June 10, 1893] 
SUPPLEMENT TO THE EISHINO GAZETTE 
to stop, catch, or hinder any fish, spawn, or fry of fish 
from coming into or going out of the River Thames. 
20. No salmon or salmon-trout may be fished for, 
taken, or attempted to be taken in the River Thames 
between September 1, and March 31 following, both 
inclusive, and no trout or char may be fished for, taken, 
or attempted to be taken in the River Thames between 
September 11 and March 31 following, both inclusive. 
28. No fish of the species hereinafter mentioned shall 
be taken in or out of the River Thames, or, having 
been taken, shall be had in possession or exposed for 
sale on the River Thames or on the shore thereof, or 
on any lands adjoining or near to the river, of less than 
the sizes and dimensions hereinafter respectively 
mentioned (that is to say) : — 
Pike or Jack, 
extreme length . 
... 18 inches 
Perch 
... 8 ,, 
Chub 
) ) ... . • • 
... 10 „ 
Roach 
... 7 „ 
Dace 
... 6 „ 
Barbel 
... 16 „ 
Trout 
16 ,, 
Grayling 
)) ... •• • 
... 12 „ 
Bream 
)) ••• ... 
... 10 „ 
Carp 
>» . 
... 10 „ 
Tench 
... 8 „ 
Rudd 
)} • • • ... 
... 6 „ 
Gudgeon 
} j .. 
... 4 „ 
Flounders 
... 7 „ 
Smelts 
]] 
... 6 „ 
Lamperns 
>» . 
... 7 „ 
Soles or Slips 
... 8 ,, 
Whiting 
... ••• 
... 7 „ 
Plaice or Dab 
>) . 
... 8 „ 
All shrimps to be sifted when alive through a sieve of 
jths of an inch between the wires, all which wires shall 
be placed either vertically or horizontally, and no 
shrimp that will pass through such sieve shall be kept 
or retained. 
But this bye-law shall not apply 
(a) To any person who takes any undersized fish acci¬ 
dentally and at once return such fish alive to the water 
without injury; 
(b) To any roach, dace, gudgeon, bleak, or minnows 
taken for use as bait provided that except for the pur¬ 
pose of baiting eel baskets, no person shall be entitled 
to have in his possession or under his control more than 
fifty of such fish for nse as bait at any one time, or to 
take by himself, his servants, or agents more than fifty 
of such fish on any day. 
29. Any person who shall have in his possession on, 
near, or adjoining the River Thames any fish of less 
dimensions than those specified in the last preceding 
bye-law shall be deemed to be guilty of an offence 
against such bye-law unless he prove to the satisfaction 
of the Court before which he is tried that ho was law¬ 
fully in possession of such fish, provided that this bye¬ 
law shall not apply to the person in charge of any boat 
entering Hadleigh Bay in order to land at Leigh fish on 
board such boat which have been taken outside the 
limits of the jurisdiction of the Conservators. 
30. Any person following the business of a fisherman 
on the River Thames, or letting for hire for fishing any 
boat, punt, or other vessel to be used on the River 
Thames shall be subject to the following regulations :—■ 
(a) His name and place of abode shall be duly 
registered in a book kept for that purpose by the Secre¬ 
tary to the Conservators of the River Thames at their 
London office for the time being, which office is now 
situate at No. 41, Trinity-square, Tower-hill; 
(b) On the registration of his name he shall pay a fee 
of la. in respect of each boat, punt, or other vessel; 
(c) The secretary shall give to every such person on 
his registration a certificate thereof ; such certificate 
shall contain the number of every such boat, punt, or 
vessel; 
(d) Such person shall cause to be painted and keep 
painted and legible, in characters not less than two 
inches long and half an inch broad, on the starboard 
bow and on the port quarter of every such boat, punt, 
or vessel, such number together with his name and 
place of abode. Any person neglecting to have such 
number, name, and address painted on each such boat, 
punt, or vessel, and to keep the same so painted, or 
shall permit the same to be defaced or removed, shall 
be guilty of an offence against this bye-law, and shall 
in addition to any other penalty on conviction for such 
offence forfeit his certificate of registration. Provided 
that this bye-law shall not apply to oases in which any 
vessel is already marked in accordance with any exist¬ 
ing law or regulation in force in the River Thames. 
32. Nothing in these bye-laws shall prevent any 
person provided he has the previous consent in writing 
of the Conservators under their Common Seal from 
obtaining fish for the purpose of artificial propagation 
and other scientific purposes from any part of the River 
Thames or from having in his possession salmon roe or 
trout roe for any of these purposes, or from taking or 
attempting to take salmon or trout when spawning, or 
near the spawning beds. 
33. Notfiing in these bye-laws except the provisions 
relative to the fence season and to the sizes of fish 
shall take away or abridge the right of the owner or 
occupier of a private fishery, or any person having 
authority in writing from any such owner or occupier, 
to do any of the following things within the limits of 
such private fishery only ; that is to fish for, or to take, 
or attempt to take fish and eels by means of nets, 
commonly called cast nets and crayfish nets, or by grig 
or ground wheels for eels or by night-lines, or by means 
of eel bucks or stages, so far only as the same or any of I 
them can be legally used irrespective of these bye-laws. ' 
Provided that on a special licence being obtained from 
the Conservators in writing under their Common Seal, 
and not otherwise, such owners or occupiers or persons 
having authority as aforesaid, may in such private 
fishery only take fish by means of a net, commonly 
called a hoop-net, having a mesh of not less than two 
Inches from knot to knot when wet, or eight inches all 
round, and not being more than six yards long, or by 
means of a net commonly called a drag net, and having 
a mesh of not less than two inches from knot to knot 
when wet, or eight inches all round. 
_ 38. In these bye-laws, unless there is something incon¬ 
sistent or repugnant in the context, the words and 
expressions hereinafter mentioned shall have the fol¬ 
lowing meaning (that is to say) : 
Person.—Shall mean any number of persons or any 
body of per-'ons corporate or unincorporate. 
Court.—Shall mean any court of summary jurisdiction 
whether consisting of two or more justices or of 
a stipendiary magistrate. 
Fishing.—Includes oyster and shell fishing. 
Fish.—Includes oysters, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, 
crayfish, and shellfish, and the spat, spawn, brood, ova, 
or fry of oysters, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, crayfish, or 
fish. 
Vessel.—Means and includes any ship, lighter, keel, 
barge, boat, punt, wherry, raft, or craft, or any other 
kind of vessel navigated by any form of motive power. 
Fisherman.—Means any person registered as a fisher¬ 
man or the owner of a boat or vessel used for fishing or 
let for hire for fishing on the River Thames. 
Measurement of Nets.— Except as provided in bye¬ 
law 33, when in the bye-laws the measurement of nets 
is referred to, such measurement shall be made from 
knot to knot across the diagonal of the mesh when 
such net is wet and the mesh is extended to the 
utmost. 
River Thames.—Shall mean and include (1) the River 
Thames and Isis, from Cricklade, in the county of 
Wilts to Yantlet, in the county of Kent; (2) all back¬ 
waters, creeks, side channels, bays, and inlets connected 
with or forming part of the said rivers or either of 
them as defined by the Thames Preservation Act, 1885; 
(3) all creeks, inlets, channels, or bends between Ted- 
dington Lock, in the county of Middlesex, and Yantlet- 
creek, in the county of Kent, so far as the tide flows and 
reflows therein at ordinary times. 
By order, JAMES H. GOUGH, Secretary of the 
Conservators of the River Thames. 
No. 41, Trinity-square, Tower-hill, London, 
May 29, 1893. 
B^coi^incial Botes 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The monthly meeting of the committee of the Bir¬ 
mingham Angling Association was held on Thursday, 
June 1. The minutes of the previous meeting were read 
and confirmed, after which Messrs. Hughes and Coles 
gave in their report of their visit to the Convivial 
Society, which was considered satisfactory. It has been 
decided to hold the annual contest on Sept. 4 next. It 
was also resolved that the sum of ^35 be expended in 
the purchasing of prizes. Mr J. Dance tendered his 
resignation, which was accepted with regret. 
The railway arrangements for the Birmingham 
Anglers’ Benevolent Society excursion and contest, 
which takes place on Saturday, July 15, are now com¬ 
pleted. Members are asked to interest themselves in 
the sale of tickets, so that the funds of the society may 
be benefited. 
The Birmingham Duddestone Society has at last been 
compelled to dissolve, and the majority of the members 
have joined the Ashted Society. Perch and dace are 
now in very good condition, especially those taken from 
running waters. The roach and chub are yet far from 
being clean. Delegates of the Birmingham Association 
are requested not to forget the quarterly meeting of the 
association on Thursday evening next, June 15, when 
important business will be transacted.—C. White. 
FROM DERBYSHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Not since 1887 have the prospects for the opening of 
the coarse fish season been so favourable as they are for 
next Friday. The abnormal heat and long drought were 
the factors which led to this result. The warm weather 
made food very abundant, and disease was almost absent. 
Coarse fish of all kinds are abundant and in excellent 
condition. I think one may safely say that it will be an 
unusually good barbel year. The salmon season has 
been a most dismal failure. The heavy floods just 
before and during the early portion of the season could 
not;, however, have occurred at a more suitable time. 
In my opinion the most fatal obstacle to the Trent re¬ 
gaining its former position as a salmon river is the 
dangerous life which its parr have to lead, and the still 
more dangerous passage to the sea, through which such 
of these parr as attain to the dignity of smolts have to 
pass. The trout streams are all very low and clear, but 
in Derwent, Dove, and Wye, fair bsskets are being made 
with the fly, but mostly towards the evening. The gray¬ 
ling a'^e rising freely, and are in forward condition. In 
the brooks “dapping” with the natural fly. “blue¬ 
bottle,” or “ drakes,” has yielded fairly good sport, but 
it is not a very sporting method, though compelled by 
the conditions. 
U5 
FROM THE FEN DISTRICT (LINCOLNSHIRE'. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
From all parts of the Fen District the prospects for 
the coming season are excellent. Active preparations 
are being made for a commencement of sport. A season's 
ticket to angle in “ Black Sluice ” waters costs 23. Gd., 
and day permits (Is. each) may also be had of any of the 
commissioners in. the district, or at the clerk’s office. 
Donington, near Spalding. Eel fishing will be one of 
the chief attractions for some weeks after the season 
has commenced. The reports from the Witham and 
Welland are of a very encouraging character. In some 
parts of the river sport has already commenced. In the 
Market Deeping waters the fish have greatly increased 
since the formation of the association. In the district 
about Stamford the Buckinghamshire otter hounds have 
recently been making a very successful raid on the 
otters, which were doing much damage amongst the fish 
in the Wetland. Lord Kesteven, who is a lover of all 
true sport, entertained the owners of the pack at Case- 
wick Hall, and some capital sport was had. 
FROM HAMPSHIRE AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
We have had a little rain, and on Saturday I came 
across a number of patient anglers. One Wintonian 
had a Ijlb- trout. The bait used was “ ’taters.” With 
this original bait he obtained one of IJlb. He informed 
me that there are six spots altogether open to anglers 
near Winchester, and he thought the best was certainly 
near the Black Bridge. The periodical “ netting ” took 
place on Saturday, when big and little fish were 
“ caught ” in profusion. 
The early visitation of the May-fly in Hants rather 
upset many of our anglers, as this fly does not generally 
put in an appearance until after the weeds have been 
cut. 
Some fine trout are reported to have been taken from 
the Bishopstoke waters. 
On the Lambourne also the May-fly appeared wonder¬ 
fully early this year. Some good fish were taken, and 
the water is being kept in good condition by Hedge 
the keeper. _ ° ’ 
FROM NORFOLK. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Anglers in this district are now looking forward to 
being out shortly after roach and bream with some 
confidence, as we have had (on Sunday and Monday) 
some soaking rains and thunderstorms, which have put 
all the waters in the county into very good condition 
for bottom fishing. One gentleman on Monday got three 
stone of bream at Buckenham, and on Tuesday two rods 
took about Jst. at Surlingham in the Horse Shoe reach. 
A few similar catches are reported from the Bure at 
Horning. 
FROM SHROPSHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
We would recommend anglers to tour for a few weeks 
in North Wales and judge for themselves whether they 
are not in a far better po.sition than anglers over the 
border as regards all round sport. We hear much of 
the splendid trout fishing obtainable in many rivers on 
the North Wales coast, but it is a myth. The scenery 
of North Wales cannot be surpassed in magnificence 
and grandeur ; and a visit to the lakes around Snowdon 
or Bala will amply repay the tourist even though he 
may not fill his creel. The rivers swarm with trout, 
but they are so wretchedly small. As far as the lakes 
are concerned, they are difficult to reach and to fish. 
The smaller streams are at the time of writing exceed¬ 
ingly iow, and sport bad. At Llanbedr we observed a 
goodly number of trout, and above Aberartro Bridge we 
carefully angled several miles of water with little 
success. Below the bridge alluded to the water is 
preserved by the Llanbedr Association, and contains 
larger fish than above. There has not yet been sufficient 
water to bring up the swim, but one or two were to be 
seen. Between the village and the sea is some excellent 
angling water, and we have no reason to doubt the 
statements of local gentlemen in this district as well as of 
those with whom we met at Trefriw and Bettws-y-Coed, 
that the salmon and sewin fishing is satisfactory. We 
have every cause to believe that if Shropshire angling 
societies will co-operate with the Shropshire Angling 
Association and act in the common cause of fair angling, 
the Severn may be made one of the best, if not the best, 
angling rivers in this part of the country. 
FROM WORCESTER AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The water in both rivers and streams is very low and 
fine, and in the trout streams the fish have been gorged 
with theMay-fly, so that they would hardly take anything 
else. In the Severn several good fish have been taken 
with the artificial minnow under the weirs ; and several 
salmon have been hooked, but not captured. Some fair 
baskets of trout and dace have been taken in the Teme, 
Black Gnat, Black and Rec Palmers, Red Spinners, Pale 
Blue, Red Tag, Governor, Alder, and Yellow Dun, have all 
been used: and the chub fisherman has had rare sport 
and heavy baskets. An immense eel, 51b. 3oz. in 
weight, and 43in. in length, was caught in the Droitwioh 
Canal by an angler named Walker. 
On account of great pressure upon our space, 
some Provincial Notes are unavoidably held over. 
