278 
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PISHING GAZETTE 
[April 15, 1893 
come came short and shy, and many of those hooked 
were lightly hooked, and ultimately lost. 
Such, at least, was the excuse advanced hy many of 
the unlucky ones, and it is quite consistent with the 
habits of tront under such conditions of weather and 
water. 
It is extremely improbable that much will be done in 
the principal streams, at least with the fly, until we 
have some rain or the over night frosts give way. With 
the worm or minnow (especially towards dusk) there is 
a greater prospect of success. I have not heard of much 
having been done as yet in the Derbyshire brooks, but 
as fly-fishing is rarely practised on their confined, and, 
in the main, tree-shadowed waters, the worm or maggot, 
or “ dapping ” with the minnow, will prove deadly even 
in the low state of the water. I have never seen trout 
rising in any of these brooks with any freedom, a fact 
which may argue a calm and philosophical acquiescence 
on the part of the fish in the methods adopted for their 
capture. 
The Trent Board, wisely in my view, have decided 
not to grant the desired extension (in some <|uarters) of 
the open season for trout until Oct. 1.5. Boards have, 
of course, the power of extending the close season, pro¬ 
vided the open season does not begin before Feb. 2 nor 
be prolonged beyond Nov. 2, and the close season 
extends over a period of not less than 123 clear days, 
but to extend the open season in a district embracing 
many and varied waters beyond Oct. 1 would be a 
dangerous experiment. Even in adjacent streams the 
time of spawning, and hence the condition of the fish, 
varies, and seems to be dependent on temperature and 
other causes not necessary to detail. In tributary and 
parent stream the same will be found to hold good. In 
Derbyshire the Wye is, I think, an earlier stream than 
the Derwent, while the spawning operations are much 
sooner over and the trout earlier in condition in the brooks 
than in the larger rivers. It would lead to considerable 
complication to have different close times for different 
streams under the same jurisdiction, audit seems, there¬ 
fore, in view of the facts stated that the decision of the 
^ard was a wise one. It is a pity, however, that the 
board did not decide to make the opening a month later. 
The question was not even discussed. Slarch 1 is quite 
early enough for trout in Derbyshire. 
The recent dynamiting, or rather geligniting, of trout 
at Bakewell has aroused a great deal of interest, and as 
the matter is on the principle involved one not only of 
considerable local, but also of public, interest, the facts 
may be briefly set forth. It seems that a sergeant saw 
a light across the foot-bridge across the Wye, just below 
Bakewell, about 10.30 on the night of March 13. This 
light appeared to be a fuse, and was thrown into the 
river. Calling some of his men together, the place was 
surrounded ; another light w'as then seen at the same 
spot, and an explosion followed on its extinction in the 
river. Four men were idtimately captured; a net was 
found pegged dovm on either side of, and crossing the 
river. This net was weighted in four places. It covered 
the whole of the river. There was a dead trout in it 
and on the bank a bag which contained a dead trout and 
a grayling, and a piece of a gelignite cartridge. The four 
men got one month’s hard labour each. Now this is a 
very serious state of matters, for had these men not been 
seen by chance, had they commenced operations just a 
little further from the police station, and shown a little 
more discretion and less audacity—begot, no doubt 
from immunity in the past—they might easily have de¬ 
populated the whole stream. As a rule fish dynamitards 
reap a reward in the shape of fish very much out of 
proportion to the vast number which they destroy and 
do not recover, and there is no form of poaching which 
carries such wide-spread devastation with it. Though 
in a wide river, such as the Trent, destruction without 
benefit to the destroyers is usually the only result, yet 
in the Wye, in this case at least, the poachers would 
certainly have reaped a rich reward. The method can, 
mth apologies, be only fitly described as a devilish con¬ 
trivance, and must be put down. I am not in a position 
to be able to say whether dynamiting is a common 
adjunct to poaching in other districts, but in this one it 
haa been all too common. The dynamite is usually 
stolen. If a severe example were made in one case I 
feel assured^ that a considerable cheek would be given 
to the practice, if it were not altogether stopped The 
powers given by the various Acts are ample. 
The crime can certainly be brought under the Mali¬ 
cious Injuries to Property Act (24 & 25 Viet. c. 97, s. 
32), whereby anyone who puts lime or any other noxious 
mafemtl into any water to destroy fish, so as to cause 
destruction of fish, is liable to seven years penal servi¬ 
tude. This applies more directly to poisoning, but I 
think dynamite could be brought within the )ip.rious 
material.” By the Dynamite Act (1877) and the Fresh¬ 
water Fisheries Act (1878) conjointly the penalty for 
using dynamite was fixed at £2i). All this is very well 
so far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. What 
I would like to see is a prosecution instituted under the 
i-xplosive Substances Act {46 & Yiot. c. 3). By sect. 
4 of that Act, to put it shortly, any person who has 
dynamite or any explosive substance of a like nature 
in his possession under such circumstances as to 
give rise to the suspicion that he has it for an 
unlawful purpose (the onus probandi quoad the oppo¬ 
site 18 thrown on the accused; then he is liable to four¬ 
teen years penal servitude (the clause with grim 
humour adds that the explosive is to be forfeited). 
Prosecutions under this Act, can, however only be 
undertaken by consent of the Attorney-General, but I 
Uke It, if a strongpnmd/acie case were made out as to 
the prevalence of the use of dynamite in any district for 
the destruction of fish, and the incalculable harm that 
follows its use were shown, that leave to prosecute 
would be granted. If the protection of freshwater fi-h 
and migratory fish frequenting fresh water, be a matter 
of public expediency and policy, surely this worst 
means of defeating the Acts passed with a view to that 
end should be put down with the strong hand. One 
severe example would suffice. I have dwelt on the subject, 
because as I have already pointed out it is one of the 
most vital importance. 
Salmon fishing has been prosecuted of late with but 
little success, as the river has been too low, at least for 
spinning, and, so far as I am aware, no further fish 
beyond those already reported, have been killed. No 
nets are at present being “worked” in the Trent, and 
only one (and that not regularly) in the Humber estuary, 
so that if we have a fresh, there should be a rare run of 
fish up the river. At the time of writing there is every 
appearance of a change. 
In the opinion which I recently gave in these notes as 
to the powers of associations, having no water qua 
associations, to prosecute offenders against the bye-laws 
of the Board of Conservators of the district in which they 
exist, I expressed my own opinion merely. I may be 
wrong in my view of the question, but on reconsidering 
my view, I see no reason for deviating from it. I had no 
desire to impugn the usefulness nor question the honest 
intentions of such associations. On the contrary, pro¬ 
vided they do not attempt to assume the functions and 
powers of any board, and confine themselves to co-opera¬ 
tion, they can do infinite good. In any case, my remarks 
were intended to bo entirely impersonal and purely 
formal. 
Coarse fish are just now, of course, out of court, 
and the only interest attached to them is in the matter 
of their successful spawning. So far as I have observed, 
only pike and perch have been busy, though the warm 
weather will probably induce other sorts to begin at an 
earlier period than usual. 
Next week I hope to have some good takes of trout to 
record, along with the capture of a few salmon. 
FROM HAMPSHIRE AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
I am pleased that my notes have called forth remarks 
from ‘ Enquirer ” in your correspondence columns It 
was not very surprising that the Mayfly in March par. 
ahould attract attention, but you, Mr. Editor, are rather 
hard upon yours truly, who must respectfully refute 
your editorial as to being “ gammoned.” Both yon and 
the writer of the letter overlook one important point—• 
that I was merely quoting the [words of another • but 
perhaps the printer’s imp put the quotations in the 
wrong place. For the special edification of your corre- 
spondent I will repeat the “ quote,” as it appeared in the 
Spectator of March 25 : “ We looked, and there over the 
surface of the water were hundreds of May-flies, hatched 
by the sudden heat. Of course, they were not the green 
and gauzy-winged fly of summer ; but, for all that, they 
were true Ephemeridic, with long whisk tails and trans¬ 
parent wings. March Browns, we believe, in the 
language of the fiy-fisher.” 
In reply to B. C. L., ’ I am not in favour of a fence 
season for pike in Hampshire waters ; but, for all that, I 
am as fond of pike fishing as any other branch of angling, 
^ud I have been in at the death of many a lusty jack. 
Perhaps I might explain that I come from a coarse 
fashing district, as you, Mr. Editor, know quite well, 
and which has been justly noted for its pike—this will 
excuse me being partial to the jack. But your corre¬ 
spondent need not be afraid, for, from what I hear, the 
pike in local waters are quickly dying out. 
By the way. I do not favour “wiring” fish of any 
kind—not even poor “Johnnie”—and think a more 
sportsmanlike method might be adopted for their exter¬ 
mination. I never saw this practice carried out so much 
anywhere as it is here. Have known of several trout 
being taken in this manner by poachers, and only last 
Saturday saw the game being played in the water adjoin¬ 
ing that rented by the St. George’s Fishing Club. 
Many fly anglers were out on Saturday, biit sport 
generally was not very profitable. I heard of one brace 
being taken near the bathing-place, which were in fair 
condition. One angler, “ armed to the teeth ” with all 
the accessories, was hard ai work, but I don’t fancy he 
landed many trout. 
On Friday I saw a fine badger taken to.'our local taxi 
dermists, Mr. Chalkley, The Square. It was a female 
weighing 23ilb., and was caught in a trap at Compton’ 
near Stockbridge. 
As regards general angling, there has been but little 
sport ; and this is not to be wondered at, when we con¬ 
sider the wonderfully clear condition of the water. Not¬ 
withstanding this, a few trout have been taken, but 
the Itchen and Test both want a good freshener before 
any heavy creels can be expected, and the same remark 
applies to the Avon. _ 
meeting, but no serious inconvenience is likely to arise 
from this disappointment, as the club is well supplied 
with other fishing. The society also received a letter 
frona the secretary of the Manche.-ter Association, 
stating that the application for alii iation had been 
accepted. Mr. Prescott reported favourably on the 
trout fishing negotiations. Further additions were 
made to the library, Mr. Prescott presenting two vols. 
of “ Anglers’ Evenings,” and promising two vols. more. 
presented the society with a valu¬ 
able oil painting, “ The landing place,” by a local artist, 
and splendidly iramed. Mr. Pickering completed the 
list by promising to give a book case suitable for keeping 
the various books, <^c., in. Votes of thanks to the 
donors completed the business. 
All true lovers of angling will be glad to know that 
that undesirable hitch with regard to the Whaley 
Bridge Fishery is at an end, and for the future the 
entire right of issuing tickets for fishing is vested in 
Concert Inn, Lower Mosley-street, 
Manchester, for the benefit of anglers generally. Doubt¬ 
less some satisfactory arrangements will be made for 
assistance being rendered to Mr. Bead in the manage¬ 
ment and working of the fishery, for a lot of work must 
of necessity follow the acquisition of the waters. It is 
a matter for congratulation that these waters are to 
remain for the use of the majority, and that money has 
not induced the proprietor to pass by his old tenant, Mr. 
Bead. On the 8th a further consignment of roach and 
Prussian carp, the latter very fine fish, was safely trans¬ 
ferred to the Woraley Canal Fishery, and put into the 
Moss Beach length, other consignments will now quickly 
follow. The amalgamated districts around Manchester 
announce another concession from our old friends the 
Midland Bail way Company, who seem ever willing to 
help the working man angler. This time the concession 
to Wisbeach, and the tickets are at the following rates ; 
ter one day 53., two or three days 8s., five or six days 123. 
Clubs are asked to assist the amalgamation, by inform¬ 
ing Mr. Platford, 58, Mercer-street, Hiilme, as to the 
number likely to avail themselves of the privilege. The 
Stalybridge anglers have had some good results from 
local waters which they had permission to net, and in 
consequence, a substantial addition made to the stock 
in their own waters. 
The new clubs at Ivnutsford and Altrincham are doing 
well, and progress of a most gratifying ;kind is reported. 
Many Lancashire men are looking forward to spending 
happy days in the neighbourhood of these two places, 
tor there is any amount of good fishing to be had there¬ 
abouts. 
FROM NORFOLK. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The weather, though fine, being very cold, few anglers 
have been out during the past week, and those few who 
have been trying for perch and roach have not done 
much, and trout fishermen less still. 
One gentleman, angling on the Bure near Salhouse 
had some splendid perch, the largest fish 21b. lOoz.’ 
while a lot of fish of over 11b. each have been taken.’ 
Roach fishing has been very slow, no good fish coming 
to hand. The bream have now gone down the river, and 
are now to be sought ter by Surlingham and Brundall 
where fair sport would doubtless be obtained if we had a 
few showers of rain to give a little colour to the water 
which is very clear. ’ 
Mr. Simpson, of Norwich, took a nice trout from the 
Wensum at Hellesdon on Saturday, weighing lib. 2ioz. 
This took a worm that was intended for some of the big 
roach that frequent that neighbourhood, but which were 
feed at the time. He took, however, some 
half-score of very fine dace, for which the stream is 
noted. 
With a little rain, which we hope to have shortly 
some good roach should be accounted ter before their 
spawning time. 
FROM LANCASHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
We have general complaints of the scarcity of water 
in all our streams, but, despite this fact, several good 
baskets have been secured. Our old friend, Mr. Will 
Gha.mbers, did remarkably well with flies of his own 
design and dressing on the 10th at Llanymynech. To 
all appearances, we are in for a spell of dry weather 
and even our canals are suffering from scarcity of water’ 
and to such an extent have the owners been obliged to 
draw on their reserves that these are abnormally low 
fashing in the same suffers in consequence 
The Kingfisher Angling Society, Salford, held their 
monthly meeting on the 11th .inst, Mr. B. J. Pickering 
• ®, chair. 'The. secretary reported his 
inability to get the stock fish decided upon at a previous 
FROM NOTTINGHAM. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette, 
At Weston, on Saturday, Mr. T. Wood, the lessee, 
took another salmon with the Devon. The fish weighed 
•121b., and was caught near the Perry, in the King’s 
Mills section of the fishery. Very few rods have been 
out, and gentlemen are preferring to wait for a rise. 
Trouting has been quiet, and, as most of the b>-ooks 
contain very little water, the fish require a good deal of 
coaxing. So far the majority killed have fallen to the 
worm and the caddis grubs, which are growing plentiful 
On Tuesday night the half-yearly dinner of the Not¬ 
tingham Bowling Green Society was held at Mr. Sam 
Pogson’s, the Bowling Green Inn, Canal-street. Mr P 
Wilson, the president, of the club, took the chair. The 
prizes won during the winter season were distributed; 
and on Tuesday the new club will be entertained at 
dinner by Mr. Pogson himself. Ho, as the treasurer 
and a liberal supporter of it, has withdrawn from the 
Notts association. Members connected with the two 
bodies do not seem to work harmoniously together, and 
now that the worthy host has a free hand, he intends to 
place the club on a much better footing. Its affairs, 
also, will be placed in the hands of a more energetic and’ 
enterprising secretary. 
A committee meeting of the Nottingham Wellington 
Society has been summoned, to discuss the best time for 
holding the winter distribution of prizes, some of which 
Will be of a valuable kind. Very lew specimen fish were 
weigbed-in, and the laxity of members is the more to be 
^ very large number of prizes were promised 
at the annual banquet. The waters rented by the society 
at Shardlow are being well looked after, and otherwise 
cared for. 
