27G 
THE FISHING GAZETTE 
[April 15, 1893 
band o’ bia breeks, then up to the middle button 
o’ his waistcoat, th'-n to the verra briest, then to 
the oxters, then to the neck, and then to the 
Terra chin o' him, sae that you wimnered how he 
could ding the flee, till last o’ a’he would plump 
richt oot o’ sight till Billy Balmer. his favourite 
henchman, thocht him drooned ! No he, indeed ; 
sae he takes to the sooming and strikes awa wi’ 
ae arm, for the ither had baud o’ the rod. and 
could ye believe'c, though it's as true as Scripture, 
fishing a’ the time, that no a moment o’ the cloudy 
day- micht be lost; ettles at an island a quarter 
o’ a mile aff, wi’ trees, and an auld ruin o' a 
Telegious house, wherein beads used to becounted, 
and wafers eaten, and mass muttered hundreds o’ 
years ago; and getting footing on a yellow sand 
or the green sward, he but gies himself a shake, 
and ere the sun looks out o’ theclud has hyucket 
a four pounder, which in four minutes (for it’s a 
multiplying pirn the cretur uses) he lands, gasp¬ 
ing through the giant gills, and glittering wi’ a 
thousand spots, streaks, and stars, on the shore.” 
The Shepherd, however,” some fourte^n years 
later refused an invitation to visit Westmorland 
in the following characteristic letter, which I can¬ 
not forbear quoting at it is such a rich production : 
“Mount Benger, August 11, 1829. My dear and 
honoured John,—I never thought you had been so 
unconscionable as to desire a sportsman on the 
11th or even the 13th of August to leave Ettrick 
Forestfor the bare scraggy hills of Westmoreland ! 
Ettrick Forest where the black cocks and 
white cocks, brown cocks and grey cocks, 
ducks, plovers, and peasewerps and whilly 
whaups are as thick as the flocks that 
cover her mountains, and come to the hills of 
Westmoreland that can nourish nothing better 
than a castrel or stonechat. To leave the great 
yellow fir of Yarrow, or the still larger grey- 
locher for the degenerate fry of Troutbeck, 
Esthwaite or even Wastwater. No, no, the 
request will not do, it is an unreasonable one, and 
therefore not unlike yourself, for, besides, what 
would become of Old North and Blackwood, and 
all oi;r friends for game were I to come to 
Elleray just now ? I know of no home of man 
where I could be so happy within doors with so 
many lovely and joyous faces around me, but this 
is not the season for indoor enjoyments, they 
must be reaped on the wastes of the blooming 
heath, by the silver spring, or swathed in the 
delicious breeze of the wilderness. Happy days 
to you and a safe return.—Yours respectfully, 
James Hogg.” The Shepherd is correct enough 
in regard to some of the hare hills of Westmore¬ 
land, but he cannot persuade the present genera¬ 
tion that Ettrick Forest or the braes of Yarrow 
are anything to be compared to Windermere, 
Keswick, Ullswater, or Grasmere. But to the 
fishing proper. It is impossible to say in the 
face of the new angling arrangements in the 
Lake District what the outcome will be, but 
Windermere and Coniston promise well at the 
outset, the last named perhaps leads the way at 
present, and will be in fishing order before the 
larger lake has got into full swing. The scenery 
around Coniston is surpassingly fine, and in 
some respects resembles that in the vicinity of 
Keswick, most charming of holiday resorts. 
Although Coniston can never equal Windermere 
in its diverse and manifold attractions, it is no 
mean rival, and will attract crowds of visitors 
this year, under the new aspect of affairs in con¬ 
nection with the gentle craft. Harking back 
some ten years ago, the best trout fishing in the 
district then was to be had in the River Lever, 
which flows out of the lake at Newby Bridge. 
Pike fishing on the lake was at that time the 
principal sport, though trout fishing in some parts 
was fair,and an occasional char might be taken. One 
curious circumstance should nob be left without 
mention. Lake AVindermere is fed principally by 
two rivers, the Brathay and the Rothay, which 
tinite and empty themselves into the lake near 
the Waterhead Hotel. Now it is a fact that the 
trout, with few exceptions, ascend the Rothay to 
spawn, whilst the char almost invariably ascend 
the Brathay for that purpose. As regards boats, 
the best supply is to be had at Bowness. Here 
are all kinds both for rowing and sailing, but 
the latter are to bo avoided, as even with the 
most skilful management there is great danger 
from the sudden squalls which come down from 
the mountains. The perch fisher can also enjoy 
his much-loved sport almost anywhere ou the 
lake. The perch run in very fair size, and are 
admirable specimens of their class. Minnows 
and worms are the principal baits, and both are 
plentiful. Some of the best perch are taken in 
the deeper parts of the lake by anchoring your 
boat and fishing with hand lines, which are made 
with a good lead at the end of the line to reach 
the bottom. A piece of whalebone is then 
fastened about 18in. above, which is about a foot 
long, and extends at right angles from the line. 
To each extremity are attached single hooks on 
one strand of gut, and baited with worm or 
minnow. The line is paid out until the lead just 
rests on the bottom, when the slightest bite is 
felt and the line hauled up. There is a cap tal 
place for perch on the opposite side of Bowness, 
where Cunsey Beck, flowing from Esthwaite 
Water, runs into the lake. 
{To he continued.) 
THE FISHING TACKLE EXHIBITS AT 
WESTMINSTER AQUARIUM. 
Those of our readers who intend to visit the so- 
called “Fisheries Exhibition”—it is really an 
excellent, but small, exhibition of rods and tackle 
—are reminded that to-day, April 15, is the last 
day. It is well worth a visit, as we pointed out 
in our notice on March 25, which pretty well 
covered the ground. One or two things deserve 
special notice, such as the registered “ Gaiter 
Wader,” the capital ideaof Mr. R. H. Hardy. To an 
ordinary waterproof fishing-stocking is attached, 
in the same material, a gaiter which is turned up 
when you put on your sock and brogue, and then 
turned down over them. Its advantages are, that 
it effectually prevents sand and mud getting into 
the boots; it keeps the laces, buckles, straps, &c., 
clean ; it protects the waders, and makes walking 
through weeds, grass, &c., less fatiguing. 
Finally, it is very neat in appearance, as it covers 
the useful but ugly woollen socks and brogue tops. 
The illustration explains the idea at once. The 
“ Houghton ” creel is another good thing well 
worth inspection. We recommend Messrs. 
Hardy to adopt Mr. E. M. Tod’s excellent plan 
for lining the creel and holding the lining—we 
have used nothing else since he kindly got one 
fitted for us some years ago. The lining is black 
waterproof cloth, with the rubber on the surface, 
so that it is always perfectly easy to clean it. 
At Mrs. Ogden Smith’s stand, the visitor should 
ask to see the Palmers and similar trout flies 
dressed with fine natural cock’s hackles, also her 
new sea trout patterns. 
The other firms exhibiting are Messrs. J 
Enright and Son, D. Slater and Co., Ogden and 
Scotford, Godfrey C. Cooper, John R. Richardson, 
J. Bernard and Son—all excellent shows. 
Messrs. Hearder, of Plymouth, have a good 
show of sea lines and nets. Anglers who go in 
for sea fishing should get their illustrated cata¬ 
logue. 
THE SUSSEX PISCATORIAL 
SOCIETY. 
AAY have received from Mr. Wm. F. Booth, 
the indefatigable hon. secretary of the Sussex 
Piscatorial Society, a copy of the “ Report ” for 
1892, giving the objects, rules, list of members, 
reprints of papers read, &c., and we are very glad | 
indeed to state that the report is in every way a 
most favourable one, as will be seen from the 
following extracts :— 
Your committee, in presenting the report and balance 
sheet for the year 1892, have again the pleasure of con¬ 
gratulating the members upon the continued prosperity 
of the society. The number of fish captured and the 
high average weight attained are alike creditable, while 
the many additions of specimen fish to the walla of our 
headquarters add much to the attractiveness of the 
place. 
For the benefit of those members who seldom visit 
headquarters, we may state that the table will always 
be found well supplied with current literature, including 
Brighton newspapers. Fishing Gazette, Review of 
Reviews, The Graphic, The American Angler, Rod and 
Gun, Angling, &o., while the library contains many 
valuable and interesting works. 
Owing to Mr. Hamshar leaving Bolney, the society 
can no longer fish in the lakes there, but Mr. Manning- 
ton, of Isfield, very kindly allows members to fish in 
his water, so that the society will not have the use of 
one water the less. 
In addition to this new water the chain of ponds at 
Plashett Park, Isfield, iis placed at the service of the 
society by W. L. Christie, Esq., who at the same time 
kindly consents to act as one of our vice-presidents. 
Chas. Sergison, Esq., has added the waters of Slaugham 
to our list, and allows the society to keep a punt upon 
the water at Cuckfleld; this punt has been generously 
presented to the society by Mr. Butler. Early in the 
year a few Loch Leven trout, hatched by the Brighton 
Aquarium Company, were turned into the trout stream 
at Burgess Hill, while the stream itself has been im¬ 
proved by driving in railway sleepers and making bays. 
Some yearling trout, Salmo fario, and S. Levenensis 
have been placed in the stream at Hassocks, where it is 
hoped they will thrive. They were intended for our 
water at Burgpss Hill, but, owing to delay in transit, 
did not arrive until late at night, and were turned into 
this stream to save their lives. 
During the past year papers have been read by Mr. 
Shrubsole (who kindly came down from London for the 
purpose), the Honorary Secretary, and by Dr. Snell. 
The appreciation which was shown by the members and 
friends upon these occasions encourages the committee 
to hope that other members will “ do likewise ” during 
the ensuing year. (Please note that papers have been 
promised for the last Wednesday in each month in 1893, 
the papers to be followed by discussion.) 
By the permission of the Earl of Chichester, Palmer 
pond was again netted, Mr. Wells, the fish superinten¬ 
dent of the Brighton Aquarium, again going! over with 
boats and nets. The result of the expedition was that 
about 2000 rudd were turned into the Ouse, about 600 
into the water at Queen’s Park, and 3000 into the 
society’s and other tanks at the Aquarium. Some 
hundreds were also sent to the Crystal Palace. 
Although the society is to be congratulated upon 
increased membership, our number, including honorary 
members, nearly reaching one hundred, yet the loss 
that has been sustained by the death of Alderman 
Soper, J.P., will be long and severely felt. He was one 
of the society’s earliest friends, and his genial presence 
at our meetings will long be remembered. 
The Right Hon. the Marquis of Abergavenny, Lord 
Lieutenant of Sussex, has kindly consented to act as 
our president, in the place of the late Lord Hampden, 
who, by occupying that position in the first year of the 
society’s existence, set an example to the county that 
has proved of great value. 
Your committee hope in a short time to secure some 
valuable fly-fishing for the members. 
The thanks of the society are again due to the London, 
Brighton, and South Coast Railway for the privilege 
tickets granted by them; while the Brighton Aquarium 
Company has again rendered valuable assistance. 
We once more congratulate the society upon its sound 
financial position; but we may remind the members that 
if we had to hire all the waters we are now allowed to 
fish there would be a considerable deficit, instead of a 
balance on the right side. Mr. Percy Keeling has well 
earned the “ specimen ” prize so liberally given by Wm. 
Holland, Esq., with a splendidly shaped 8Jib. Thames 
trout; while Mr. Gillam takes Mr. Holland, jun.’s prize 
for greatest weight of fish weighed-in at headquarters. 
We cannot conclude this report without thanking our 
president, our vice-presidents, and those gentlemen 
who have again placed their waters at the service of the 
society, not omitting Mr. Hamshar, who was one of 
our earliest supporters. Our thanks are also due to the 
donors of prizes, books, specimen fish, and objects for 
our museum. 
Our first annual dinner was held at the Old Ship 
Hotel on May 4, the late Alderman S. H. Soper 
presiding, and was a great success. 
We would remind those outside our ranks that our 
standard for the retention of fish is so commendably 
high that gross weight competitions, as suoh, are 
impossible. 
There are a few lockers to be let at headquarters, 
rent 2s. 6d. per year. 
A subscription silver cup will be fished for this year 
(entrance fee 5s), to bo given “ for the best specimen 
Lesh-water fish taken in club or Sussex public water.” 
For conditions, apply to assistant hon secretary. 
Following the report we have capital papers by 
Mr. AVm. F. Booth, entitled “ Fish out of AVater ” 
and “The Fresh-water Aquarium,” and a 
specially interesting one on “ Dry Fly Fishing ” 
by Dr. Snell. 
Others papers are promised for this present year 
