SUPPLEMENT TO THE FISHING GAZETTE 
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1893. 
NOTES FOR CLUB ANGLERS. 
The angling season closed on the Lea on Friday. 
The annual meeting and election of o®?®" 
New Albion Piscatorials. Duke of Kent, Old Kent- 
road, will take place on Thursday, April 13, at.» p.m. 
The Waveney Angling Club fished a competitio^n 
Saturday at Beccles, when prizes were taken by ( 1 ) Mr 
B. Revell, (2) Mr. Bouse, and (3) Mr. G. Finch. The 
competition was confined to roach. 
A siLYEE snuff-box has been presented to Mr. E. W. 
Hailes the much-respected secretary of the Epsom 
Angling Society, as a slight recognition of his many 
services. Mr, Hailes’ first pinch out of the box was a 
five pound note—a further present from his fellow- 
members. _ 
I HEAR of a place, within 100 miles of London, where 
the much-coveted 401b. pike is to be found. He has 
mined the locals in tackle, and then, having no further 
appliances, sent up to a pike angler in London to go 
down and slay the monster. This gentleman was only 
too eager for the fray, but the 40-pounder declined the 
challenge. A 151b. fish, however, went for the bait (a 
Mb. roach), and was quickly captured. Some day tke 
40-pounder will find an angler one too many for him. 
The dace may be seen heading-up the stream in large 
quantities at Broxbourne; shoals of bleak are accom¬ 
panying them. _ 
Trout fishing opens on the Thames to-day (Saturday), 
and I hear that many of the professional fishermen have 
been engaged to go out. During the last lew days a 
number of fish have been seen dashing about ^ter the 
bleak at Hampton Court, Sunbury, Staines, Datchet, 
Windsor, Shepperton, and Kingston. The season 
promises to open auspiciously. 
Dace and perch used to be taken in the Surrey Canal 
years ago; pike were also caught there, aM as for 
roach there are some plumpers even now at Beckham, 
Camberwell, and Deptford. I have just been shown a 
club ticket, dated July 23, 1889, where a member of the 
Marlborough Angling Society took a roach ot lib. 5oz. 
from “the canal at Beckham.” June (after the loth), 
July, and August, are good months to try for the nsh. 
Speaking personally, I mean to get a specimen or two 
for show at the club in the ensuing season to whack all 
the Hampshire “ pigs.” 
The British Sea Anglers’ Society met on Tuesday 
night at the Grosvenor Hotel, Huckingham Balaco-road 
Sir Edward Birkbeck presided. The rules were ailopted 
after revision, and I was informed that tte London 
members of the society now number over 100. The list 
of vice-presidents includes the Eight Hon. Sir yV. i. 
Marriott, Q.C., M.B. -, Sir Albert Eo’dit, M.B. ; Mr. H. 
Foster, M.B. : the Mayor of Deal, Dover, Scarborough 
and Great Yarmouth ; the Chairman of the Scotch 
Fishery Board; Colonel Lane, J.F., Major Clifford 
Brobyn, L.C.C.; Captain Lambton Young; Mr. . 
H. Berners ; Mr. J. W. Blakey {Northern Anf/ler); Mr. 
C. H. Cook; Mr. Gerald Geoghegan; Mr. Samuel 
Harwood {Land and Water) ; Mr. J. Watson Lyall (Bod 
and Gun ; Mr.R. B. Marston {Fishing Gazette) ;Mr. i. B. 
Sachs : Mr. W. Senior {Field) ; and Mr. Cholmondeley 
Benneil; Mr. A. Nuthall, J.B. (Bresident of the Thames 
Angling Society); Mr. J. S. Wilcocks. 
Mr. R. B. Martin, M.B., was elected treasurer of 
the society. A branch club of thirty five members has 
been started at Bexhill-on-Sea, with headquarters at 
the Devonshire Hotel. _ 
Several members of the Junior Fly Fishers put in 
some useful practice at Rye House on the 26th. hly 
rods were much in evidence on the lawn. 
in a very short time two long rows of roach-poles con¬ 
nected Broxbourne with St. Margaret’s. Several anglers 
I saw were chub fishing with cheese paste, but roach 
were principally sought after. The fish, however, fed 
very badly again, whilst not a single chub, as far as 1 
could hear, was caught, though one could almost see 
smoke rising from the cheese paste that had been 
prepared to meet their singular tastes. Bassing one 
banker, he invited me to tell him if his paste was of the 
requisite strength, but, thanks to a friendly pun of wind, 
I was saved from an untimely end. The ^ v 
was eau de Cologne to the decoction in his tin box, but 
he assured me that if the chub could only once smell it 
they would never leave it. I suppose he meant it would 
kill them; however, I didn’t argue, but simply ran 
away. _ 
I have used very hot cheese paste myself, but, oh! 
this man’s paste—it was almost alarming. I hope if he 
ever reads a paper on “How to catch chub, he will 
leave the cheese paste behind. There would sure to be 
a panic the moment it was introduced. 
The weighing-in took place at “ Ye Old Rye House, at 
five o’clock, and twenty-seven anglers registered fish. 
Several of the roach were pretty specimens. As they lay 
on the table in the little pavilion, which does duty as a 
refreshment bar on Bank Holidays, one could not help 
thinking that Lea roach fishing was still worth following 
up. One of the roach was l^lb. The following are the 
names of the first twelve successful anglers, and the 
weights of their takes :—1, F. Gibbons (Eustonians), 
31b lioz.; 2, J. A. Fitch (Great Northern Brothers), 
lib! 13oz ; 3, R. Coles (Hounsfield Otters), 11b. lOioz. ; 
4 W. Taylor (Bermondsey Brothers), lib. 54 OZ.: d, J. vVill- 
g'oss (Clapham Junction), lib. 4oz. ; 6 , G. Riggs (Globe), 
11b ioz • 7, A. Sims (Original Alexandra), 15Joz.; 8 , 
A Freeman (Dalston), 14|oz. ; 9, G. Franklin (Crown 
and Buckland), 14oz. ; 10, C. Troomey (Brince of Wales), 
lljoz. ; 11, F. Baldwin (Dalston), OJoz. ; and 12, Blyth 
(Amicable Excelsior), 8 foz. 
During the day Mr. B. Abrahams went round with 
the A. B. B., and was well patronised. He also made a 
collection in the train for the driver and guard of the 
“ special.” __ 
The competition has been a great success, and will 
result in a considerable sum being added to the funds of 
the Anglers’ Benevolent Society. The prizes in connec¬ 
tion with it will, I am informed, be distributed on 
April 24, at the Spread Eagle, Kingsland-road. 
Goosequill, 
I hear some bad news for club anglers about the 
Stour at Christchurch. I am inquiring into the matter, 
and in the meantime trust the rumours that has reached 
me are untrue. _ 
Mr. Newbury is having his two big pike set up. 
Their worth would have been added to if he could have 
placed the third fish he hooked beside them. It was 
another 20 -pounder. __ 
The Houndsfield Otters will have some trout fishing 
experiences shortly. I hear Mr. G. Hoyle is to visit 
them in the course of the next three weeks. 
Sir George Findlay, the late general manager of 
the London and North-Western Railway, was an ardent 
salmon angler. _ 
Another" special” ran to Eye House on the 26th, 
conveying anglers to renew the competition which had 
been organised in aid of the funds of the Anglers Bene¬ 
volent Society and the Anglers’ Convalescent Home. As 
on the previous occasion the weather was gloriously fine, 
and the water, though brighter than the previous 
Sunday, was not in bad condition. The competitors, 
however, only numbered 205 as against 413 at the open¬ 
ing of the match. When the gun went off there was 
another run for the swims, and one or two tumbles, and 
RICHMOND BISCATOEIAL SOCIETY. 
The members and friends of this society had one of 
their social re-unions on Friday evening in last week 
under the designation of a supper, followed by a concert 
under the direction of Mr. F. W. Berkins, one of its best 
fishing members, whose trophies in connection with Mr. 
Gaunt have established him a high reputation. The 
supper took place in the club-room at the Greyhound 
Hotel, Richmond, which has recently undergone renova¬ 
tion and decoration, and the popular proprietor, Mr. n. 
C Monflet, gave them an excellent spread, which gave 
every satisfaction. Mr. H. Heath, the esteeriied chair¬ 
man of the society, presided on the occasion, aiM, 
amongst the numerous company, was supported by 
Messrs. F. Hyde, C W. Better, F. H H. Hebb, 
S. Michels, Harry Davis, W. H Brougham G. H. 
Wright (hon. sec.), W. T. Clark F. W. Berkins, 
H. Hawley, R. Grant, C. Metcalf, 
J Cockburn, J. Cockburn, jun., W. Jones, A. Herbert, 
and F C. Cheeswright. After justice had been done to 
the good things, the chairman gave the usual loyal toast, 
and in proposing it, remarked there would be no 
speeches that evening, as, with the exceptional one of 
the society, the evening would be devoted to harnaony. 
Mr. A. Wareham commenced with a choice pianoforte 
solo and throughout accompanied in his usual first-rate 
style the various songs. Mr. Grant and Mr. Botter ffR^e 
an exquisite and descriptive plantation duet on the 
banjoes. Mr. Shepherd, in bis rendering |of comic songs, 
was hio’hly applauded, and, in a loud demand for repeti¬ 
tion of" Days gone by,” he gave a short and amusing 
recitation. Mr. F. W. Berkins is an established 
favourite in the display of his vocal powep ; and 
amongst others who contributed some capital harmony 
were Mr. Frank Gore, Mr. Herbert, and Mr. Michels. 
There can be no doubt these attractive evenings conduce 
to popularising the society and promoting its prosperity. 
Navigation of the Nene. —At the last meeting of 
the Northants County Council, Councillor Dudley again 
called attention to the state of the navigation and drain¬ 
age of the river Nene. He was of opinion that the con- 
dTtion of the river was most unsatisfactory, and urged 
the council to combine with othe public bodies and 
have the state of things remedied. He thought it would 
be almost a national disaster to have the waterway 
closed as it connected all the canals with the sea. Ihe 
Nene navigation commissioners had not done their duty 
or the river would not be in such a deplorable conditmn. 
Councillors Monckton and Simpson supported the motion, 
and Mr. Monckton said that the health of the people 
ought to be the first consideration. The resolution was 
carried and a committee of five members was appointed. 
This much neglected stream will now, receive P^ope^ 
attention. Only a part of it is navigable, and that 
would soon have to be closed unless steps are taken to 
remedy the present state of things, which is alike 
ruinous to bargemen, boatmen, and anglers. J. L. W. 
Botes 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The monthly meeting of the committee of the Birm¬ 
ingham Anglers’ Benevolent Society was held at the 
Birmingham Arms Hotel, Smithfield, on Friday evMing 
last, March 24. Mr. T. Coles presided, and Mr. C. 
occupied the vice-chair. The meeting was well attended. 
The minutes of the previous meeting, held Fob. 24, were 
read and confirmed, when an application for relief from 
the Birmingham Heath Society was brought fOTWard, 
and granted to one of the society’s members. The divi¬ 
sional committee reports were next taken, when Messrs. 
White, Reynolds, and Marsden gave in their reports ot 
their visits to the Brookfields and St. John’s Socienes. 
The reports went to show that the whole of the members 
comprising these societies promised to join the benevo¬ 
lent society. Messrs. White and Hughes gave in a 
report of their visit to the Alliance Society in No. - 
division, this report was very favourable, as. ^ 2 ^'' 
sixty members promised to become identified with the 
society. No reports were given by the No. 3 divisional 
committee. Mr. Coles gave in a report of his visit to 
the Balsall Heath Britannia Society in No. 4 division, 
this report was also very favourable. The whole ot ‘he 
reports were adopted, and a vote of thanks was passed to 
the various committees for their services. Mr. Reynolds 
brought before the notice of the meeting the advisability 
of the annual contest taking place sooner than it did 
last year, and also advocated that the contest be fished 
on a Saturday afternoon. And, if possible, another con¬ 
test be fished later on in the season, so that the whom 
of the members could take part in the contests and help 
to increase the finances of the society. The motion ot 
Mr. Reynolds was unanimously carried, and it was 
decided to hold the contest on Saturday afternoon, 
July 15, next, the place for the contest to be decided 
upon at the next meeting of the committee. Several 
valuable prizes were promised by the gentlemen Pto^sht 
for beth contests ; and the committee have pledged them 
selves to obtain a good supply of prizes for this lortb- 
coming event. This concluded the chief business ot the 
Now^'hat the close season is upon us the clubs should 
lose no time in making the necessary arrangements tor 
the benefit and welfare of their members. By the time 
the close season ends some of the clubs will ce in pos¬ 
session of private waters, which they have n<^ hitherto 
had the privilege of fishing. A great number ot our 
clubs have been on the look out for private waters tor a 
long time, and some of them have lately rented waters 
which I hope will turn out satisfactory. The bt. 
Stephen’s and Manor Clubs have just rented some very 
good water. The latter club have taken a portion ot 
the Myra Canal at Stoke Golding, and I wish to intorm 
the clubs who are on the look out for water, and pwter 
the canal to the river, that there stiU remains about 
fifteen miles of the Myra Canal to let. The one great 
drawback to this water is that there are no Sunday 
trains, and persons wishing to fish the water on Sunday 
must walk from Nuneaton, which is about five miles; 
but on the week days there is a good service of tr.uns, 
and, in order to suit the requirements of the members 
of the Birmingham Association, the Midland Railway 
Company have granted the privilege for the members to 
travel to Stoke Golding at a fare of 23. 6 d. and Market 
Bosworth at a fare of 23. lid. Now that this com¬ 
pany have granted the concessions to these statioM 
the water will soon be in demand, and tor the 
information of the clubs who wish to secure stretches 
of it, I should advise them in the first instance 
to write to Mr. McCullum, Midland Railway Estate 
Agent, Derby, for particulars, as the canal belongs to 
the railway company. This canal is strictly preserved 
and watched over by the servants of the company, and 
is as good fishing as any canal in the midlands. 1 have 
lately heard of some more canal water to let, which is 
about three miles of the Fazeley Canal, the nearest 
station to which is Fazeley on the Midland. This water 
is also very good and protected by the canal company. 
The water is to let for three years, and I have been 
informed that .£20 will secure the entire rights for the 
three years. The water can be fished on Sundays, and 
there is a good service of trains either on Sunday or 
week days. If any society should wish to acqume this 
water I should advise them to apply to Mr. Hutton, 
Old Wharf, Baradise-sfcreet, Birmingham. 
I am sorry to inform the readers of the L is/nng 
Gazette that Mr. W. Luker, the secretary of the Glou¬ 
cester Associatiou and member of the provincial com¬ 
mittee, has been confined to his bed for more than a 
month with rheumatism ; but I am pleased to say that 
he is now very muoh better, and able to get abouj 
again. — 
FROM DERBYSHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
In continuation of my last week’s reniarks on the 
general nature and results of the coarse fish season, 1 
Lve not a geat deal to add. There is probab y no river 
in the United Kingdon (Scotland and Irelan^d may not 
of course be considered) which carries such a h^d ot 
bream—to borrow a “shooting” phrase, as the irent 
does in some of its reaches. Indeed, above Weston 
there is probably the most prolific and best stocked bit 
of bream water in this country, which can be fashed by 
season ticket. On some days they may be seen rolling 
about in hundreds and yet they are terribly hard to 
