SUPPLEMENT TO THE FISHING GAZETTE 
SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1893. 
■provincial motes 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
On Thursday evening last, May 11, the second special 
general meeting of the Birmingham Angling Association 
was held at the headquarters for the purpose of finish¬ 
ing the association challenge cup business. Mr. T. 
Coles presided, and Mr. J. A. Dance occupied the vice¬ 
chair. The meeting was well attended, and the whole 
of the clubs, with a few exceptions, were represented. 
The president, having formally opened the meeting, 
called upon the secretary to read the minutes relating 
to the obtaining of the cup by special levy of 3d. per 
member. This was read, and placed before the meeting 
for discussion, when, after the delegates had explained 
their club’s views upon the matter, the minute was put to 
the vote and carried by a majority of fourteen votes. 
The question of how the cup should be won and what 
the winner should receive in recognition of his success, 
was decided by Mr. Coles moving the following resolu¬ 
tion, which was seconded by Mr. Wainwright: “ That 
the winner of the cup, in addition of receiving the first 
prize given by the association, shall be presented 
with a diploma, having an appropriate design; 
and should any member win the cup two years in succes¬ 
sion or three times in all, the cup shall become his 
obsolute property; further, the club to which he belongs 
shall receive a diploma in honour of the member’s 
success. In the event of any winner belonging to more 
clubs than one, the diploma to go to the club he has 
been connected with the longest. This, upon being put to 
the meeting, was carried unanimously. It was also re¬ 
solved, upon the motion of Mr. Taylor and seconded by 
Mr. Wilkins, that the cost of the diplomas be not more 
than two guineas, and that the cost be defrayed by the 
association, carried unanimously. The insurance of the 
cup was left in the hands of the cup committee. The 
committee were also instructed to continue their labours, 
and discretionary powers were given them to use the 
levy for the purpose indicated in the resolutions, and to 
make all arrangements necessary to the carrying out of 
the challenge cup competition. On the motion of Mr. 
Keeling, and seconded by Mr.Holloway, no fish under 2oz. 
will be weighed-in at the future association contests, this, 
upon being put to the meeting, was carried by the casting 
vote of the president. The question of members belonging 
to more clubs than one being called upon to pay the 
levy, was decided by a resolution being moved by Mr. 
Handley, and seconded by Mr. Wilkins, “ That the 
branch secretaries pay upon all the members on their 
books irrespective of how many clubs they may belong 
to.” This, upon being put to the meeting, was carried 
by a majority of fifteen votes. This concluded the cup 
business, when Mr. Holloway’s notice of motion re the 
preservation of specimen fish by the association was 
brought forward, but fell through. The clubs were 
asked by the chairman not to lose sight of the matter, 
and to do all they could to preserve all specimen fish 
taken by their members. 
On Thursday evening last the Tenby Piscatorials held 
a concert in aid of the prize fund of the society. The 
concert was in every way a success, and was attended 
by about 120 friends and members of the society. The 
chief artists were Messrs. Andrews, Knowles, Walton, 
Collins, Swain, Hacket, Cottrell, and Bates. Mr. G. 
King presided, and Mr. Fielder was an efficient 
accompanist. 
On the 14th inst. about twenty members of the St. 
George’s Society fished a contest in the canal at Tam- 
worth, the prizes being given for the largest number of 
roach and perch taken, which were placed in a bait-can 
and conveyed to the Eiver Anker. The contest was not 
the success that could be desired, as the winner, Mr. C. 
Wainwright, only caught seven fish, and Mr. J. Attwood 
was second with six fish. 
The long looked-for rain has come at last, it will help 
to freshen up the rivers and brooks which have been in 
a very low condition for the last two months. A lot of 
rain has fallen this day (Wednesday), and, according to 
the barometer, there is a lot more to come down ; this 
will put the fish on their best behaviour for the holidays. 
FROM THE LAKE DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
When things get to the worst they are bound to 
improve, and this would appear to be the case with the 
weather. Old Sol, after a reign of unprecedented 
brilliance, has at length hidden his face behind the 
clouds, and for once we are glad to be without his 
presence. Day after day it appeared as though a change 
were about to take place, and as regularly did it clear 
off: but at last we are able to record the welcome fact 
that some rain has fallen. Never before in the history 
of this district have some of the rivers reached so low a 
level, so far as can be ascertained by low water marks 
on bridges and other local records, and the conse<iuent 
destruction of fish has been serious. We hear that 
about a couple of miles of the Kent, north of Kendal, 
were again seriously polluted on Sunday, dead fish being 
seen in scores along the entire length. At the time of 
writing rain continues to fall, and should it hold out for 
the remainder of the week, there is a prospeet of sport 
during the Whitsuntide holidays. No difference has so 
far been made in the condition of rivers, and we cannot 
yet speak of any angling being accomplished as far as 
trout and salmon are concerned ; but many fishermen, 
through force of circumstances, have lately turned 
their attention to the pike, and lake, tarn,'and canal 
have been laid under tribute. A fair amount of sport 
has been obtained in this way ; but many anglers are 
lamenting the disappearance of favourite streams where 
they have been wont to creel their three or four brace of 
trout daily. Of the lakes, Windermere seems to afford 
the best “ field” for operations, a good many pike and 
trout having lately been taken. The latter are much 
superior to river trout both in flavour and size, running 
from a pound up to three or four pounds in weight, the 
flesh a pretty pinky-white colour. 
At a meeting of the West Cumberland Fishery Board 
last Thursday, the clerk stated that he had received a 
letter from the clerk to the Cleator Moor Local Board, 
alleging that it was currently reported that the recent 
destruction of fish in the River Ehen had been caused 
by the introduction of lime into the water, and not by a 
sewer belonging to the Local Board, as asserted by the 
conservators. The head watcher, however, informed 
the Board that the only lime in the river was some near 
the weir that had got in during repairs. When he 
found the poisoned fish, there were live fish below the 
weir ; but below the sewerage pipe the fish were found 
dead, and he thought it was not lime, but the discharge 
from the sewer that had caused the havoc. The watcher 
further reported that a number of fish had been killed 
by a water-wheel at one of the mills on the Irt. On 
several occasions he had taken dead fish from the place 
—as many as 115 at one time. Mr. Webster (clerk) 
stated that he had a letter from the owners, who 
promised that the place should receive attention, with 
a view of preventing a recurrence of the matter com¬ 
plained of. It was also stated that Messrs. Ainsworth 
and Turner had had an interview with Mr. Berrington 
in reference to fish passes on the Ehen, and certain 
suggestions had been made in a letter by Mr. Turner. 
As the latter gentleman could not be present that day, 
the matter was referred to a committee to further con¬ 
sider and report upon. 
FROM LANCASHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
From an angler’s point ’ of view the rain is very wel¬ 
come. That anglers intend being abroad, and that in 
large numbers, is proved by the demand for baits 
of every description, and the strain put upon the tackle- 
makers for repairs. By the time these notes are in 
print hundreds of rods will be scattered far and wide, 
for we hear of expeditions to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, 
and almost every part of England. Manchester anglers 
are especially favoured in the amount of excursions 
running almost everywhere, and Bolton, Oldham, and 
many other places a little, if any, less fortunate in this 
respect. From Bolton there is to be a gigantic turn-out 
of anglers to decide the usual Whitsuntide contest for 
numerous and valuable prizes. The Stalybridge Asso¬ 
ciation, having once tasted the sweets of success, are not 
leaving a stone unturned to ensure future progress. Dur 
ing the last few days they have had a promise of further 
stock to be at their disposal some short time hence. The 
watchers on one length of the Eibble have found it neces¬ 
sary to administer a rebuke to the unprincipled angler. 
These enemies of true sport have been indulging them¬ 
selves by slaughtering the young salmon left in the 
pools reserved so that some little sport may be obtained 
during the present drought; but to such an extent has 
this privilege been abused that the sluices have been 
raised and the water and fish sent on their journey to 
the sea. Many canny ones have been utilising the 
present time when waters are low to make notes of the 
most suitable places for bottom fishing. Sand banks 
can be seen which are not visilfie at other times. On 
the 14th several Manchester men visited Whaley Bridge 
Fishery, an extensive water lately acquired. It was our 
experience, on the 12th, to see the bottom of a large 
reservoir we have often fished, and in one particular 
corner, where only last year we saw three trout, weigh¬ 
ing 41b., landed, beheld stakes ad lib., and however 
those fish were secured is a mystery. Northwich is a 
resort very much frequented by rods from this county, 
and in past years the local association have strived 
to protect the fishing from pollution, and now they are 
troubled by poachers netting. A few days ago the 
authorities caught some miscreants in the act, but in 
consideration—of what r—have decided to forego any 
prosecution. The acquisition of private waters by our 
local clubs has created a great demand for stock. Can 
it be that the temptation to take another’s fish is 
too strong to be resisted ? We fear so in some cases. 
The Eadcliffe men have already got to work, and 
succeeded in finding winners for six prizes. We pre¬ 
sume in some local water this contest was fished, but 
the report sayeth not. ___ 
FROM NORFOLK. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The rivers everywhere in the district are very 
low and clear, consequently, fishing has not been 
very grand. Some fair fish have been taken, 
but not many. The bream and perch are spawn¬ 
ing on the Bure pretty generally, but those of the Yare 
are not so forward. 
A gentleman, angling opposite St. Benet’s Abbey, on 
the Bure, on Saturday, took two perch, one 21b. 12oz. 
and one 21b. 6oz., at one time, on a paternoster. Besides 
these he had some very fair fish, jlb. to IJlb., and lots of 
pike, which were turned in. Mr. Howes, of Norwich, 
took 2i stone of bream, of from 21b. to 31b. each, at 
Homing, on Monday, and another gentleman, Mr. 
Gray, had a 21b. perch, a l^lb. rudd, and two stone of 
bream.—A. J. Eudd. 
FROM NOTTINGHAM. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Gentle rain on Tuesday and Wednesday in the valley 
of the Trent was cheerfully hailed by all classes of the 
community, especially by the fishermen. In so far, 
however, as angling on the Trent is concerned, I have 
really nothing to chronicle. On Monday morning, at our 
Nottingham public baths, the waters of the river were 
lower than they had been since the Jubilee year, in 
which the register stood 7 in. below the takings of 
Monday. Between Monday and Tuesday the waters, 
through the running of the mills, came on a foot, and 
the temporary flush caused quite a little flutter amongst 
coarse fish on the spawning and scouring beds. Mr. T. 
Wood has again visited the favourite salmon section 
below King’s Mills weirs, but has not succeeded in 
moving a fish. Other gentlemen have been equally 
unfortunate, and the spring season may be regarded 
as over. Only five fish have fallen to the rod, and 
the whole were killed in the section of the Trent 
named. The bottom weed continues to spread, and 
it is sure to hamper the operations of the coarse 
fish angler when the legitimate season opens. 
Trout fishing on the tributaries has commanded a few 
votaries, and on the Dover Beck, below Lowdham, Mr. 
W. Dupe and Mr. S. Pogson, of Nottingham, have each 
caught sundry choice fish. Fair bags have also been 
obtained on the private lengths of the same stream 
between Lowdham and Oxton. Moderate sport appears 
to have been enjoyed on the Greet, on which the fly 
only is allowed. The Greet is, perhaps, one of the best 
stocked rivers in the county, and it is not overfished. 
The Nottingham Wellington Angling Society have, 
through its committee, voted a sum of ^£3 33. towards 
the working expenses of the Trent Fishery Board. The 
work of the board is not sufficiently appreciated by 
anglers ; the services of a paid bailiff are much needed 
at Nottingham to check the malpractices so often 
indulged in. Voluntary effort is useless where the 
general well being of the angling community is con¬ 
cerned. 
Two of our local salmon anglers, Mr. W. Parr and Mr. 
W. Holbrook, have been getting some very fine fish on 
the Eiver Dee, above Chester. The local anglers were 
greatly surprised at the ease with which both gentlemen 
could cast in the Nottingham style from the famous 
centre reels of the Slater manufacture. Good old David 
—a wee bit more of that useful check action. 
The privilege travelling cards to club anglers are still 
retained by Mr. H. Coxon, despite rumours to the con¬ 
trary spread by illiterate men connected with a local 
body here known as the Notts Anglers’ Association. 
FROM SHEFFIELD. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Never was rain more welcomed than were the showers 
of Tuesday last. The long-continued drought was 
beginning to make its effects severely felt by all, and 
anglers were not alone in their complaints. The water¬ 
courses in Derbyshire were, many of them, almost dry, 
while the larger streams, as the Derwent, the Wye, and 
the Lathkill were correspondingly low. The dams and 
reservoirs, too, were falling rapidly. Tuesday’s rain, 
however, promises to be productive of a much better 
state of things, and those who were reluctant to go out 
until they heard of something being done by others, will 
not have the long spell of inactivity they were promised. 
Of the Derbyshire streams, the Wye was in the best con¬ 
dition, and, with the Blue and Yellow Duns, the Black 
Gnat, and the Red Spinner, a few good catches resulted, 
although, as a correspondent rightly remarks, even 
these lures were of no avail without patience. Fishing 
in Derbyshire will now probably look up. So far, what 
with the drought and the small-pox epidemic in the Bake- 
well district, angling matters have been at low ebb, the 
fear of contagion having deterred many from revisiting 
old haunts. Happily, it is being stamped out, although 
up to now there has been very little encouragement tor 
outsiders to enter the district. Hotel proprietors have 
suffered, and at one time it seemed as though the com¬ 
ing season would be drawn a blank. 
Around Sheffield 1 hear of very little being done. 
The Dam Flask is maintaining its reputation, while 
at Redmires and Hollowmeado ws fish are being taken. 
At the latter water Mr. Stacey, of the Pollution Society, 
had four brace of nice fish last Saturday. The Forge 
dam at Fulwood, which has been so much puffed in 
another quarter, was a failure last Saturday. A pro¬ 
ficient angler, one of the old Sheffield school, fished it 
from five in the morning to five in the evening without 
securing a fish, or, indeed, even seeing one. Two other 
anglers had a couple of hours each in the evening, but 
failed to basket anything. One might well ask the ques¬ 
tion, where are the fish about which so much has been 
said, but which have not been seen during the last fort¬ 
night P I besin to doubt that there are any in the dam 
worth wasting a day over. It must have been aggravat¬ 
ing to walk up there and get nothing, and then come 
down through Endcliffe Woods and see scores of fine 
lusty trout swimming near the surface of the stream. 
One angler dropped a maggot in the water. Instantly 
there was a rush for it, and in a very few minutes, by 
repeating the operation, he had around him a dozen 
handsome fish, each competing with the other for the 
succulent morsels thrown to them. And at Fulwood 
maggots were disdained, supposing there were anything 
to disdain them 1 It’s a great pity the corporation won’t 
allow fishing at Endcliffe. Under proper limitation it 
would be a great boon to Sheffield anglers, and 1 am sure 
the privilege would never be abused. 
At a committee meeting of the Prevention of Pollu¬ 
tion Society, held last Thursday week, it was reported 
