488 
THE EI8HING GAZETTE 
[Jttne 24, 1893 
NOTES FOR CLUB ANGLERS. 
Angling is now in fnll swing up the Thames. 
Hundreds of fishermen were out on Sunday and en¬ 
countered varied sport. In the tidal waters the boats 
completely upset piscatorial operations at times, and I 
don’t think very much was done. Something big—it 
was either a barbel or a carp—was had during the day 
at Twickenham. The fish was hooked by an angler out 
with a professional fisherman, and about half an hour 
elapsed before it could be got into the landing-net. 
What the fish was my informant was not near enough 
to see. John Keene, jun., the well-known Staines 
fisherman, has made one of the best starts of the 
808(SOI1> ^ ^ 
Dace, gudgeon, grayling, and pope can now be taken 
by anglers in the open or public waters of the Lea. 
A NICE trout of 3Jlb. was caught in a net a few days 
ago at Hardham Mill, on the Rother. Just here it 
certainly looks a very trouty spot, and I should recom¬ 
mend seme of the “Juniors,” when they are down 
Pulborough way, to pay it a visit. 
Last week “ Dragnet ” mentioned the capture of a 
sea-lamprey on an eel-line at Pulborough. When in that 
neighbourhood on Sunday. I may say that I saw two 
more of those curious-looking fish, which had been 
captured in an eel-basket in the Rother. 
*#* 
A LARGE number of roach and dace have been seen in 
the Sussex Rother lately, and several nice lots of fish 
have been taken there since opening of the season in the 
Fittleworth, Midhurst, and Selham districls. 
*#* 
The Wandle was visited by several members of the 
Gresham Angling Society last week, with a view of 
obtaining some roach for their new water. Permission 
had to he obtained to net a stretch of the river, which 
the owner wishes to keep solely for trout, but, owing to 
the heavy weed growth, their efforts met with poor 
success as far as roach were concerned. Better luck 
next time ! ,, ,, 
A 3lb. bream was, I hear, on show at the Anchor 
and Hope Club on Sunday. A brace of brook trout also 
figured on the trays, but there was no Thames trout 
there, which, considering the early morniug adventures 
of a certain member who went after one at Hampton 
Court, was too bad. It is not often anglers drive out 
fishing as early as 2.30 a.m.! 
*** 
Mr. W. J. Crisp has added a fine case of bream (one fish 
61b. 4oz.) to the New Albion Piscatorials’ collection. 
Ho has also just received from the taxidermist three 
fine roach weighing 51b. lOJoz. By-the-bye, I am sorry 
Mr. Crisp’s name should have been omitted from the 
report of the New Albion’s dinner, as it was through 
his efforts that the attendance of Maior Isaacs was 
secured. ,, ,, 
The London Anglers took Pulborough and Amberley 
by storm on Sunday, and the Arun in the latter district 
was heavily fished, especially by Central Association 
men, who tried their newly-rented water there for the 
first time. It took two special trians to convey the 
anglers into Sussex, and on Saturday quite a little 
“ crowd” of the fraternity (190) was also booked out of 
London Bridge for thete two popular angling resorts. 
With regard to angling results, some of the visitors had 
fair takes considering the clear water and the 
phenomenal heat. Several bream up to about 31b. were 
landed, and Wright, jun., of the Second Surrey, took a 
roach well over the pound. 
A NUMBER of the members of the Rodney Piscatorials 
were out on Sunday, and at the weigh-in in the evening 
at the Prince and Princess of Wales, Bagshot-street, I 
hear a couple of fine bream, betwi en .31b. and 41b., were 
on view. On the club trays were also displayed a Thames 
barbel and a number of dace from Richmond. 
*#* 
Many anglers fishing the Arun on Sunday were 
startled at seeing huge clouds of black smoke rising out 
of a plantation on the main road between Amberley and 
Pulborough, and later on a long line of fire was observed 
running along the ground. The fire, it was afterwards 
ascertained, was at Watersfield Towers, the picturesque 
country retreat of Mr. Murrough, a London solicitor, 
and in a short time a large number of beautiful trees 
were either consumed or damaged. The plantation is 
situated on a hill with the mansion at the top of it, and 
it is marvellous how it escaped destruction seeing that 
the flames frequently “licked” it. The fire travelled 
“like lightning,” and the roar of the advancing flames 
was simply deafening. However, the villagers rendered 
gallant assistance, and the fierce fire was eventually 
prevented from spreading. The origin of the fire 
should be a warning to anglers to exercise as much care 
as possible during this dry season, when everything in 
the country side is like tinder. It simply arose through 
an old man, after lighting his pipe, throwing the match 
on the Lank side, which was covered with dry bracken 
and grass, and in less time than it takes me to pen the 
words the underwood in the plantation was ablaze, and 
the flames spread right and left with terrible rapidity. 
The fire attracted a good number of country people to 
the spot, and among the eye-witnesses of the scene were 
several Londoners and Goosequill. 
C>rovincial IRotes 
FROM BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The quarterly general meeting of the Birmingham 
Association was held on June 15. Mr. T. Coles presided, 
and Mr. J. Hughes occupied the vice-chair. 'The 
minutes of the committee meeting, held June 1, which 
dealt with the place of contest and grant for prizes, were 
read and confirmed, with the exception of the minutes 
dealing with the place of contest and the grant for 
prizes. Mr. Eaton, of the Highgate Park Society, sug¬ 
gested that the contest should be held at Pershoro, to 
fish down the river towards Bredon. 
The river Avon from Pershore down to Tewkesbury is 
in splendid condition for angling. There is plenty of 
water in the river, and also plenty of fish, which are 
well on the feed early in the morning and late at night. 
Some good chub have been taken at Pershore lately, 
and at Twyning Fleet some very good bream, roach, 
and eels. Mr. (j. Cottrell and his brother have had 
some good sport with the bream. The time for fishing 
fhe Avon will be about three weeks from now, when the 
fish will go at the wheat and malt, and I hope my readers 
will not forget that Avon at Twyning is the best fishing 
within twenty miles of Birmingham. 
The Bird in Hand Society,which met at the “Bird in 
Hand ” Inn, Norton-street, Hockley, have completed their 
arrangements for their excursion to T armouth on July 
10, for the purpose of fishing the river Yaro. A special 
midnight train will leave New-street Station at a few 
minutes past twelve o’clock, the fare is 53. only, and 
anyone wishing for further information may obtain the 
same from Cook’s Excursion Office, or Mr. Hunt, the 
secretary of the Bird in Hand Society. 
Netting on a large scale has been going on in the 
neighbourhood of Wyre-on-the-Avon, near to Pershore. 
This kind of thing has. been going on throughout the 
close season. Anglers should give this place a wide 
berth, as it is only a loss of time and money to visit such 
places. 
The Aston Britannia have taken a long stretch of the 
Avon in the Fladbury district. This portion of the 
Avon contains some very good fish, and some excellent 
sport should be had. 
FROM DERBYSHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
So far as the weather conditions were concerned, the 
coarse fish season could not have opened more auspi¬ 
ciously on Trentside and its tributaries, streams, and 
canals. The Trent is extremely low, and, what is worse, 
is full of flannel weed, and the bed is also very foul. 
Caddis bait has not been taken too keenly. Wasp-gfrub 
has done fairly well, but maggot has been the most 
deadly here, especially for dace. To secure even 
moderate success in the present state of the water and 
weather, one must fish fine and in shallow, swift-moving 
water. The dace are in remarkably good order, and 
rising freely to the fly. Barbel are still to a large 
extent on the shallows, and the first of the season was 
taken by a member of the Wellington Association on 
their new water above Shardlow. I do not anticipate 
much sport amongst chub with the bottom bait of any 
kind, until we have a flood. They are, however, rising 
with great freedom, especially towards evening, and any¬ 
one who uses fly is certain to have some good sport. As, 
however, most Trent anglers shun using the fly, and are 
more or less skilful hands at spinning in the Notting¬ 
ham style, why they do not go more in for spinning 
the natui’al minnow in rough water, and more especially 
below weirs, is to me a mystery. At this season 
it is an extremely deadly lure for chub. Fly is, 
of course, best of all, but failing it, spinning the 
natural minnow will be found very deadly. Roach have 
not yet been “ on,” though some fair bags have been 
made in the different reaches, particularly about Sawley. 
Until we have rain the bottom fishers will not do much. 
Plenty of canal anglers have been out, but they have 
done next to nothing Salmon fishing in the main river 
has been at a standstill, in fact it has been practically 
abandoned for the season. 
The trout streams are all in a deplorably low condi¬ 
tion, while the brooks are absolutely unfishable. J he 
Dove, the Wye, and the Derwent are all very low. The 
fewfish that are feeding on the fly during the day are tak¬ 
ing the Black Gnat and Yellow Duas. The moat killing 
flies on all the Derbyshire streams have been Yellow and 
Ash Duns, Red Quill, Dotterel, Honey Dun, Bumbles, 
Sandflies,and Brown Spinners, though I can recommend a 
fly called the “ Golden Earwig.” Some good fish have 
been taken in the Derwent towards evening with wasp- 
grub and brandling worms. Some wholesale fish poisoning 
occurred on Wednesday week. No fewer than sixty fish, 
weighing up to IJlb., were picked out. Luckily the 
damage did not extend over more than a few hundred 
yards of water. Grayling prospects are excellent for 
the year; the fish being numerous and in forward con¬ 
dition. in addition to the flies already mentioned the 
Little Marryat and the Red Spinner will probably be 
found the most killing flies for grayling, though the 
majority of them, as matters are, wull be nearly ready to 
fall victims to the maggot, or a “ swim ” worm. 
FROM THE FEN DISTRICT (LINCOLNSHIRE). 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The rivers are still running low and clear ; this, com¬ 
bined with the weedy state of some waters—the Forty- 
foot especially—puts angling at a discount. Sportsmen 
continue to go out in goodly numbers, but it is only 
those using the finest line who do any good amongst 
roach. The maggot has killed several nice ones running 
up to fib. Perch are extremely difficult to catch, and 
probably we shall do little with them until there is some 
rain. Several anglers are having a rare time of it 
amongst eels. 
An old angler, who has just returned home, states that 
a tench weighing 31b. was taken from the Forty-foot waters 
to-day (Wednesday), and that several others have been 
seen in the lower reaches of the river. 
FROM H\MPSHIRE AND DISTRICT. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
We have had a spell of stormy weather—thunder, 
lightning, and a little rain, plenty of the former and a 
little of the latter. 
A large sturgeon was captured in the Botley river by 
a man named Butt. It w'eighed COlb., aud has been 
exhibited at Southampton. 
In the Nev/^bury paragraph last week the takes of 
trout recorded should have been brace and not pounds. 
Latest accounts include : Mr. A. Baxter, three brace ; 
Mr. E. Baxter, one and a half brace ; Mr. G. Baxter, one 
brace; Mr. H. Cruse, one brace; Mr. Mittord, one 
single fish—all from association waters. The Sedgefly 
has been very fetching during evening. Fishing opened 
upon the Kennett on Friday, and sport so far has been 
fairly good. 
At Hungerford the best two trout caught during the fly 
season (Mayfly) have been four pounders. 
At Compton, trout also have been of good proportions 
during the same period, the takes including five of 131b. 
The weeds were the chief obstacle, and were noticeable 
all along the river. Prospects at present appear good. 
FROM LANCASHIRE. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The turn out of anglers on the 17th was very large) 
but of the sport nothing startling can be said. One 
society has lost all its fish, and the expense and waiting 
of three years is entirely thrown away. On the 17th, 
the Barton Social Anglers turned out to fish their first 
match since the society was formed. Tne water chosen 
was the Moss Reach length of the Worsley Canal 
Fishery. Twenty-eight competed. The Stalybridge 
and District Angling Association opened their canal 
fishery on the 17th, seventy-one members fishing for 
eight prizes. The Levenshulme Angling society visited 
the Whaley Bridge Fishery, lately acquired by the Man¬ 
chester Anglers, and succeeded in finding winners for 
all their prizes. The Manchester Anglers are to be con¬ 
gratulated on the getting of this important fishery. The 
trip to Lincoln, organised by the anglers from (jldham 
and other towns, is already an assured success. The 
great muster of the anglers of Manchester for the end of 
July is anticipated with every confidence, the Midland 
Railway Company having consented to run a special 
train for their convenience. The Weaver in the North- 
wich district, and a few miles out of this town, is fishing 
well, and there is abundance of fish. The Hampton 
Court Angling Society intend fishing a match on this 
length in the course of a few weeks. The Moss Side 
Social Angling Society spent an afternoon on the 17th at 
their Radcliffe Bridge waters, to decide the first of their 
series of matches comprising the six arranged for the 
championship of the society. 
FROM NORFOLK. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The grand summer weather still continues, and, 
though no really big catches have been made, yet every 
one has caught some fish, and soma taken during the 
week have been of fair size. Fair bags are now to be 
hadon Yare, Bure, and Thurne, particularly on the latter 
river at Heigham Sounds, where the rudd are well on 
the feed. Bream, too, are biting well at this place, 
which is rented by Mr. G. Applegate, jun., of Potter 
Heigham, for the use of gentlemen hiring boats of him. 
One gentleman, on Monday, had four stone of bream ; 
and another angler (Mr. Reeve) has had good sport 
there for the last ten days - in two days getting 5st. 31b., 
some of them of good size. Some good bream were 
taken on Monday at Cantley, 31b. and 41b. each.— 
A. J. Rudd. _ 
FROM NOTTINGHAM. 
To the Editor of the Fishing Gazette. 
The coarse fish angling season was ushered in in a 
blaze of heat. On Tuesday in some parts of a neigh¬ 
bouring county heavy thunder rain was reported to 
have fallen overnight. Gentle rain in the Trent valley 
would bo heartily welcomed by fishermen and agri¬ 
culturists. Reports of sport since the opening day have 
been of a meagre description. The Trent at the period 
of writing (Wednesday) was running at a lower level 
than had been known since the Jubilee year, and the 
whole of the most difficult barbel swims were ftshable 
with comparative ease. Hundreds of these game fish 
are still located on the shallows. 
At Shardlow, on Saturday, Mr. J. Spray, a member of 
the Wellington Society, caught in the Narrow Neck 
swim sundry big chub and barbel with the caddis grub, 
and on Tuesday some of the other subscribers killed a 
number of choice eels with the leger line. In the early 
days of the season no bait will be found to equal the 
caddis grub. Bream may be regarded as a later fish, 
although a few were taken on Saturday by Mr. A. Dobson, 
Nottingham, and Mr. Fletcher, Beeston, in the Colwick 
private waters. 
