June 17, 1893] 
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PISHING GAZETTE 
473 
ff^conncial Botee 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The inquiry respecting the River Avon coming under 
the jurisdiction of the Severn Fishery Board, was held at 
the headquarters of the Birmingham Association on 
Thursday, the 8th inst. Mr. J. Stallard, the clerk 
to the Severn Fishery Board, attended and took down 
all the evidence in writing so that it could be placed 
before the Board of Trade. Near upon thirty of the 
oldest anglers in Birmingham attended to give evidence, 
which was of the greatest importance, and went to show 
that the Avon was one of the most ill-used rivers in 
the kingdom, netting being practised all the year 
round, irrespective of the close season; the millers 
drawing the water off two or three times a week all the 
year round in order to capture the fish getting into the 
fixed traps at the floodgates. One gentleman related 
the case of a miller who had a couple of nets that would 
reach across the river, and who used to net the water two 
or three times a week, and boil the fish down for his pigs. 
A large number of cast nets wore employed by^ certain 
persons diving adjacent to the river. Pollution was 
another great evil which interfered with the increase of 
fish life in the river, and some of the tributaries are 
now no better than common sowers. 
A special committee meeting of the Birmingham 
Anglers Benevolent committee was held on the 8th inst., 
for the purpose of receiving the report from the depu¬ 
tation appointed to wait upon the G.VV.E. Co., to make 
the arrangements for the forthcoming excursion on the 
15th July. 
The River Avon, in the Defford and Eckington dis¬ 
trict, is now closed to the public. The land adjacent to 
the river in this neighbourhood was formerly rented by 
a gentleman known as Squire Flood, who never objected 
to anyone fishing the river from his land, but the land 
has now passed into other hands. Anglers must now 
obtain permission to fish. 
The fish in the Midlands have got over their spawning 
quite a month earlier than usual; this is no doubt due to 
the grand weather we have had this last three months. 
Ijam informed that the roach in the Avon and its tribu¬ 
taries are in splendid condition. The white paste is the 
best killing bait, as the fish are not yet on the wheat or 
malt. Some good fish have been taken at Wixford. 
FROM DERBYSHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
P Not for a good many years has the season for coarse 
fish on the Trent, which begins on the 16th, given 
promise of opening under such favourable conditions 
and with such fair prospects. We seem likely to have a 
revival of the good old times so far as barbel are con¬ 
cerned. The opening month is as often as not the beat 
period for barbel fishing, and as the conditions are at 
present favourable, everything warrants one in ex¬ 
pecting that plenty of sport will be obtained. Chub are 
in a very forward condition. Worm and caddis bait 
will probably be the favourite lures for the opening 
portion of the season, though I expect the few local 
anglers who use fly for chub to beat the bottom fishers. 
Why Trent anglers, as a class, should avoid the fly it is 
not easy to see, unless they cannot throw a fly, or are 
afraid to try. Dace, roach, &c., will all be in good con¬ 
dition on the opening day, but, so far as roach are 
concerned, there is yet plenty of time, September being 
as good a month as any on the Trent for roach. 
Salmon fishing is at a complete standstill, and the 
season so far has been a failure. 
FROM THE FEN DISTRICT (LINCOLNSHIRE). 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
At the time of writing (Wednesday evening), the con¬ 
ditions for angling in the Fen rivers and drains, which 
commenced yesterday (Friday) were not quite so favour¬ 
able as could have been wished. All the waters are 
very low and clear, consequent upon the excessive dry 
weather lately experienced ; and if the bright sunshine 
continues, I fear anglers will not meet with much 
success in the middle of the day. Local fishermen, how¬ 
ever, contemplate good sport amongst eels, which are 
generally fished for early and late ; and as the rivers 
are practically full of these fish, there is no reason to 
doubt that their expectations will be realised. Next 
week I hope to give some results of the sport obtained 
on the Forty-foot and its tributaries. _ One of the best 
spots on this river I know of for immediate roach fishing 
is at Donington Bridge, where anglers can operate from 
the barge ends. Here the weeds are leas prevalent, and 
there are better facilites for ground-baiting. Although 
the weeds will prove a nuisance for some time to come, 
tbe general prospects are good, but a good soaking rain 
is needed to improve the chances of the angler. All 
along the Witham active preparations ara being made 
for a commencement of sport. 
FROM HAMPSHIRE AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
A few good trout have this week been obtained from 
the Itchen, weights generally ranging from 11b. to 2jlb. 
I have not heard of a single salmon being killed in the 
waters of the Test for the last fortnight. Have just 
obtained the following list of catches of trout from the 
Lambourne, near Newbuty, during the last week the 
fly was on ; Mr. A. Baxter, six brace ; Sir H. Hewitt, 
2ilb.; Mr. G. Baxter, IJlb.; Mr. M. Mitford, IJlb.; 
Messrs. Standing, Hurley, Burl, and Major Cunliffe, one 
brace each ; while Messrs. H. L. Smith, Colonel Towns¬ 
end, and Rev. M. Ramsay have had single fish. All 
were good fish, and most of them provided capital 
sport. Some good perch fishing is to be had at 
Bournemouth, and I believe this is the only coarse 
fishing of any account in the county of Hants. At 
Reading there is a lack of colour on the water, but 
there are thousands of fine fish, and the spawning 
season has been good. The trout anglers are still busy, 
but are much tried by the boating traffic.—J. E. W. 
FROM THE LAKE DISTRICT. , 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Anglers are still much hampered in their operations, 
both as to time and the places in which to expect a 
modicum of success. Mill dams and the deeper pools of 
rivers are now most affected by the craft; and night, as 
a rule, is the only time when it is worth throwing a line. 
From South Westmorland numbers of fish are being 
taken from Bowston Dam, on the Kent, and higher up 
the same stream. On the Upper Eden, fly-fishers are 
having from half-a-dozen to a dozen in a night’s angling. 
The question of extending the time for perch fishing was 
discussed at the meeting of the Lake District Fishery 
Board. Major Braithwaite-Wilson suggested that fish¬ 
ing for perch, which nominally opened on June 10, 
should commence on the Ist of that month. Visitors 
regularly fished during the close time, and the Board 
winked at it; therefore he thought it would be well if 
such fishing were made legal. Mr. Watson said there 
was an impression that, in a salmon and trout-fishery 
district, coarse fish were subject to no close time. He 
had understood Mr. Fell, chairman of the Board, on one 
occasion to say that at no time was it illegal to fish for 
perch, only “ they could not be exposed for sale.” The 
clerk read the bye-law, which only exempted pike from 
the operation of a close time. He remembered a con¬ 
siderable time ago, when the matter was discussed, there 
was then a serious falling off of perch in the lake -, it 
was doubtful whether the stock would survive, and, 
therefore, it was considered best to allow a close time. 
Among other matters discussed were the transference of 
early salmon to late streams ; pollution in the district 
and the means being adopted to prevent a recurrence ; 
and the destruction of pike in Lake Windermere, it 
being reported that 6231b. of pike had been taken from 
the lake, as the result of the Board’s expenditure to 
that end. _____ 
FROM LANCASHIRE. 
To the l^ditor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The delegates met on the 8th for the despatch of 
special business at the Merry Anglers, Mr. J. Pendrigh, 
the president, in the chair. The most important item 
for consideration was the proposed monster social 
gathering, which is fixed for Saturday, July 29, the 
place selected being the waters of the Whaley Bridge 
Fishery. Many prizes have been promised. The Long- 
sight Angling Society are due at Boynton Pool to decide 
a fixture on the 21th, and intend being represented in 
the All-England contest to be decided at Brigg on July 
24. The first contest arranged by the Levenshulme 
local society takes place at Whaley Bridge, on the 17th. 
The Palatine Angling Society is now located at the 
Church Inn, Longsight, and their first contest is fixed 
for the 17th, at Poynton Pool. 
Reports are to hand of disease amongst fish in many 
waters that are reduced to an exceptionally low level. 
The St. Helen’s Angling As.«ociation have decided to 
follow up the generous support given to the Worsley 
Canal Fishery by fishing one of their contests in these 
waters on July 1. To-day the Stalybridge anglers open 
their newly-acquired canal with a match tor prizes 
given by patrons of the local association. Next Satur¬ 
day the Howebridge anglers are noted for a match at 
CllGStsI* 
The Rivers Pollution Committee have just hell a 
meeting and dealt with many cases. 
FROM MONTGOMERYSHIRE, 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Very great interest is now taken in the preservation 
of all our angling streams. On the River Vyrnwy, Mr. 
H. C. F. Somerset and Mr. 'I'homas Pryee have set a 
very good example in the neighbourhood of Llanymy- 
nech, by introducing into the river some thousands of 
trout, and also keeping strict watch over those moat 
deadly enemies to anglers, night poachers with nets. 
The Severn board of conservators have also given 
their water-bailiffs strict orders to summon all persons 
found fishing without a licence or otherwise knowingly 
infringing the rules and regulations, and a very short 
time ago an assistant school inspector was convicted of 
fishing without a licence, and also taking grayling out 
of season. _ 
FROM NORFOLK. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
Local anglers are now going out in fair numbers after 
roach and bream, and the season is opening well on the 
Yare, some very good sport having been obtained during 
the week. 
On Sunday, two rods got 5^ stone at Reedham Ferry 
in about six hours. Some of the fish were over 41b. 
each, and two other rods took 2J atone at Buckenham ; 
at Cantley and Langley some good bags of twenty to 
thirty roach and bream were also taken. 
On Monday, “ Professor ” Day had a score roach and 
bream at Buckenham, and on Tuesday at Cantley he 
had another good catch, while on the same day another 
angler had forty bream at Cantley near the Devil’s 
House. 
Several other fair baskets have been made all along 
the reaches of the lower half of the river, and I hope 
the good sport obtained will give a spurt to angling, and 
ensure a good opening for the season. 
On the Bure, not so much has been done, but in about 
a week good sport will be had on this river.—A. J. 
Rudd. _ 
FROM NOTTINGHAM. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The coarse fish angling season opened yesterday 
(Friday), and when my notes were written two days pre¬ 
viously prospects were looking all that could be desired. 
The river was extremely low and clear, and the fish are 
known to be more forward in condition than for years 
past. Caddis grubs are still fairly numerous, and barbel, 
chub, and roach will prefer them to any other sort of 
bait. Preference in the initial stages of the campaign 
should be paid to the streams and likely swims generally. 
Deep water fishing will be best pursued at a later period 
of the summer. Salmon anglers appear, at length, to 
have given up the pursuit of the sport in disgust. A 
worse spring season has not been known for years. 
On the tributaries a few lots of trout have been got, 
notably with the Yellow Dun and Mayfly, although the 
fly season is now practically at an end. 
On Wednesday night the bi-annual dinner of the 
Nottingham Wellington Angling Society was held 
at the Wellington Hotel, Station-street, Nottingham. 
The society is one of the best and most popular in the 
Midland counties, and after the banquet a complimentary 
testimonial was presented to Mr. Harry Spray, the hon. 
sec. I shall have, however, more to say on the subject 
in my next. ___ 
FROM SHEFFIELD. 
To the Editot of the Fishing Gazette. 
At the quarterly meeting of the Sheffield Anglers 
Association, held on Wednesday week, the first busi¬ 
ness brought forward was the agreement between the 
association and Mr. Smith, who is selling the associa¬ 
tion a stretch of water at Mizzen, near Retford. This 
agreement was drawn up by the chairinan, and on that 
account was rejected, Mr. Eagers holding that it would 
be better to have one drawn up by a solicitor. The next 
item of business related to taking undersized fish. Mr. 
Eagers moved that the scale of a contemporary be 
adopted, and that members found taking fish beneath 
the sizes contained thereon be expelled from the asso¬ 
ciation. After discussion a resolution was passed, 
leaving the question to the individual judgment and 
honour of the members. 
The association has decided to have another open 
match. It is to take place at Kirkstead on the third 
Monday in September. Those members who object to 
it will have the consolation of reflecting that the money 
spent on the match is their own. 
FROM SHROPSHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The members of the Shrewsbury Severn Angling 
Society had an outing to Shrawardine on Thursday, 
June 8. An alfresco luncheon was provided by Messrs. 
Jones Brothers, to which ample justice was done. The 
chief feature in the programme was the dinner at the 
residence of Mr. M. C. Sturgis, of Ford House, who 
spared no pains to ensure the thorough enjoyment of his 
guests. A handsome collection of preserved freshwater 
fishes adorned the room. Speeches and harmony 
followed, and at the conclusion of the repast, Mr, J, 
Williams (hon. sec.) thanked Mr. and Mrs. Sturgis for 
their generous hospitality. Mr. Sturgis, in reply, 
expressed a hope that they would visit him again 
another year. He proposed “Success to the Society,” 
a toast which was responded to by Mr. J. H. Morris, 
who spoke with satisfaction of the probable amalgama¬ 
tion of the Shrewsbury Society with the Shropshire 
Severn Angling Association. The I'emainder of the 
evening was devoted to music and conviviality. Messrs. 
W. Jones, K. Jones, A. Morris, W. Brown, and others 
contributing some capital songs, and Mr. E. Piper a 
recitation. To Mr. J. Williams must be accorded un¬ 
bounded praise for the admirable manner in which he 
had carried out the arrangements. 
FROM WORCESTER AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The water in both Severn and Teme is extremely low 
and clear. A good few anglers have been out, but very 
little sport obtained ; to most of them it has been a week 
of disappointment, many coming home with empty creels. 
Prom the Severn I have heard of but one trout being 
taken, Jj^lb. in weight, and that taken with the artificial 
minnow. 
The Teme has yielded better sport. A few brace of 
trout have been taken with fly and wasp grub. Red 
Spinner, Sky Blue, and Yellow Dun going best. Some 
good takes of dace with Black Gnat and with the 
maggot ; and some large chub were taken with the 
fly, some 31b. weight. There is an abundance of fish in 
the rivers, and when we get some rain to clear the river 
of the stale water sport should be good. . ,, 
The “ Worcester Working Men’s Angling Society 
had a special meeting on Tuesday. There were over 
sixty members present. Money for prizes rolled in, 
and members are increasing rapidly, and there is every 
prospect of this becoming by far the largest club in the 
district. The president, Mr. E. H. Bowen, was in the 
