SUPPLEMENT TO THE FISHING GAZETTE 
_SATURJiXAY/ APRIL 8, 1893. 
®>rovincial Botes 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette, 
, committee appointed to report upon and suggest 
the best means for raising the necessary funds for pro¬ 
viding the members of the Birmingham and District 
Angling Association with a challenge cup to be fished for 
at the annual contests, and also to frame the conditions 
tor the fishing for the cup, met on Friday to finish their 
labours, previous to their work being laid before the 
special general meeting to be called to finally decide 
upon this important matter. The final resolutions passed 
by the committee are as follows :— 
1. That it is the opinion of the sub-committee that a 
special levy of 3d. per member be declared upon each mem¬ 
ber 01 the Birmingham and District Angling Association, 
towards the purchasing of a challenge cup (this will 
realise a sum of about ^37); also that efforts be made to 
mduce members and friends of the association to contri¬ 
bute by way of donation to increase the fund, so that the 
cup may be made as valuable as possible. 
, above levy be made compulsory, and that 
the date upon which the levy is to be made payable shall 
be determined at the special general meeting. 
3. That the cup remain the property of the associa- 
tion; that the name of the winner and the club to which 
u engraved upon it each year ; and that it 
shall be kept by the club to which the member belongs for 
twelve months after giving the necessary guarantee for 
Its sate keeping. 
4. That the cup be returned to the association one 
month prior to the annual contest. 
5. That the above details be taken into consideration 
at a special general meeting on Thursday evening 
April_2i next. 
1 claimed for the acceptance of the first reso¬ 
lution that all members should pay an equal share, and 
to make it compulsory would be to ensure its success ; 
it womd also make the cup a thoroughly representative 
one.^ The reason advanced by the committee for sug¬ 
gesting the cup remaining the property of the assooia- 
if otherwise decided it would point to the 
probability of a series of levies being made upon the 
members from time to time. And this the committee 
desire to avoid as lar as possible. There was another 
matter discussed by the committee, but not carried ; 
that was that the winner of the cup should be presented 
witha medal or certificate. I am sorry that thecom- 
mittee did not carry this matter, as I think it advisable 
that the winner should have something to show per¬ 
sonally that he did upon some past occasion have the 
honour of winning the cup. This will not pass 
unnoticed at the general meeting. All the clubs will 
have the resolutions forwarded to them as passed by the 
committee, so that the whole of the members may be 
acquainted with the digest of the scheme. The clubs 
will also instruct their delegates how to act. 
am sorry to see that a few of the Birmingham 
societies who rent private water have decided to allow 
their members to fish their waters during the close 
season. This is the sort of thing that is allowed by cer- 
tam clubs who should set an example for their poorer 
brethren to follow, as it is for the clubs who rent water 
in their own interests to prevent this wholesale slaughter, 
and prevent, as far as possible, the fish being killed that 
would be the means infuture years of providing sport for 
the members. It is like “ killing the goose that lays the 
golden egg.” 
All the clubs in the Midlands are not alike, I am 
pleased to say, for those of the better class which rent 
water, not only respect the close season, but also fix a 
size for the various classes of fish to be retained. This 
IS what all water-renting clubs should do. 
Mr. W. H. Davies has been appointed general secre¬ 
tary of the Kidderminster Association, in the place of 
Mr. E. Dutfield. Mr. Davies also informs me that the 
association has accepted the Willis Bund Society into 
their association, subject to the approval of the Pro¬ 
vincial Angling Association. The Kidderminster anglers 
also intend holding a hig contest during the forthcoming 
season. I am pleased to hear of this, as it will put a bit 
of new life into the association, and, I hope, be a 
thorough success. 
FROM HAMPSHIRE AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Test. —Several anglers were out on Monday, but I 
have not heard of anything large being taken. The 
bright and clear condition of the water makes heavy 
creels very difficult to obtain ; rain also is much needed 
in all of the Hampshire streams, particularly in those 
which have a chalky bottom. A few trout have, of 
course, been taken—two from the public waters just 
above St. Cross, at Winchester—but the largest fish 
appear somewhat backward. March Browns are useful 
here, but in the event of a heavy rain—and I sincerely 
hope we shall have it soon—then I should prefer the 
minnow or the worm. Of course the fly is the ideal 
h^'^' • ^ clear water, and I need hardly say that if 
the river remains in its present form, the finest of tackle 
must be used to stand a chance of success. 
Itchen. —Anglers are crying out for rain, and, until 
we get a good shower to colour the water just a wee bit, 
we can’t expect big takes. The trout are here, there’s 
no douht about that, for one has only to take an evening 
walk by the riverside to see plenty of the speckled 
beauties. Rises are generally frequent in the early 
morning before the sun gets too powerful. 
Avon. —Since my last report two grand salmon have 
been taken at Ringwood. Captain Douglass had a 
28i-pounder, and another gentleman, whose name has 
slipped my tongue, had one about 261b. Both were in 
splendid condition. Several smaller fish have been 
taken, and a few good trout, but rain is greatly needed 
to ensure good sport. The hot broiling weather has 
brought many of the feathered trihe amongst us before 
their time, and at the rivers can be noticed flies 
innumerable hatched by the warm rays. An old angler 
states that he fails to remember such a spell of fine 
weather in the whole of his career—for the time of year 
of course.—J. E. W. _ 
FROM THE LAKE DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The holidays have come and gone, without any change 
in the phenomenal weather which has prevailed during 
the latter half of sturdy March,” a month which has 
this year proved that it is not always one of “ many 
weathers.” To the ordinary pleasure-seeker Easter, 
1893, has afforded unlimited opportunity for outdoor 
recreation. Anglers, however, are not ordinary mortals ; 
they admire not the sunn.y sky and absence of rain when 
on fishing bent. Like true philosophers, nevertheless, 
the.v make the most of conditions as they are, and Good 
Friday found many of the brotherhood indulging in 
their favourite pastime. A fair contingent visited the 
Pool and its tributaries, amongst whom were Messrs. 
Garnett, Hoggarth, F. Pollitt, C. Bateson, and others 
from Kendal. The two last-named gentlemen were pro¬ 
bably the most successful, returning home with a very 
respectable show for their outing. A large number of 
eels and a few “ flounders ” were also taken from these 
waters, both with worm and the murderous eel-spear. 
Many anglers have also been found on the upper reaches 
of the Kent, Mr. J. Whitehead on several occasions 
haying panniers of from five to twenty-three trout. On 
Friday Mr. R. Anson had 51b., and on the following day 
thirteen fish said to have been the best capture of the 
week, averaging, our informant states, “ over half-a- 
pound ” each.” Amongst others, Mr. Wilson had seven 
nice trout; Mr. N. Bolton, five ; Mr. C. Macdonald, 
eight or nine ; and Mr. H. Mann a few good fish in the 
vicinity of Staveley. 
Mr. J. W. Jackson and friend, trolling in Bassen- 
thwaite Lake, secured two or three good trout of about 
a pound each. While playing one fish it was seized by 
a monster pike which broke the tackle and escaped. 
Trolling has also accounted for many in Derwent- 
water, the following catches being to hand; Mr. J. 
Lowther, seven, best 31b. ; Messrs. J. Hodgson and W. 
Newton, four, two best scaling 61b. ; Mr. J. Kirkley, 
four; Mr. J. Watt, two, one 41b. and the other IJlb. 
Other successful anglers were Messrs. J. Hudspith, C. 
Alcock, J. Fisher, and J. Bowe. The baits most largely 
patronised were the natural and artificial minnow. 
The want of rain is beginning to be felt generally, and 
most streams are now lower than they ought to be. 
FROM LANCASHIRE. 
To tbe Bdftor Him fishing Gazette. 
On Good Friday an open match was fished in the 
Crompton Lodges at Moses Gate for five valuable prizes, 
with the following result:—Ist prize, G. Bromilow ; 
2nd prize, G. Heywood; 3rd prize. Walker ; 4th 
prize, T. Bromilow ; 5th prize, O. Wolstencroft. With 
the exception of the third prize, all prize winners hailed 
from the Robin Hood Angling Society, whose head¬ 
quarters are at Clifton. A visit to this club was paid 
by two Manchester gentlemen on the 1st, and naturally 
found the members in good spirits over their pro¬ 
nounced success. Theyareinot likely to be short of clocks 
for some time to come. 
Amateur or cheap law is a dangerous policy, and the 
interests of Manchester anglers are sulfering just at 
present in consequence of such a policy. Fortunately 
money is scarce, or a very remarkable deed is about the 
finest subject-matter for a lawsuit that it is possible to 
find. 
From time immemorial angling has been looked upon 
as a purely unselfish sport; but, when we hear of one 
society offering ^826 for the waters held by another 
society for ^616, words fail to express the feelings of all 
honest anglers. That a club already boasting of some 
half dozen private waters for less than fifty 
members, to try and buy over at a higher price 
the only private fishing of some hundreds of working 
men is a contemptible action, and, if persisted in, the 
chief actors will be at once denounced in print. Such 
actions remind us of the man who coveted Naboth’s 
vineyard. Some little doubt exists in the minds of 
many anglers as to the necessity of a rule dealing with 
Sunday fishing in any association. For instance, the two 
Manchester associations have rules discountenancing 
Sunday fishing but still allow it to be done, and many 
argue that the said rule should be expunged. Now, to 
discountenance is not to prohibit but to forbear pro¬ 
moting or encouraging, and the two executives are wise 
in abstaining from any attempt to deprive a man of his 
birthright of free-agency. 
The Salford Friendly Angling Society has recently 
passed a rule allowing the members to take and weigh in 
pike all the year round. In this club pike are con¬ 
sidered poachers, and, whilst in days gone past may 
have been useful in keeping other fish within bounds, 
at present are fast depleting our waters of fish. 
'The New Islington Teetotal Angling Society has 
removed headquarters to 70, South Porter-street, Butler- 
street, Manchester. Their strength is augmented, and 
the society is determined to support every movement of 
a local character, to endeavour to provide sport for 
working men and other anglers. This is a commendable 
and creditable policy. _ 
FROM MONMOUTHSHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
All the rivers in this district have fallen to summer 
level, and, with bright weather, east wind, and low, 
clear water, little has been done. In the Wye, about 
and below Monmouth, I can only hear of one fish being 
killed. This was got by Mr. Prosser and weighed 161b. 
It was caught with the artificial minnow. Although 
both fly and prawn have been tried, it has been without 
success, and I don’t think there are many clean fish in 
this part of the river as yet. The Monnow is also com¬ 
pletely out of trim. As showing what a late river 
this is, two trout were caught the other day, about jlb 
each, with the spawn running out of them. In my opinion 
March 1 is too early to begin, and the opening might 
well bo delayed for another month. 
The Grannom has just come on, and will kiU if the 
water comes into condition. I always think that fisher¬ 
men make a mistake in dressing this fly with the green 
bunch of eggs on the tail. Directly the fly touches the 
water he drops this, and it is then that he is taken by 
the fish. At any rate, I have found the one without the 
eggs kill best in these parts. 
Mr. Crompton-Roberts has been hard at work netting 
his water near Monmouth in order to get out the coarse 
fish, and is re-stocking with trout of a fresh blood. 
This lower part of the fishing has been neglected of late 
years, but now that it is being energetically taken in 
hand there is no reason why it should not become as 
good ss any other part of the river, except that it has 
more deep, dead water than the upper reaches. 
The river is now strictly preserved, and everything is 
being done to improve it from source to mouth. There 
is hardly a portion of the river now (certainly in its 
lower parts), where anything but the artificial fly is 
allowed, but it is a very shy river, and difficult to fish on 
account of trees. 
FROM NORFOLK. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Trout fishing commenced in earnest on the 1st, several 
rods being out that day, but, owing to the lowness of the 
water in all our local streams, little was done. 
On Monday (Bank Holiday) several anglers were out 
with the fly rod, but takes were again small, the best 
bag being 6i- brace. The best fish yet is one of 2ilb., 
while one of 11b. 4oz. fell to the rod of Mr. Simpson. 
This gentleman on Friday had some good roach from the 
Wensum, at Hellesdon, two fish I saw when he had just 
landed them were Ijlb. each ; he also had ten splendid 
dace the same day. 
That veteran angler, Mr. W. Mills, of the Bordesley 
Waltonians, Birmingham, was fishing at Salhonse on 
Monday with Mr. W. Cushing, of Norwich. The total 
bag of the two anglers was 3^ stone of perch, several of 
which were over lib. and one was 21b. 
Another good bag of coarse fish, mostly roach, tota 
4 stone, was made by two anglers on Monday, near Nor¬ 
wich, I believe from the Wensum, at Cossey. Mr. 
Gunn, who saw some of the fish, told me to-day that a 
score of them were over l^lb. a fish, and they were a 
splendid lot altogether. _ 
FROM NOTTINGHAM- 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
On Easter Monday I received a call at Trent Bridge 
from a very old friend and once enthusiastic angler, Mr. 
W. Shrewsbury, pater of Arthur Shrewsbury, the distin¬ 
guished cricketer. His mission to me was to assure me 
that I ought to come without delay to the quaint little 
village of Fiskerton, and there try for several big salmon 
which he explained were often leaping in the river in the 
vicinity of the Tub Hole and Boat Hole—formerly noted 
barbel swims. The waters here are rented by Mr. David 
Slater, of Newark, and my object more particularly in 
calling attention to my friendly chat with Mr. Shrews¬ 
bury is to let Mr. Slater’s subscribers know that there 
may possibly be a bit of sport in store for them there. 
Nottingham anglers cordially thank your Derbyshire 
contributor for his explanation last week of the legal 
powers supposed to be possessed by a body here styling 
themselves the Notts Anglers’ Association. They are 
now thoroughly satisfied as to their status. Having no 
rented waters of their own, it certainly seemed surprising 
to some that they were able to institute criminal pro¬ 
ceedings against offenders, and obtain convictions with¬ 
out the aid of the Trent Fishery Board and their sealed 
bye-laws. People now know their position, and are 
obliged, especially as the writer of the explanation in 
the Fishing Gazette last week was called upon in his 
official espaoity to produce the bye-la vs under which 
justices in the recent cases proceeded to convict. 
FROM SHEFFIELD. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Charles Reade, the novelist, in one of his works of 
fiction, speaks of the rivers of Sheffield as “ blacking,” 
creeping through the town ‘‘heavily charged with dyes, 
clogged with putridity, and bubbling with poisonous 
gases, till at last they turn to mere ink, stink, and 
malaria, and people the churchyards as they go.” 
Times have changed since then, and with them the 
rivers have undergone an alteration for the better. An 
enlightened corporation has somewhat tardily taken in 
hand the work of looking after the local streams, and 
now, if not exactly as clear as crystal, they at least are 
capable of supporting fish. A week ago last Thursday, 
