. Wood, lessee, hooked his first 
salmon of the season with an artificial bait. The fish 
was only slightly hooked, and broke away after a pro¬ 
longed fight. Salmon are showing at Wenham Hole, 
in the Channel swim, and two of fully 201b. each appear 
to have taken possession of the deep run immediately 
above Colwick Weir. 
On Thursday night, before a large audience, and with 
the vicar of the parish in the chair, I delivered a 
lecture entitled. “ A Night with an Angler—his Rambles 
and his Catches,” in the large schoolroom connected 
with St. Saviour’s Church, Nottingham. 
FROM SHEFFIELD. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
With the trips of last Monday and Tuesday into 
Lincolnshire closed the 1892-93 season for angling for 
coarse fish, and the vast army of Sheffield anglers will 
now either have to put away the implements of pisca¬ 
torial warfare and rest awhile, or seek fresh woods and 
pastures new in search of the bonny trout or lordly 
salmon. The trips in question, which were to Lincoln, 
Boston, and all intermediate fishing grounds, were 
largely taken advantage of by those who were anxious 
to end the season well. Speaking generally, the results 
were gratifying. The Trent yielded well, and so did the 
Horncastle canal at Tattershall, although those who 
tiled their luck in the Forty-foot drain outside Boston 
suffered severe disappointment, the catches from that 
particular water being small and few in number. How¬ 
ever, considering the fact that the season was at an end, 
no one had just cause for complaint. 
A few words, as a sort of review of the past season, 
will be expected from me this week. Taking it on the 
whole it has been quite on a par with those of recent 
years, and neither the individual angler nor yet the 
association has any ground for grumbling. The 
association has been well supported, and its trips 
largely patronised; and it has, during the year, 
acquired a new stretch of the river Idle, near Retford, 
that bids fair to become a popular and paying resort. 
The trent has been tried regularly, and has maintained 
its reputation as a good all-round stream, nor has it 
done anything to lose its character for fickleness. The 
Lincolnshire waters, too, including the Witham, the 
Ancholme, and the sluggish drains and canals with 
which the county is intersected, have contributed their 
quota to the laden creels that from week end to week 
end have come Sheffieldwards. During the last few 
months, however, more fish have been taken from the 
Horncastle canal at Tattershall than elsewhere. I do 
not know that the association possess the right to fish 
in this water, but certain it is that many have done so, 
and with very gratifying results, too. If the association 
have not secured the right I should recommend them to 
take that step without delay, as the canal is well 
stocked, is easy to access, and presents few difficulties 
that the ordinary angler could not surmount. Such in 
brief is the outline of the season now ended. There are 
no phenomenal catches to record, nothing out of the 
common to chronicle. All the same the season has been 
a good one, has seen some good work done, both in 
committee room and at the river side, and now it is 
ended we can all look back upon a year of solid prosperity 
and good feeling one towards another. 
I would recommend every reader of these notes who 
happens to be in the direction of Scotland-street to 
turn into the tackle shop of Mr. W. Thompson, where 
he will see a splendid specimen of Scotch salmon. It 
was caught by Mr. Smith, of Barnes Hall, and weighed 
361b. when landed. It has just returned from a London 
taxidermist’s, and is well worth seeing. 
