SUPPLEMENT TO THE FISHING GAZETTE 
IPcovincial Botes 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette, 
On Thursday evening last, April 27, a special general 
meeting of the delegates of the Birmingham Association 
was held at the Birmingham Arms Hotel, Smithfield, 
for the purpose of receiving reports from the delegates, 
^specting the proposed Birmingham challenge cup. 
Delegates from fifty clubs were present. The following 
dubs were unrepresented, namely Saltley, Balsall 
Hea^, Birmingham Piscatorials, Leopold, Duddlestone 
Waltonians. Mr. T, Coles presided, and, 
after having formally opened the meeting, gave in the 
committee’s work, when it was moved by 
Mr. Clark, and seconded by Mr. Fitter, that the report 
be received and adopted. The various clauses men- 
tioned on the cup circular were then taken separately, 
when it was resolved that the Association have a cup, 
and that each member contribute 3d. towards purchasing 
the same. This, upon being put to the meeting, was 
earned, with eight dissentients. Moved by Mr. Bagnal, 
and seconded by Mr. Meek, That the levy be made com¬ 
pulsory, and that it be paid on or before June 17 next.” 
Carried. A long discussion- ensued upon the question 
ot the cup remaining the property of the Association, 
but it was finally decided, by a majority of fifteen, that 
the cup remain the property of the Association. Moved 
by Mr. Holding, and seconded by Mr. Cottrell, “ That 
the name of the club and winner be engraved upon the 
cup, and that the winner be presented with a valuable 
medal. It was also moved as an amendment, “ That the 
winner be presented with an illuminated record,” but, 
owing to want of time to decide these important mat¬ 
ters, it was resolved to adjourn the meeting until May 9 
next. •' 
On Saturday evening last a committee meeting of the 
Fro-viMial Angling Association was held at the Boar’s 
Head Hotel, Worcester-street, Kidderminster ■ Mr T 
Birmingham, presided, and Mr. J. W. Cnndall, 
oi Bristol, occupied the vice-chair. The meeting was 
well attended, the only absentee being Mr. A. Keeling, of 
Birmingham. The balance-sheet for the year ending 
Dec. 30 was read and adopted. Reports from the rail¬ 
way committee respecting the applications for affilia- 
^n from the following clubs and associations, namely : 
The Izaak Walton Club, Kidderminster Albion and 
Handsworth Clubs, Birmingham, Warrington, Wolver 
hampton, and Liverpool East End Associations. The 
reports were of a very satisfactory nature, and the 
whole of the clubs and associations were accepted into 
the association. The railway committee also reported 
upon their work with the railway companies; their 
report was adopted, and it was resolved to grant the 
committee power to take what steps they may consider 
necessary to centralise the London and North-Western 
Messrs. Coles and W^ingfield gave in reports 
of their work on the Severn Fishery Board, the reports 
were adopted, and power was given to them to support 
an mi^ease in the water bailiffs’ wages, and also to use 
their best efforts to prevent the river being polluted, 
and use their best endeavours to benefit the fishing, 
and lo look to the interests of the anglers. Mr. Harris, 
Au Cardiff, brought before the meeting as a suggestion 
the advisability of abandoning the annual contest in 
connection with the association, and that the funds 
expended in these contests be used for purposes more 
beneficial to the whole body of members. Mr. Cundall 
also suggested that it would be better for a centre to be 
named where the whole of the meetings can be held at, 
as some of the places were very inconvenient to get at; 
and he (the speaker) suggested that the meetings in 
future be held at Birmingham, and that the question 
^main over until the next meeting of the committee. 
Utter business respecting the exteision of the railway 
privileges was discussed, after which a vote of thanks 
was accorded to the Kidderminster Association for the 
manner they had entertained the committee; to which 
Mr. Wright replied. Votes or thanks to the president 
and vice-president for their services in conducting the 
meeting were passed and acknowledged, after which 
the meeting came to a close. 
A committee meeting of the Birmingham Anglers’ 
Benevolent Society was held at the headquarters on 
1 evening last, April 28, when it was decided to 
hold the contest on behalf of the funds of the society 
on July 15 next at Bearley, and that a special train be 
chartered for the occasion to leave Snow Hill station at 
a little after two o’clock in the afternoon. The secretary 
reported the death of a member belonging to the Small 
Heath Club. A vote of thanks was accorded to the 
Hearts ot Oak Society for their generosity in assisting 
the widow of the deceased member. Votes of thanks 
was ulso accorded to the divisional committees for visit¬ 
ing the clubs and inducing members to join the society. 
FROM THE LAKE DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Darker weather has brightened the prospects of 
anglers. This apparent anomaly is in substance correct, 
tor, with showers of rain, the gloomy outlook of dry 
river-beds has been dispelled, and fishermen are once 
, PPy- The first indications of a change came on 
Thursday afternoon, when we had a light shower at 
VVindermere, and other places in the neighbourhood— 
the precursor of a heavier downfall on Saturday, mixed 
with hail, and in some quarters snow. Cold showers 
navel been the rule since, though the volume of water 
has been such as to make only a slight perceptible rise 
SATURDAY. M AY 6, 1893. 
of the streams. Present indications point to more to 
follow. 
Conmarativelyfew anglers have yet been out, though 
P':°bably by the time these notes are printed, fishing 
will have again got into full swing. The best basket we 
have heard of, so far, came from the upper reaches of 
the Kent on Monday night, when Mr. J. Whitehead had 
twenty-five small trout. 
On Lake Windermere, the takes of char have, of late, 
been eminently satisfactory. There are now only three 
boats on the lake privileged to net for this handsome 
and delicious fish, and recent captures have been con¬ 
fined to an extremely limited area of the water. The 
char is a gregarious fish, and it is at times diffi¬ 
cult to hit upon the exact locale of the shoals. The 
opposite, however, has lately been the rule, and the 
nshermen, who are to all intents and purposes the ser¬ 
vants of the English Lake District Angling Association 
have been fortunate in coming across the char in their 
migrations from one point to another. Considerable 
numbers of good trout have also been taken in the nets 
but by virtue of the agreement between the fishermen 
and the Association, these are in all cases returned un¬ 
injured to the water, to the end that they may con- 
^ sport of bond fide anglers in the future 
Pollution conlinues to grow apace. Last week we 
recorded a serious case in South Westmoreland, and now 
Cumberland is the sufferer. The following paragraph 
speaks for itselfOn Monday, no fewer than 1327 
trout and young salmon of small size were found dead 
in the Greta, between the lead mine at Threlkeld and 
the place where Brundholme beck enters the river, and 
were removed therefrom by Mr. Oliver, water bailiff, 
and three assistants, whose services were obtained for 
the purpose. The drought has reduced the water to a 
very low level, and it is almost certain that the Greta 
will not be worth throwing bait into by anglers this 
year. The Fishery Board, of course, have knowledge of 
the rene wed destruction of fish. 
FROM LANCASHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
long desired rain has come, but not in anything 
like the quantities necessary for clearing out our 
streams, or replenishing land-locked waters. Still how¬ 
ever, a. decided and welcome improvement can be 
reported in the results of sport. Lately trout have 
bep well on the feed, and many good baskets obtained 
principally in private waters. Mr. Sam Brooks had 
lOJ brace on the 29th, and Mr. Bell and friend had fair 
sport on the 28th. Mr. Walmesley, in the Derwent, in 
two days killed 7^ brace, and particulars are to hand of 
other good catches, but modesty will not allow the 
participators to permit their names to be mentioned 
'This IS to be regretted as the results are really interest¬ 
ing. The Bolton anglers have succeeded in proving the 
oft repeated assertions that large trout existed in the 
corporation reservoirs, and the capture of trout weigh- 
31b. 12oz., 31b. 9ioz., and many 
11 b. within the past fortnight should settle the sceptics. 
The capture of these fish and other large fish in 
other reservoirs is attributed to the low water en¬ 
abling bait fishers to get on to the sandy bottom 
away from the paving of the banks so that a drought 
may be said to have its advantages. The approach- 
ing May m^etiEg of the Amalgamation, on the 13fch 
promises to_ be full of interest to the affiliated 
clubs, and in order to prepare a report of the 
fishing at Wisbeach the president, Mr. \V. R Hawkes 
and the secretary, Mr. A. W. P,'afford, intend paying 
the locality a visit. It would appear that Manchester 
anglers have a long way to go for fishing, and why the 
heavily rated anglers of this city quietly submit to be 
debarred from their own reservoirs whilst other towns 
enjoy filing in theirs is a mystery, all it wants is a 
united effort, and also a persistent one. The corpora¬ 
tion owe a debt of gratitude to a Manchester angler for 
assistance in a dilemma, and some return ought surely 
to be made. The Pheenix Club, Oldham, have decided 
to visit Llanymynech on Whit Saturday for the purpose 
of deciding their annual match. It is a long way to go 
but suitable cheap fares are available, and when neces¬ 
sity^ compels this course of action any minor incon¬ 
venience must be put on one side or no match fished. 
The Moss Side Socials have fixed the following dates 
for the series cf competitions which are to decide the 
championship of the society : June 17, July 16, Aug. 5 
Sept. 9, Oct. 1. The usual monthly meeting of 
the Kingfisher Angling Society was held on the 2nd at 
head-quarters, on which occasion there was an excep¬ 
tionally strong muster. Mr. Pickering handed over a 
suita,ble bookcase to the society, and Mr. Councillor 
Linsley, Mr. Prescott, and Mr. Cooke made valuable 
additions of books to the library. Mr. Prescott, jun 
was elected librarian. It will be interesting to the 
many supporters of the Worsley Canal Fishery to learn 
that the canal is not to be drawn off at Whitsuntide 
other arrangements have been made which obviates the’ 
necessity of such a course being taken. 
FROM NORFOLK. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
We had a nice rain on Monday night, but it was not 
enough for anglers. 
Some fair catches of roach and perch are still to be 
had, although the time for coarse fishing is nearly over. 
A very good catch of roach was made last Thursday iii 
private water, weight 2^ stone of fair fish. 
Perch are taking worin well in the reaches by 
W r^ham Broad, and also just below Horning village, 
on the Bure. Several anglers were out on Sunday, and 
succeeded in making good average bags all round. A 
few very good bream were also taken at Horning. 
A week or two ago your able correspondent “ Goose- 
quill ’ said he thought we ought to have a close season 
in this district. I think he will admit that the whole of 
Au and broads teem with fish, and that where 
the head of fish keeps steadily increasing, as it does 
here (thanks to the efforts of the Yare and Bure 
Preservation Society), any more stringent measures for 
the protection of fish, other than those imposed by the 
Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act, are quite unneces 
fiary. Beyond this, the fish make a close time for 
themselves, for he must be a clever angler who can 
make fish bite during spawning time. A. J. Rudd. 
FROM NOTTINGHAM. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
We have had a nice fall of rain, but insufficient to 
make any difference to the Trent in this district. The 
river is very low and clear, and there is absolutely 
nothing doing amongst the salmon. A few gentlemen 
have been out, but have returned without obtaining a 
run. The only variety to the enjoyment of trolling wais 
the occasional loss of baits. From Newark a friend 
writes me that he does not think there is afresh-run hsb 
below Averham Weirs at the present time. He had 
given angling a fair trial during the past six weeks below 
the Gully, and had only landed three pike, which he 
had carefully returned. Mr. David Slater, he added 
was determined to land one with the fly if such were 
possible. I hope Mr. Slater may succeed in doing that 
which no other Trent salmon-aagler has yet succeeded 
in accomplishing. It seems very strange that salmon 
ignore the favourite artificial lures in such a large river 
as the Trent. 
^ Coarse fish are now at the tails of the various weirs 
either spawning or scouring. Hundreds of late have’ 
been seen on the side weir at Beeston, and the sight on 
all the favourite scouring-grounds is one that speaks 
volumes for the commencement of the legitimate season 
on the 16th proximo. 
At the annual business meeting of the Nottingham 
Wellington Angling Society, several points of interest 
to anglers generally cropped up. The chairmau, for 
instance, stated that he desired the society to be re¬ 
garded in the light of an exemplary society. They had 
no desire to dictate to any kindred body, and if his 
friends would allow him to consult his own feelings, he 
was persuaded that a change in the presidency of the 
club would prove more beneficial. He had looked over 
their newly acquired waters at Shardlow, in company 
of their keeper, and he was certain there was a good 
time in store for the members. Mr. Chas. Jackson, one 
of the members, introduced some irrelevant remarks as 
to the late rod tax, and said he was now connected 
with the Great United Notts Anglers’ Association.” 
The tax would have been a heavy burden, especially if 
the Fishery Board had fixed it at half-a-crown, but he 
supposed now that matters would come right in the end. 
Several gentleman expressed strong dissent, for it had 
been clearly stated over and over again by a gentleman 
(Mr. Henry Bromley) who, as a conservator, had that 
tax question in hand, that in no case would it ever have 
exceeded a shilling. Mr. Jackson’s friends had com¬ 
mitted a grave error in their opposition to the tax, 
which would have proved a veritable blessing to workino^ 
men anglers by giving them, for the small outlay" 
additional water bailiffs on the Trent. If they wanted 
sport, they must expect to pay for it. The “Great 
United Notts Anglers’ Association” was useless, 
for the very simple reason that nothing they could do 
to improve sport would meet with general approval 
They were powerless legally to act without the 
Fishery Board. They had recently tried it on, and 
they were now saddled by a heavy bill from a local 
solicitor.—Mr. Coxon stated that the “Great Notts 
United Anglers Association ” (so termed by Mr. Jackson) 
was now sending round “ the hat ” at the clubs for the 
purpose of funds. Mr. Jackson had no right to bring 
the rod tax question forward, and he was pleased to 
hear members say during his speech that he was talking 
nonsense. Mr. Jackson was the treasurer of the asso¬ 
ciation, and he (Blr. Coxon) regretted exceedingly that 
he, a respectable tradesman, should ever have identified 
himself with it. The speaker knew something of the 
inner working, and what steps were being taken “ to 
raise the wind.” Mr. Jackson would find himself a tool 
in the hands of the secretary, whose friends were 
spreading reports in the town that if fishermen did not 
join the Great United ’ they would find themselves 
without the railway privilege cards in June. These 
had passed through his (3Ir. Coxon’s) hands for many 
years, and anglers might rest assured that “ the Great 
United” would not wrest them from him.—Mr. E. 
West expressed similar views. Mr. Coxon, he said, held 
his appointment from the Midland Railway Companv, 
and not from the old Notts Association, as had been’ 
stated by the secretary in a certain newspaper. It was 
a fortunate thing for anglers that Mr. Coxon had suc¬ 
ceeded the late Mr. Richard Savidge.—After further 
discussion, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. 
Coxon for what he had done in securing travelling privi¬ 
leges for the anglers of the town at large.—Mr. Coxon 
acknowledged the vote, and said he intended to ask the 
Midland Company to add to the cards the station of 
Whatstandwell, on the banks of the Derwent. 
FROM SHEFFIELD. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Dam fishing, by which I simply mean reservoir fishing, 
has been the beat and most remunerative form of sport 
lately, although with a little more of Saturday’s and 
