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ANGLING CLUBS
PRESERVATION SOCIETIES
BY
does WHEELDON
LATE ANGLING EDITOR OF ‘‘ BEUL’S Lire”
= Rae CLOWES—AN
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES LONE &
AND 15 CHARING CROSS: SW?
ONE SHILLING
[
OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS.
0}, 00-——
The following Handbooks upon subjects cognate to the
International Fisheries Exhibition are already published,
or in active preparation :—
NOW READY.
Demy 8v0., in Ilhsstvated Wrapper 1s. each ; or bound tx cloth 25. cack.
THE FISHERY LAWS. By FREDERICK POLLOCK, Barrister-at-
Law, M.A. (Oxon.), Hon. LL.D. Edin. ; Corpus Christi Pree of Juris-
prudence in the University of Oxford.
ZOOLOGY AND FOOD FISHES.. By Grorcr B. Howes,
Demonstrator of Biology, Normal School of Science, and Royal School of Mines,
South Kensington.
BRITISH MARINE AND FRESHWATER FISHES.
(Zilustrated.) By W. SAVILLE KENT, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Author of Official Guide-
books to the Brighton, Manchester, and Westminster Aquaria.
APPARATUS FOR FISHING. By E. W. H. Ho.ipswortu,
F.L.S., F.Z.S., Special Commissioner. for Juries, International Fisheries
Exhibition; Author of ‘‘Deep Sea Fisheries and Fishing Boats,” ‘‘ British
Industries—Sea Fisheries,” &c.
THE BRITISH FISH TRADE. By His Excellency SPENCER
WALPOLE, Lieut.-Governor of the Isle of Man.
THE UNAPPRECIATED FISHER FOLK. By James G.
BERTRAM, Author of ‘The Harvest of the Sea.”
THE SALMON FISHERIES. (/dustrated.) By C, E. FRYER.
Assistant Inspector of Salnion Fisheries, Home Olfce.
SEA MONSTERS UNMASKED. (J/ustrated.) By Henry Leg,
THE “ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION SO-
CIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROV INCES. ByJ.P. WHEELDON,
late Angling Editor of ‘* Bell’s Life.”
IN THE PRESS.
THE HISTORY OF FISHING FROM THE EARLIEST
TIMES. By W. M. ADAMs, M.A. (Oxon.), late Fellow of New College.
FISH CULTURE. (//ustrated.) By Francis Day, F.L.S., Com-
missioner for India to International Fisheries Exhibition.
FISH AS DIET. By W. SrepHen Mircueit, M.A. (Cantab.)
ANGLING IN GREAT BRITAIN. by WILLIAM SENIOR Cidved
Spinner”).
EDIBLE CRUSTACEA. By W. Savitie Kent, F.LS., F.ZS.,
ee of Official Guidebooks to the Brighton, Nanenestee and W este
uaria,
INDIAN FISH AND FISHING. (//ustrated.) By FRancis
Day, F.L.S., Commissioner for India to International Fisheries Exhibition.
in LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING.
By Joun J. MANLEY, M.A. (Oxon.)
SEA. FABLES DISCLOSED. By Henry Ler, F.L.S.
FOLK LORE OF FISHES: their Place in Fable, Fairy
Tale, Myth, and Poetry. By PHL ROBINSON.
THE OUTCOME OF THE EXHIBITION. By A. J. R.
YRENDELL, of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-Law, Literary Superintendent for
the Fisheries Exhibition.
LONDON:
WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION, & 13, CHARING CROSS.
| hriemniimeneesieentnedtttl
|
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om International Fisheries FEtxhibttion
| LONDON, 1883
ANGLING CLUBS
AND
BRE SERVATION “SOCLEPRIES
OF
LONDON AND THE PROVINCES /
BY
J. P. WHEELDON
LATE ANGLING EDITOR OF ‘*BELL’S LIFE”
LONDON
Wehr hall ©€ LOWES SANDS SONS) Eiri reD
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION
AND 13 CHARING CROSS, S.W.
1883
EE
ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION SOCIETIES
OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES.
INTRODUCTION:
IN writing this handbook it was my original intention to
give something like a short history of the formation and
present position of some, at any rate, of the chief Angling
Societies of the metropolis. Considering that there are
certainly over 150 of these societies in London alone, I well
knew that I had set myself no light task. Mapping the
matter over in my own mind, I came to the conclusion that
the only course for me to adopt was to seek the co-opera-
tion of the societies themselves, asking through their various
secretaries for information as to their origin, and also what,
if any, good work they were doing in the present. With
this view a letter was sent to the secretaries of the various
metropolitan clubs, apprising them of my design and
intention. I have to thank a small proportion of these
gentlemen, and I regret to say a very small one, for the
courtesy of a reply. The larger number evidently con-
sidered the matter beneath their valuable notice, and so
ignored it altogether. The situation hardly requires further
comment.
4 TE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
With regard to the provincial societies, the line adopted
has been entirely different—not in so far as I personally
was concerned, because the same letter was addressed to
each and all, but in the matter of politeness and courteous
consideration towards myself. The result leaves me little
room for doubt that the gentlenesses of modern society are
cultivated far more abroad than they are at home. Many
gentlemen have taken considerable trouble in affording
me especially valuable information ; to all such I tender
my warmest and heartiest thanks—not so much perhaps
for the knowledge conveyed in their letters, as for the
kindly sentiments which accompanied it.
Thus much by way of introduction, For the reason
stated, I regret very much that my little book does not
contain fuller and more concise information. I leave it,
however, to the tender mercies of my readers.
It would probably be very difficult for the angler of
to-day to realise what the Thames and the Lea were like
some fifty years ago. Those are the two great home rivers,
centres of all the persevering efforts made day by day, week
by week, and month after month, by the London angler,
whose great aim it is to catch a big fish of some sort—it
matters very little what—and have his name go down
to posterity, decked with emblematic laurels as the
“champion” in such and such a class of fishing. Such
happy fate may be preserved for all time—until at any rate
the record is beaten—upon the tablets of fame connected
with some small local angling club.
But fifty years ago—and what a paradise for sports-
men the Thames must have been then !—swans were kept
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 5
within bounds, and at that time it was not necessary to
employ bands of men, as it is in the present day, to drive
these handsome but terribly destructive birds from the
line of weed-fringed roots dependent from stubbly pollards
lining the bank, and upon which spawning perch have
deposited their riband-like strings of ova, nor from “ the
hills” in the weir streams, where the great and bonny
mother trout has frequented during that time when she was
simply obeying Nature’s urgent laws.
Steam launches, probably the greatest of all great curses
to him who, following the example of a writer of other
days, would fain—
“Live harmlessly, and by the brink
Of Thames or Avon have a dwelling place,
Where I may see my quill or cork down sink
With eager bite of perch or bleak or dace,
And on the world and my Creator think,
were then absolutely unknown. In any event, there were
none of those thrice detestable “ puffers,” with silent engines
and dull moaning whistle, which daily and hourly tear
through the water at the rate of 12 to 20 miles an hour,
doing direful and deadly injury every yard they go. It
may be said that this language is excessive in its strength,
and overstrained in its application. Not a whit, take my
word for it. I have seen more damage done to the ova of
spawning fish in one season, and particularly perch and
pike, by the everlasting swash and wash of these deadly
pests, more—aye, far more than an army of poachers and
fishermen could do in five years, had they even combined
their forces, without absolutely netting the river wholesale
every day, and harried every fish to death that came
within their ken.
At the first glance this would seem to be an overwhelming
6 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
statement, hastily and rashly made. One moment's con-
sideration will suffice to impress any thoughtful man’s mind
with an assurance of its truth. A pike wirer, it is true,
may kill a female fish, ripe and full of ova, and hence many
thousands of future pike are lost to the fair fisher. But
where he kills one or two fish without detection, the steam
launches are perpetually and everlastingly ploughing
through the water, not only washing away the ova de-
posited upon the weeds and sheltering roots, but destroying
thousands upon thousands of tiny just-hatched fry, which
would otherwise have probably grown up, and made in time
mature fish, the source and foundation of good sport to the
fair fishermen.
In those far-off days of the past there were such delight-
ful and fishful nooks as one misses nowadays. Com-
paratively speaking the Thames was a great stretch of
maiden water, where the unharried fish dwelt in a sense of
the most perfect security. Their chief enemy was then,
probably, the village poacher, with his rude, yet none the
less dangerous, ash pole and bit of dangling copper wire.
Lazy and idle—as indeed some few perhaps of the village
loungers of to-day may be—this worthy would stroll
down to the- river side, where mayhap, amongst bonny
sweet-smelling hay-fields lined with meadow-sweet, and
where glorious purple loosestrife bounds the river’s marge,
he met not a solitary living soul the whole summer’s day.
Here he would pry about, until he might haply descry,
basking amongst the water weeds, a big pike, with the tip
of his nose and tail clear of the water, or the dorsal fin of a
great lumbering carp. Then the fatal noose would be
brought into play, and towards night, when reeling home
from “The Haymakers,” the gloriously happy fellow might
possibly reflect, and withal possessed of an infinite sense of
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 7
satisfaction, that he was a very lucky dog indeed to be
able to get such a skinful of good old ale with so little real
trouble.
But the injury done to the fisheries of a river in such a
case—and examples of it are now happily almost extinct—
is increased a millionfold every year by that wrought by
the terrible rate at which traffic up and down the stream
is permitted. I have seen, for instance, the wave raised
by a fast launch or heavy steam-tug rushing along the
bank nearly a yard high, sweep up some little inland bay
where the water perhaps shallowed from a foot or so
at its mouth to only a few inches in depth in its interior.
That littie bay, and all such like it, is full to this day, I
hope, of tiny mites of baby fish, I have seen, as I have
said, the wave sweep across it, and as it receded it left
hundreds, possibly thousands, of little fish to die amongst
the pebbles and rank grass growing along the shore. Talk
about the destruction effected by a pair of otters, talk
about the war waged by the idle village lout upon the
finny inhabitants of a river—why, the argument falls flat
and becomes both baseless and ridiculous as opposed to
the terrible havoc wreaked by these puffing pests, deter-
mined enemies as they are to good sport, peace, and
quietude. |
It may be in the recollection of some few of the readers
of this little book that I have for years waged war, with
both voice and pen, for the suppression of what I cannot
helpeseeing 1s the chich enemy to) thes fisheries, of the
river. My work has borne at least some little fruit, inas-
much as a Bill for the better regulation of steam traffic upon
the river has gone through a select Committee of the Com-
mons, and is now before the House of Lords; and all good
anglers will, I am convinced, say amen to my prayer for its
<
8 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
success. But suppose it passes and becomes law, as I
earnestly hope it may do, it will still be an abortive and
useless measure, unless the “Angling Clubs of London”—
and here I strike the key-note of my book—help it by their
united support and assistance. It is useless for Tom to
wait while Jack or Harry strikes, in the event of any
outrage upon propriety. Tom, being the spectator of an
abuse of the existing law, should strike at once, and then
perhaps others will follow his example, so that in the event
of any breach of law in the future, the result, affecting,
recollect, the angler’s dearest and nearest interests in con-
nection with his sport, rests with the angler himself. As
there are twenty “clubmen”’ fishing the Thames to one
unassociated with any such body, this warning, and it isa
very grave one, is addressed particularly to them.
Practically, I think, or at any rate to any great extent,
poaching on the fisheries of the Thames is very nearly
extinct. Now and again there is a raid made, it is true, by
some of those determined spirits always to be found in
villages and large towns, and who would, every man-Jack
of them, infinitely prefer one poached hare or pheasant.
obtained at the price of a little adventure and devilry, to a
brace got by fair means ; but I hardly fancy that the extent
of the mischief done is very great. The reason lies in the
fact that a very large proportion of the river is now pro-
tected either by the keepers and officers of the Thames
Angling Preservation Society or by the officials of some
one or other of the local associations, all of whom are in
reality offshoots from the parent-tree just named. There
can be little doubt that the growth of the angling clubs of
London has been largely fostered by the efforts made by
the “Thames Angling Preservation Society” in the con-
servation and preservation of its fisheries. In tracing,
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 9
therefore, an imperfect history of the growth of the angling
clubs, due credit should be given to the leading Preservation
body, which exercises such an important control over the
interests of the great home river. It may therefore, at
this point, be a fair opportunity for a short description of
establishment and progress up to the present time.
The Thames Angling Preservation Society was, I believe,
first established in the year 1838. Somewhere about that
time, a report was certainly promulgated to the effect
that “the Fisheries of the River Thames had of late
afforded so little sport, owing to incessant poaching and
the destruction of the young brood and spawn during the
fence seasons, that it was almost useless to attempt angling
in certain districts at all.” Fortunately, that report found
its way to a sympathetic quarter, and it occurred to those
into whose hands it fell that if a proper representation of
the facts were made to the Lord Mayor of London (then
Sir John Cowan) he might probably be induced, in his
official capacity as Conservator of the River Thames, to
help those early pioneers of fish preservation in the course
they were endeavouring to take for the good alike of anglers
and the river itself. Acting upon this view, a meeting was
convened on the 17th of March, 1838, and was afterwards
held at the “Bell Inn,” Hampton. It was attended by the
following good anglers, most of whom, I am afraid, have
gone to that shadowy bourne, from which no angler,
however good he may have been, ever returns—Mr. Henry
Jephson, Mr. C. C. Clarke, Mr. Henry Perkins, Mr. W. H.
Whitebread, Mr. Edward Jesse, Mr. Richard Kerry, and Mr.
David Crole. These gentlemen having met, fully discussed
the important issues brought before them, and that meeting
was the groundwork upon which the present important work
of the Thames Angling Preservation Society was founded.
fe) THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
They therefore resolved themselves into a Society for “the
,
protection of fish from poachers ;” and one of the earliest
steps taken was the appointment of a staff of river-keepers,
selected principally from amongst the professional fishermen
who gained a livelihood upon the Thames. The valuable
action of this small preservative body was from the outset
fully recognised by the Lord Mayor, and warrants were
then granted to the river-keepers to act as water-bailiffs,
while certain bye-laws were framed for the better protec-
tion of the fisheries of the river. Under these by-laws
the position and power of the river-keepers is thus defined :—
They are empowered “to enter any boat, vessel, or craft of
any fisherman or dredgerman, or other person or persons
fishing or taking fish or endeavouring to take fish, and
there to search for, take and seize all spawn, fish, brood of
fish, and unsizable, unwholesome, or unseasonable fish, and
also all unlawful nets, engines, and instruments for taking
or destroying fish as shall then be in any such boat, vessel,
or craft in and upon the river, and to take and seize on
shore or shores adjoining to the said river all such spawn,
fish, and also all unlawful nets, engines, and instruments
for taking and destroying fish as shall there be found.”
The extent of water taken under control was from
Richmond to the City Stone at Staines, and immediately
efforts were made to preserve the various deeps in the
course indicated, thus making them “harbours of refuge”
for the fish. The position of such preserves may be shortly
pointed out as follows.
RKichmond.—The preserve is westward of the bridge to
the Duke of Buccleuch’s, 700 yards. Twickenham.—The
preserve is the west end of lawn, Pope’s Villa, to the ait,
400 yards. Kingston.—The preserve is from the Lower
Malthouse at Hampton Wick to the east end of Mr. J. C.
SOGCIE MESO LONDONIAND THESPROVINCES. 1f
Park’s lawn at Teddington, including the back-water
known as the Crolock, 1060 yards. Thames Ditton and
Long Ditton—The preserve is from Lord Henry Fitz-
gerald’s, running eastwards, 512 yards. Hampton.—The
preserve is from the west end of Garrick’s Lawn, including
the Tantling Bay, to the lower end pile below Moulsey
Lock, 1514 yards. Sunbury.—The preserve is from the
weir westward to the east end pile of breakwater, 683 yards.
Walton.—The preserve is at the east end of Tankerville
and west of Horse Bridge, called Walton Sale, 250 yards.
Shepperton.—The preserve is, Upper Deep, 200 yards;
Old Deep, east of the creek rails, 240 yards ; Lower Deep,
east of the drain, 200 yards. Weybridge.—The preserve
is from the weir to Shepperton Lock, 830 yards. Chertsey.
—The preserve is the weir to 80 yards eastward of the
bridge, 445 yards. Laleham and Penton Hook.—The
preserve at Penton Hook is from the guard piles eastward
round the Hook to the east end of the lock. Staines.—The
preserve is the City boundary stone to 210 yards eastward
of the bridge.
From time to time these preserves have been rendered
more efficient by the sinking of old punts, brick burrs, and
by driving stakes into the river bed, as a protection against
netting operations. The last of such established preserves
was that at Kingston, which was made in the year 1857.
Upon application being made to the Lord Mayor, the move-
ment was opposed by some of the professional fishermen,
but such opposition was overruled, and the following is a list
of the obstacles sunk :—“ Five old punts, two iron waggons,
7 feet 3 inches in length by 4 inches, and 2 feet 6 inches in
height, open at one end; 450 stakes driven; six 2-horse
loads of large brick burrs ; twenty egg chests with tenter
hooks; fifty large flint stones; ten tar-barrels, tenter-
12 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
hooked ; two large sugar casks, tenter-hooked; two punt
loads of old iron gas lamps and other useful things ; and
three sacks of tin cuttings for the landing-places along the
shore.”
In December 1857 the Board of Thames Conservancy
became invested with fuller powers in its’ government, and
an application made by the Thames Angling Preservation
Society for a continuance of the powers vested in their
bailiffs or water-keepers was at once granted. The next
step taken for the further preservation of the fisheries of the
Thames was in 1869, when an application was made for the
whole abolition of netting between Richmond Bridge and
the City Stone at Staines. This was supported by the
entire body of Thames fishermen, and in consequence of
the Conservancy Board acceding to the application the
following notice was inserted in several of the London
papers :—
“Be it ordered and established that the 16th item of
the rules, orders, and ordinances for the fisheries in the
Thames and Medway, made on the 4th day of October,
1785, be repealed, and that henceforth no person shall
use any net for the purpose of catching fish in the River
Thames between Richmond Bridge and the ‘City Stone’
at Staines, except a small net for the purpose of taking
bait only, of the following dimensions—namely, not ex-
ceeding 13 feet in circumference, and an angler’s landing
net, under penalty to forfeit and pay £5 for every such
offence. The seal of the Conservators of the River
Thames was this 23rd day of January, 1860, affixed by
order.”
But the most important work, after all, effected by
the Thames Angling Preservation Society was perhaps
the abolition of snatching and laying night lines. It is
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 13
absolutely impossible to overestimate the destruction
effected amongst spawning fish, or to others flocking to
certain places where a sewage discharge induced them to
harbour, than was effected by the detestable and unsports-
manlike practice of snatching. The sewer at the foot of
Richmond Bridge was a noted place where the so-called
angler was in the habit of exercising his unworthy craft.
The modus operandi was very much as follows: an angler
—heaven save the mark !—perhaps pretended to be fishing
for dace, and attached to his tackle he had a dozen stout
hooks set at intervals on his line, some of them baited—
others with not even that shallow pretence—with a fragmen-
tary portion of worm. All day long these delightful gentry
kept dropping a heavily shotted line into the swim, and
instantly jerking it upwards again with a powerful stroke.
Thus many a great carp has been impaled, many a lusty
bream dragged zolens volens from his watery home. The
same kind of thing was done openly and in broad daylight,
along the parade at Kingston, and the operators pretended
they were fishing—legitimately fishing! Now and again a
bold sportsman, rendered. hardy and brave with impunity,
disdained to use the shallow artifice of the bit of worm at
all, and boldly lowered amongst the gathering shoals of
bream or dace a cruel implement of sport, consisting of a
bunch of bare triangles weighted with a sinker. It may
well be in the recollection of a great many disgusted
spectators, even as the memory is likely to abide with me
for all time, of the shameful and detestable scenes that
were wont to be enacted day after day at many of the
accessible weirs, when the dace were heading up. I have
seen them slaughtered in scores, and scores of hundreds ;
and this little game went on day after day, for weeks. It
was stopped at last, and high time too. The only wonder
4. THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
I have, thinking back upon such scenes, is this : How was it
that many a good angler, who must have shuddered with
indignation at the cruel, shameful waste of life, the pain
inflicted upon the hapless fish, escaped trial for man-
slaughter at the Old Bailey, consequent upon trying to
effect the death by drowning of one or other of the manly
and noble crew? I know not.
As to the practice of laying night lines, its results were
all too palpably apparent to him who reads by the wayside
as he runs. Many and many a grand Thames trout, the
pride and crown jewel of some deep reach, has met his
death ignobly at the end of a night line, ostensibly laid
for the capture of eels. Then it was that the lucky captor
would knock his prize on the head, and straightway take
it up to the village house of a well-to-do and worthy
inhabitant, who had probably tried a round dozen of times
to effect his capture legitimately. Some such scene and
dialogue as this then followed :—
A trim and natty servant-maid appearing at the door,
honest old Bill Boozler, the hard and horny-handed, who
never told an untruth in his life, or pretended to bait a
barbel swim when he had not had a worm near his
premises for a month, rush basket in hand, thus addresses
her :—
“Mornin, Mary, my dear. Why, Lard a mussy, what
cheeks them is 0’ yourn, surelie. Redder ’n the best Ribson
pippen as I ever seen. Lard, ef I’d only bin a younger
man.”
“Go along with you; a married man and all. You
oughter bin ashamed o’ yourself,” is naturally red-cheeked
Mary’s retort.
“Well, so ’tis, Mary. Mortal ’shamed of myself Tis, and so
I don’t deceive you. Muster Fubsy in? But, theer, I needn’t
SOCEMESTOT LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 15
arst. Aint them his brekfus’ things agoin’ in? Course
they is; new laid heggs there is, which they’re werry good
at times, and a leetle bit o’ bacon frezzled crisp. Tray
bung, as the Frenchmen says, and now, Mary, my dear,
will you be so good as to give Muster Fubsy ole Bill
Boozler’s compliments, and say he’s sorry to say as that
theer trout has a-come to a huntimely hend at larst.”
The natty one, having delivered her message, is nearly
upset by the anxious Fubsy, who rushes out, spec-
tacles on nose, the Zzmes in one hand, and loosely
arrayed in his dressing-gown. He opens upon William at
once.
“William—William Boozler, you don't mean to say
that you’ve er—er—caught that trout, after all the number
of times I’ve been out with you, and the pounds and
pounds I’ve spent ?”
“Suttenly not,” cries the worthy William, with an air of
mingled grief and astonishment. “ No, sir, suttenly not. But
this blessid mornin’ as ever was, P’se a goin’ down to Bun-
kin’s Ait in the little skiff, to see about the eel barskits, and
I hears a floppin’ and prancin’ about in my old punt—that
one what the Westa, confound her! stoved in—and so I
sculls across softly, thinkin’ it was rats. Soap me never,
marster, J was that knocked-a-cock as I could ha’ drunk
arf-a-pint o’ ole ale quick, just as I could at this heer minnit,
fur theer lay that theer loverlly trout, a nine-pounder ef he
weighs a hounce, wi’ just a kick and no more left in him;
and I takes him in my two hands tenderly as ef I was a
lefting a babby, and ’olds his ’ed up stream. But it worn’t a
mossel ’o use, he was stone gone; and I says to myself, I
does, ‘ Bill, this punt is yourn ’—which it is, cause why, my
own brother’s sister’s husband built her, best pine deal and
oak stretchers, which well it is beknown down at the bridge,
1 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
and at the ferry ; but, ‘ Bill, says I, ‘this trout ain’t yourn,
and for why, cause Muster Fubsy bin a fishin’ wi’ you, Bill,
off and on, a matter of a score o’ times, ole days and arf
uns’—though I never was the man to arst for a ole day’s
pay for a arf un—‘and that theer trout, Bill,’ says I, ‘is
Muster Fubsy’s fish by rights’; and so I brings him
straight up to you, sir, and theer he lays—a beauty as
he is—wi’ spots on him as big as a crown piece, werry
nigh.”
“ But, in the name of fate, William,” cries Fubsy, carefully
putting his spectacles on the bridge of his nose, “how
did the trout get into your punt?”
“ Chucked hisself in, sir—chucked hisself in, which it is
well known they will do arter a bait, or else a leaping out
o’ the water arter a butterfly or what not, and so the pore
creater hadn’t the sense to chuck hisself back again, and
theer he is. Blessed if I ain’t as dry as bones, a-talking so
much.”
“William, you’re a very worthy and honest fellow—a
very worthy fellow indeed, William. There’s a sovereign
for you, and I’m much obliged to you, while Mary will
draw you a jug of ale. Good morning, William. Good
morning.”
The end draws nigh. William at any time during that
day may be discovered at the bar of the “ Angler’s Rest,”
where for the hundredth time, at least, he tells the story of
“that theer trout a-chucking hisself high and dry into the
old punt.” The trout goes to Cooper, and when it comes
home, at the expiration say, of six to twelve months, it
may perhaps bear an inscription to this effect: “ Thames
Trout caught by A. J. Fubsy, spinning. Weight, nine
pounds.”
In my own opinion the abolition of night-lining is the
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 17
sole and only reason for the immense increase in late years
of the stock of trout in the river.
The new by-laws as to snatching and night-lining were
approved by Her Majesty at the Court of Balmoral on the
28th of October, 1879. They are as follows :
“Snatching of fish.—It shall not be lawful for any
person to fish for, or to take, or attempt to take, any fish
by using a wire, or snare, or hooks (baited or unbaited), or
any other engine for the purpose of foul hooking, commonly
called ‘snatching or snaring.’
“Night lines.—It shall not be lawful for any person to lay
night hooks or night lines of any description whatever
between the ‘ City Stone’ at Staines and Kew Bridge ; and
any person laying fixed lines of hooks by night or day
(commonly called night lines), or taking, or attempting to
take, eels or fish of any description by such means, shall be
deemed as committing a breach of this by-law.”
The Thames Angling Preservation Society continues its
jurisdiction as far as Staines, and at that point the first of
the local associations for the preservation of the river
commences its work. This is the Windsor and Eton
Society, which is supposed to look after something like
about twelve miles of water extending from Staines Bridge
to Monkey Island. Throughout that stretch, some of the
finest water in the Thames is to be found, and if this
society were more thoroughly supported by the public, it is
probable that no similar length of water would be more
splendidly productive. It is the fashion, however, to rail at
the promoters and managers of any incorporated body
whose objects may not appear to be carried out well and
to the point. It escapes probably the notice of those who
gibe and speak harshly about the work done by the
Windsor and Eton, that it is simply impossible for the
Cc
18 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
Society to keep going unless the angling public provides
the sinews of war. This section of the public will know in
an instant whether they have done so or not.
It is at once an injustice and a wrong to brand a body of
men with shortcomings in their work, when the very work
itself is dependent upon the help which a local association
like the Windsor and Eton receives from the public who
fish its waters. I venture to think that few, if any, of the
hundreds of men who yearly go to Windsor and _ its
charming environs from London, sometimes taking good
bags of fish home with them, ever subscribe, or ever did
subscribe, one single penny to its funds.
The Maidenhead, Cookham, and Bray Angling Society,
whose headquarters are at Skindle’s Hotel, and whose
excellent secretary is Mr. W. G. Day, takes up the work of
preservation at Monkey Island, continuing their operations
over an important section of the Thames. There is pro-
bably none other of the local associations which has done
such wonderfully good work. But then the reason is not
far to seek ; they are not only supported fairly by the local
gentry and inhabitants, many of whom are themselves keen
lovers of angling, but also by a considerable number of
London anglers, principally members of the leading clubs.
That just makes all the difference, and although I do not
pretend to say that the Windsor and Eton has not done all
in its power with the funds which it had at command, the
Maidenhead and Cookham sets such a brilliant example, by
stocking their waters with splendid Wycombe trout, and
that too in the most liberal manner, that their example
possibly commanded the support they have unquestionably
received to a certain extent from a small section of the
angling public.
I say a small section advisedly, because where a society,
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 19
like that under notice, proves that it is doing a valuable
and extensive work, it ought to be recognised, in no matter
how small a degree, by every angler who fishes its waters.
Now is this the case, or anything approaching to it? I
say no—emphatically no. I have seen scores and hundreds
of men, during the many years which I have fished the
Thames, pursuing their sport on the Maidenhead waters,
and but very few of them ever contribute a single farthing.
If this state of things were confined solely to the coarse
fish of this or any other section of the river, it would not
possibly matter so much—but then it is not. Trout fishers
come and take fish—not confining themselves in some
instances very strictly to size—and those very trout
represent so much hard cash deducted from the Society’s
income. Still the Society goes on its way quietly, and
year by year does good and worthy work. They are
assisted by an excellent body of keepers, under the
command of Harry Wilder, who is himself a rare good
fisherman, and year after year show an admirable return
for their labours.
| In justice to Harry Wilder and Captain A Styan, one of
the early founders of this Association, it should be added
that they were really the first to start the Society. Wilder
informs me that he originated the idea of stocking this
part of the river with Wycombe trout, and that he and
Captain Styan raised a subscription for that purpose. Such
a subscription was raised, and in the year before the Associa-
tion was really started over 50 brace of fine Wycombe trout
were turned into the river opposite the Ray Mead Hotel.
It may now be interesting to trace the absolute history
of the Society itself.
The Maidenhead, Cookham and Bray Thames Angling
Association was started so recently as 1874. The objects
C2
20 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
in view were, generally speaking, to preserve and improve
the fishing from the Shrubbery to Monkey Island, that
is to say, the water between the Great Marlow and the
Windsor and Eton Districts.
Prior to their establishment poaching and illegai fishing
were rampant in this district ; and I am informed, by those
who speak from personal knowledge, that netting on the
meadows adjacent to the river during flood time was carried
on wholesale, and large quantities of all kinds of river
fish, the greater part undersized, were captured and sold.
Wiring fish in the ditches, where they had retreated for
spawning operations, was also a very common practice.
Ten years ago trout had become, comparatively speak-
ing, a very rare fish in these parts, and a young trout of
greater rarity still, Angling was almost at a standstill,
and anglers were seeking other waters which promised
greater success.
Several gentlemen belonging to London, and to the
locality of Maidenhead, feeling that a great deal could be
effected in the way of improvements at a comparatively
small cost, if a good system were pursued, took the matter
in hand. Support was solicited from the various classes of
the community interested in the results, and it ended in this
Association being formed.
Their first step, after forming a good working committee,
was to make arrangements with the several riparian owners
in the districts, by which the Society obtained the rights
to drag their ditches and prosecute poachers, and I am
pleased to say that they found little difficulty in obtaining
these powers.
The Society then took into its service several of the
fishermen of the district, and at their request the Thames
Conservancy granted deputations for each, by which they
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 21
were empowered to enter boats to search for fish unlawfully
taken, and seize any unlawful net, &c. The Society also
had an understanding with its water-bailiffs, that they were
to net the ditches adjacent to the river immediately after
floods, and that they were to be constantly on the watch
for any infringement of the Thames Conservancy By-laws.
During the nine years which have elapsed since their
establishment, a number of prosecutions have resulted from
the vigilance of their officers, and several convictions have
been obtained. ‘The Society has also, after floods, dragged
the ditches in their district, from whence large quantities of
fish have been returned to the river, The water-bailiffs
have also taken a number of night-lines at different times,
and I feel, I may say without fear of contradiction, that the
Thames Conservancy By-laws are now far more respected
in this district than they ever were before.
With a view to improve the fishing, the Society turned in,
by way of experiment, a large quantity of golden bream,
which were kindly placed at their disposal by the Bedford
Angling Association, but the fish appear to have left this
locality altogether, probably because the water, except in
certain places, was entirely unsuitable to their habits.
From time to time a large quantity of good sized Wycombe
trout have been turned in, running from half to five pounds
in weight. I should mention that this Society wisely recog-
nised from the first that it was worse than useless to turn
in fish below half a pound in weight ; and if one may judge
from the quantity of trout of that breed now taken, and the
numbers of young fish seen in the Maidenhead waters, the
Society has been successful in that branch of their under-
taking, or at any rate so far as the limited means at their
‘disposal would permit.
The difficulty experienced in purchasing trout of the
22 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
right sort and size induced the Society, some time since, to
obtain competent advice as to the practicability of breeding
and rearing them. With this view one of the vice-presidents,
Mr. W. H. Grenfell, of Taplow Court, who has always shown
a lively interest in the success of the Society’s undertaking,
"expressed his willingness to place at their disposal a likely
place for the purpose. In every respect but one it was
pronounced suitable, but it was soon found that the con-
stantly recurring floods would render attempts at breeding
useless, and hence the scheme was not prosecuted farther.
The Great Marlow Thames Angling Association does
capital work, and is thoroughly well officered. The
honorary secretary is Major Simpson Carson, who most
efficiently helps the Society in their efforts for the general
good of the river. Here again a large share of the Society’s
income is laudably spent in the purchase of trout of
excellent size from the Wycombe waters, which are turned
into the Thames at an age, and when they have attained
such a size, as enables them to take care of themselves.
The Reading and District Angling Society comes next, and
in the hands of its worthy and efficient secretary, Mr. Arthur
Butler, of Zinzan Street, Reading, prospers exceedingly.
This Society has made the most strenuous efforts to re-stock
that portion of the river more immediately under their
own control, and I have little doubt that their efforts have
met with the success they deserved. It was only a few
years ago that the fisheries of the Reading district bore a
most unenviable reputation from the extent of netting going
on. To my certain knowledge now there is no section of
the river which is better looked after and where I think less
netting or poaching is prosecuted. Much of this happy state
of things is due to Mr. Butler, who is not only a hard
practical worker, but a man, moreover, who never walks
SOCTETIES OF LONDON AND! THE PROVINCES. 23
about the world with his eyes shut. Such a man is bound
to do good, and Mr. Butler does it without stint.
This flourishing Thames Preservation Society—one of the
most useful and influential on the river—was formed in
December, 1877, at a meeting at the Queen’s Hotel, Reading,
at which upwards of 100 gentlemen of position were present.
The intention at first was to protect and improve the fishing
in the fine stretch of water between Mapledurham and
Sonning—then so denuded of fish that even the poachers
let it alone. Henry John Simonds, Esq., J.P., was appointed
the first president ; Charles Stephens, Esq., J.P., treasurer ;
and Mr. Arthur Butler—the originator of the movement
—honorary secretary, an office he still holds. Mr. Stephens
still acts. as treasurer. It was soon found desirable to ex-
tend the operations of the association both up and down
stream, and its district now reaches from Goring Lock to
Shiplake Lock. The first president resigned in February
1881, and James Simonds, Esq., J.P., who still occupies the
position, was chosen in his stead.
The association has done a really great work for the
public, and all its operations have been attended with
success. Since its formation about 60,000 trout have been
turned in, a large proportion having been reared in a stream
belonging to the association ; and, as a result, trout fishing
has vastly improved. Six years ago the trout were very
“few and far between;” this season at least 150, ranging
from two to nine pounds in weight, have been landed in
the immediate neighbourhood of Reading. Coarse fish
have by no means been neglected. Tens of thousands of
pike, perch, roach, dace, &c., have been recovered from the
ditches after floods, &c., and restored to the river; and
several reservoirs and lakes have from time to time been
netted, by the kind permission of the owners, and great
24 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
numbers of perch, carp, tench, rudd, &c., thus added to the
stock,
Coarse fish culture has this year been undertaken with
surprising success. Two large “Lund” hatching-boxes—
stocked with fine Kennet perch—have been filled with
spawn, all of which hatched out ; and since the perch fry
were liberated, a great quantity of carp spawn has been
hatched.
No less than eleven bailiffs are employed by the com-
mittee, and their work has been so effectual that illegal
practices have been, practically, entirely stamped out. It
is gratifying to be able to state that every prosecution
undertaken by the committee has resulted in a conviction.
Extensive private rights of fishing have lately been
acquired for the members (an annual extra charge of five
shillings being made). From these waters, fish may not be
taken under the following sizes: trout 2lbs., pike 3lbs., tench
2lbs., perch 3lb., barbel 3lbs. carp 3lbs.—a sportsmanlike
standard, which the committee recommend for observance
also in the public fisheries.
The minimum subscription to the association is 10s. 6d. ;
but subscribers of £1 1s. and upwards have the privilege of
cheap railway tickets to 28 fishing stations. There are at
present 117 subscribers (elected by ballot) on the books.
Last year’s income was £109 19s. 7d., and the expenditure
£84 55. 114,
The Henley and District Thames Angling Association
does no doubt excellent service, and certainly not before it
was wanted in that much be-poached district.
The honour of originating this Society belongs to the
late honorary secretary, Charles H. Cook, Esq., whose
bad health unfortunately compelled him to retire. They
preserve the Thames between Temple and Hurley Locks,
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 25
and have turned into the river considerable numbers of
trout. Hardly is this a very satisfactory district, I am
afraid, but certainly the improvement made in the fisheries
of the neighbourhood redounds very much to the credit of
the Association. The president of the Association is the
Right Hon. W. H. Smith, M.P., while the present secretary
is Mr. J. W. Knight.
The Wycombe Angling and Preservation Society is
another body of, shall I say, private conservators, from
whom the Thames itself derives a very large amount of
good. All the splendid trout which have been turned into
the river at Maidenhead, Marlow, and other places, come
from the water under the control of this association, and
the following short particulars embody nearly all that is
necessary to say about a Society whose reputation as trout
preservers is a very great one. It has been in existence
for nearly four years. It originally commenced with
about one hundred members, who paid a low annual fee,
but it was found necessary to gradually reduce their
number and raise the subscriptions. At present it consists
of 30 members who each pay an annual fee of from
three to five guineas. This number also includes six
artisan members at a nominal subscription. The club
preserves a mile and a half of the Wycombe stream,
and possesses a magnificent stock of trout. The president
is the Rt. Hon. Lord Carrington ; honorary secretary and
treasurer, J. Thurlow, Esq.
The last of the Preservation ‘Societies of which I shall
have occasion to speak in connection with the Home
District is the Newbury and District Angling Association.
The following short history of its position at the present
time is full of interest to anglers frequenting the lovely
Kennet Valley, over which this Association has jurisdiction.
26 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
This very young association was started on the 18th of
June, 1878, with the object of protecting the rivers in and
about Newbury—putting a stop to poaching which had
been going on for years, and also the practice of taking
fish out of season, which was very rife.
After considerable trouble on the part of its chairman
and committee it succeeded in obtaining leave to exercise
its protective right over the whole of the waters under the
control of the Mayor and Corporation of Newbury, also more
than seven miles of the Kennet and Avon Canal; and it also
rents on a long lease about one mile of the river Lambourne,
abounding with trout, and on which stream only the fly ts
allowed.
The streams over which this association exercises con-
trol are the Kennet and many of its back streams, the
Lambourne, and the Kennet and Avon Canal.
The fish found in these streams are all very fine, and
comprise trout, pike, perch, chub, barbel, roach, dace, carp,
tench, eels, gudgeon and—last, but by no means least—very
famous crayfish. Indeed, not many miles up the stream
there is an old saying concerning them, running as follows—
“ Hungerford crayfish,
Catch me if ye can ;
There’s no such crawlers,
In the o-ce-an.”
In a short sketch like this it is impossible to do more
than glance at one or two of the notable fish for which this
neighbourhood is celebrated.
Its trout are beaten zowhere, having been taken up to
20 Ibs. While Pope pleasantly says of its eels—
“The Kennet swift,
For silver eels renowned.”
And travellers of a nearly bygone age in the old
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 27
coaching days could tell of the great gastronomic attractions
of the Kennet eel,
“ At the house below the hill.”
There it was that, in the days when the “Pelican” did
flourish, seventy coaches in the day and night passed
through the good old town.
But I must pass to the present time and the working
of the Association. Well, from small beginnings it has
grown so much that at the meeting previous to the next
angling season this question will have to come to the fore
—either the Committee must raise the price of the tickets
or place a restriction upon the number of the members.
It may be as well to add that no profit whatever is
made out of the Association, as it is only in existence to
preserve the water and improve sport, and all its Committee
of Management wish to see is enough to pay the outgoing
expenses. They are of necessity large, when consideration
is given to keeping up a stock of fish, by turning in hun-
dreds at the proper season, the pay of the keepers all the
year, and the constant supervision that is required.
Many fine specimens of Kennet fish may be seen in the
Western Quadrant of the Fisheries Exhibition now open
at South Kensington.
It only remains to add that all particulars may be
obtained of the worthy chairman of the Association, Mr,
John Packer, 87 Northbrook Street, Newbury, who will
forward rules and all needed information upon application,
and from whom a/one tickets can be had.
There is yet another Society doing good work upon the
Thames, called the Oxford Angling Association, but I
regret that I received no particulars as to its constitution
until too late for insertion in this book.
Finding it to be a matter of exceeding difficulty to
28 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
obtain reliable information as to the origin and growth
of the various preservation societies scattered about the
country, I was compelled to fall back, either upon the
horns of a dilemma, or upon the charity of my very good
friend, Mr. R. B. Marston, the editor of the /zshery Gazette
who has very kindly placed at my disposal “ The British
Fisheries Directory,” a valuable little book of reference,
dedicated to Mr. Birkbeck, the Chairman of the Executive
Committee of the International Exhibition. From that
little volume I extract much of the following information
with regard to the London and Provincial Preservation and
Angling Societies of this country.
METROPOLITAN AND DISTRICT ANGLING CLUBS AND
FISHERY ASSOCIATIONS.
The Fisheries Preservation Association, 22 Lower Seymour Street,
Portman Square, London.
The National Fish Culture Association of Great Britain and
Ireland, Royal Courts Chambers, 2 Chancery Lane.
Thames Angling Preservation Association, Thomas Spreckley,
president; W. H. Brougham, secretary. Office, 7 Ironmonger
Hane: vee
Thames Rights Defence Association, Francis Francis, chairman ;
J. M. R. Francis, hon. sec. Office, 11 Old Jewry Chambers, E.C.
United London Angling Associations Fisheries Society, Star and
Garter, St. Martin’s Lane, Charing Cross, W.C.
West Central Association of London and Provincial Angling
Societies, P. Geen, Preszdent; T. Hoole, hom. sec. Club-House—7he
Portman Arms, Great Quebec Street.
LONDON CLUBS.
Albert: = ; 5 . The Crown Coffee House, Coronet Street,
Old Street,
Alliance A , . Clerkenwell Tavern, Farringdon Rd., E.C.
Alexandra. : . Crown and Anchor, Cheshire St., Bethnal
Green.
’
SOC8IETTES Of LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 29
Amicable Brothers .
Amicable Waltonians
Angler’s Pride
Acton Piscatorial Society
Albert Edward
Anchor and Hope
Act on the Square .
Admiral Brothers
Acorn
Acme
Bostonian
Battersea Friendly .
Bloomsbury Brothers
Bermondsey Brothers
Brothers Well Met .
Beresford
Burdett . é
Bridgewater Brothers
Brunswick
Brentford
Buckland
Barbican ,
Battersea Piscatorials
Cadogan
City of London
Cavendish
Clerkenwell Amateurs
‘ Convivial
Carlisle .
Clapham Junction
Bald Faced Stag, Worship St., Finsbury.
Horse and Groom, St. John’s Street,
Clerkenwell.
Five Bells, Bermondsey Square, S.E.
George and Dragon, High.St., Acton, W.
Tile Kiln, Tullerie Street, Hackney Road.
William the Fourth, Canal Bridge, Old
Kent Road.
The Ferry Boat, Tottenham.
Admiral Hotel, Francis Street, Woolwich.
Duke of York, Gloucester St., Clerkenwell.
Weaver’s Arms, Drysdale Street, Kings-
land Road.
Dalby Tavern, Prince of Wales Road,
Kentish Town.
Queen’s Hotel, Queen’s Road, Battersea.
Rose and Crown, Broad St., Bloomsbury.
Alscot Arms, Alscot Road, Grange Road,
Bermondsey.
Berkeley Castle, Rahere St., Goswell Rd.
Grove House Tavern, Camberwell Grove.
Joiners’ Arms, 118 Hackney Road.
Three Tuns, Bridgewater Gardens, Bar-
bican.
Brunswick Arms, Stamford St., Black-
friars.
Angel Inn, Brentford End, Brentford.
Middlesex Arms, Clerkenwell Green.
White Bear, St. John Street, Clerkenwell.
Queen’s Head, York Road, Battersea.
Prince of Wales, Exeter Street, Sloane
Street oa,
Codger’s Hall, Bride Lane, Fleet Street.
Duke of York, Wenlock Street, Hoxton.
George and Dragon, St. John Street Road.
Bull and Bell, Ropemakers’ Street, Moor-
helds; HC
Hall of Science Club and Institute, Old
Street pias GC
Lord Ranelagh, Verona Street, Clapham
Junction.
30 ZTHE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
Canonbury
Cambridge Friendly
Cobden . . , :
Clerkenwell Piscatorials
Crescent
Critchfield
Crown
Crown Piscatorials .
Dalston .
De Beauvoir .
Duke of Cornwail
Duke of Norfolk
Ealing Dean .
Excelsior
Excelsior
Eustonian ‘ ?
Edmonton and Tottenham
Friendly Anglers
Foxley :
Golden Tench.
Golden Barbel
Good Intent
Grafton .
Grange . A A :
Great Northern Brothers
Globe
Gresham :
Hammersmith Club
Hammersmith United
Hearts of Oak
Monmouth Arms, Haberdasher Street,
Hoxton.
Rent Day, Cambridge Street, Hyde Park
Square.
Cobden Club, Landseer Terrace, West-
bourne Park.
Horse Shoe, Clerkenwell Close.
Giraffe
Kennington Park Road.
Myddleton Arms, Queen’s Rd., Dalston.
Crown and Sceptre, Friendly St., Dept-
ford.
Crown Tavern, Clerkenwell Green.
Hope, Holles Street, Dalston.
Lord Raglan, Southgate Road, Islington.
Duke of Cornwall,
Haverstock Hill.
Ledbury Arms, Ledbury Road, Bayswater.
Green Man, Ealing Dean, W.
The Hope, Bird Street, Kennington.
Tavern, Newington Crescent,
Lissmore Circus,
Palmerston, Well Street, Hackney.
King’s Head, Swinton St., Gray’s Inn Rd.
Three Horse Shoes, Silver St., Edmonton.
Albion Tavern, Albion St., Hyde Park.
Foxley Arms, Elliot Road, Brixton.
Somers Arms, Ossulton St., Euston Rd.
York Minster, Foley Street, Portland Rd.
Crown Inn, Church Street, Shoreditch.
King’s Arms, Strutton Ground, Wesmins-
ter:
Grange Club and Institute, Bermondsey,
=o, Be
Robin Hood, Southampton Street, Penton-
ville,
Bank of Friendship, Blackstock Road,
Highbury Vale.
Mason’s Hall Tavern, Basinghall St., E.C.
Grove House, Hammersmith Broadway.
Builders’ Arms, Bridge Road, Hammer-
smith.
Dolphin, Church Street, Shoreditch.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. : 31
Highbury
Hoxton Brothers
Hampstead
Isledon Piscatorials
Izaak Walton .
Jovial
Junior Piscatorial
Jolly Piscatorials
Kentish Perseverance
Kenningtonian
Knights of Knightsbridge
.
King’s Cross United
Kingfishers
Kentish Brothers
L. & S. W. Railway
Larkhall
Limehouse Brothers
Little Independent .
Metropolitan .
Marylebone
Nautilus
Norfolk .
North Londen
North Eastern
North Western
New Globe
Never Frets
Plimsoll Arms, St. Thomas’s Road, Fins-
bury Park.
Cherry Tree, Kingsland Road, Shoreditch.
Cock and Crown, High Street, Hamp-
stead.
Crown and Anchor, Cross St., Islington.
Old King John’s Head, Mansfield Street,
Kingsland Road.
Jolly Anglers, Whitecross Row, Richmond,
Surrey.
Duke of Cornwall, South Island Place,
Clapham Road.
Sugar Loaf, Great Queen Street, W.C.
Corner Pin, Cold Bath, Greenwich.
The Clayton Arms, Kennington Oval.
Grove Tavern, Grove Place, Brompton
Road, S.W.
Prince Albert, Wharfdale Road, King’s
Cross.
Oliver Arms, Westbourne Terrace, Har-
row Road.
George and Dragon, Blackheath Hill.
Brunswick House, Nine Elms.
The Larkhall, Larkhall Lane, Clapham.
Dunlep Lodge, 70 Samuel St., Limehouse.
Russell Arms, Bedford Street, Ampthill
Square.
The Rose, Old Bailey.
Prince Albert, Sherbourne Street, Bland-
ford Square, W.
British Lion, Central Street, St. Luke’s.
Norfolk Arms, Burwood Place, Edgware
Road.
Prince Albert, Hollingsworth St., Hollo-
way.
Shepherd and Flock, Little Bell Alley,
Moorfields.
Lord Southampton, Southampton Road,
Haverstock Hill.
Albion, Bridge Road, Stratford.
Crown and Shuttle, High St., Shoreditch.
32 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
Nelson
Odds and Evens
Original Clerkenwell
Original Alexandra .
Peckham Perseverance
Pictorial.
Penge
‘Phoenix .
Prince of Wales
Portsmouth Waltonian
Peckham Brothers .
Princess of Wales
Perseverance .
Pike and Anchor
Queen’s .
Reform .
Royal George .
Richmond Piscatorial
Royal Piscatorial
Rodney .
Second Surrey
South Essex
Sportsman
Suffolk
South Essex
St. John’s
Savoy Brothers
Silver Trout
St. Alban’s
Nelson Working Men’s Club, 90 Dean St.,
Soho.
Albion, East Road, Hoxton, N.
White Hart, Aylesbury St., Clerkenwell.
Duke of Wellington, Three Colt Lane,
Bethnal Green.
Eagle, 118 Trafalgar Road, Camberwell.
King’s Arms, Tottenham Court Road.
Lord Palmerston, Maple Road, Penge.
Tavistock Arms, Wellington St., Oakley
Square.
Victory, Newnham Street, John Street,
Edgware Road.
Golden Fleece, High Street, Landport.
Prince Albert, East Surrey Grove, Peck-
ham.
Prince of Wales, Gt. Barlow St., Man-
chester Square, W.
The Perseverance,
Hackney Road.
Pike and Anchor, Ponder’s End.
Queen’s Arms, Bomore Road, Notting
Hill, W.
Jolly Coopers, Clerkenwell Close.
Hope Tavern, Tottenham St., Tottenham
Court Road.
Station Hotel, Richmond.
Foxley Tavern, Elliott Road, Brixton.
Albion, Rodney Road, Walworth, S.E.
Queen’s Head, Brandon St., Walworth.
The Elms, Leytonstone, E.
Lady Owen Arms, Goswell Road.
Suffolk Arms, Boston St., Hackney Rd.
Victoria Dock Tavern, Canning Town, E.
Cow Cross Street,
Pritchard’s Row,
Three Compasses,
Farringdon Street.
Green Man, St. Martin’s Lane.
Star and Garter Hotel, St. Martin’s Lane,
WG;
Royal George, Great New St., Kenning-
ton Park Road.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 33
Sir Hugh Myddleton
South London.
St. Pancras Club
Stanley Anglers
Star
Stepney .
South Belgravia
Surrey Piscatorial
South Eastern.
Sussex :
Sociable Brothers
Social Brothers
St. James’s and Soho
Stoke Newington
St. John’s Wood
Society of Caxtonians
The Piscatorial
Trafalgar
True Waltonians
Three Pigeons
United Brothers
United Essex .
United Society of Anglers
United Marlboro’ Brothers
Woolwich Piscatorials
West Ham Brothers
Woolwich Invicta
Waltonians :
Walton and Cotton .
Walworth Waltonians
Empress of Russia, St. John Street Road,
Clerkenwell.
George and Dragon, 235 Camberwell Rd.
2 Crescent Place, Burton Crescent.
The Lord Stanley, Camden Park Road
Camden Town.
King’s Arms, Charles Street, City Road.
Beehive, Rhodeswell Road, Stepney.
Telegraph, Regency Street, S.W.
St. Paul’s Tavern, Westmoreland Road
Sake
Prince Arthur, Stamford Street, S.E.
Sussex Arms, Grove Road, Holloway.
Princess, 237 Cambridge Rd., Mile-End. *
Prince Regent, Dulwich Rd., Herne Hill.
39 Gerrard Street, Soho, W.
Myddleton Arms, Mansfield St., Kings-
land Road.
Queen’s Arms, Lower William Street, St.
John’s Wood.
Falcon Tavern, Gough Square, E.C.
Ashley’s Hotel, Henrietta Street, Covent
Garden.
Star and Garter, Green Street, Leicester
Square.
White Horse, 80 Liverpool Rd., Islington.
Three Pigeons, Lower Richmond Road,
S: We
Druid’s Head Tavern, Broadway, Dept-
ford.
Dorset Arms, Leyton Rd., Stratford New
Town.
Duke of Wellington, Shoreditch.
Hercules’ Pillars, 7 Greek Street, Soho.
Cricketer’s Arms, Sand Street, Woolwich.
Queen’s Head, West Ham Lane, E.
Golden Marine, Francis St., Woolwich.
Jew’s Harp, Redhill St., Regent’s Park.
Crown and Woolpack, St. John’s Street,
Clerkenwell.
St. Paul’s, Westmoreland Rd., Walworth.
D
34. THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
West Central . : . Cross Keys, Theobald’s Road, High
Holborn.
Woolwich Brothers . . Prince Regent, King Street, Woolwich.
Westbourne Park . . Pelican, All Saints’ Road, Westbourne
Park, W.
Walthamstow . Z . Common Gate, Markhouse Road, Wal-
thamstow.
West London . : . Windsor Castle, King St., Hammersmith.
Watford . : : . Leathersellers’ Arms, Watford, Herts.
Wellington. i . Prince Regent, Beresford St., Walworth.
ENGLAND.
BEDFORDSHIRE.
Bedford Angling Society, Bedford.
Blunham Angling Association—C. Forge, 11 and 12 Addle Street,
Wood Street, secretary.
BERKSHIRE.
Maidenhead, Cookham, and Bray Thames Angling Association—:
W. G. Day, secretary. Club-House—Skindle’s Hotel,
Newbury and District Angling Association—J. Smith, 62 North-
brook Street, Newbury, secretary.
Reading and District Angling Association—Arthur C. Butler, hoz.
sec. Club-House—Great Western Hotel, Reading.
Windsor and Eton Angling Club.) Club-House—foyal Oak Hotel,
Windsor.
Windsor and Eton Angling Preservation Association—Rev. E.
James, Eton, secretary.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
Great Marlow Thames Angling Association—Major Simpson Car-
son, Great Marlow, hoz. secretary.
High Wycombe Angling Association, High Wycombe.
Marlow Angling Association—A. Maskell, Great Marlow, secretary.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Cambridge and Ely Angling Society—W. Purchas, secretary. Club-
House—Lzon Hotel, Cambridge.
CHESHIRE.
No. 1 Crewe Angling Society—John Dickens, secretary. Club-
House—Dog and Partridge Inn, High Street, Crewe.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 35
CUMBERLAND.
Carlisle Angling Association—J. B. Slater, Carlisle, secretary.
DERBYSHIRE.
Aquarium Angling Society—T. Winfield, secre¢ary. Club-House—
The Three Crowns, Bridge Street, Derby.
Burton-on-Trent Angling Association—Sir M. A. Bass, Bart., M.P.,
president; John C. Perfect, hon. sec. Club-House—J/idland Hotel,
Burton-on-Trent.
Castle Fields Angling Club, Messrs. Beden’s Factory, London St.,
Derby—M. Bland, secretary.
Chatsworth Angling Club, Chatsworth.
Chesterfield Angling Association—G. R. Hornstock, 26 Durrant
Road, Chesterfield, secretary.
Excelsior Angling Club—J. Hibbert, secretary. Club-House—
Lamb Inn, Park Street, Derby.
Mazeppa Angling Club, Traffic Street, Derby—F. Bond, secretary.
Melancthon’s Head Angling Club, Park Street, Derby—W. Peet,
secretary.
Pride of Derby Angling Club—W. Tunnicliff, secretary. Club-
House, Old English Gentleman, Normanton Road, Derby.
Red Lion Angling Association, Bridge Street, Derby—Joseph Selvey ,
secretary.
DEVONSHIRE.
Avon and Erme Fishery Association, Plymouth.
Culm Fishery Association—C. J. Upcott, Shortlands, Cullompton,
secretary.
Exe Landowners’ Salmon Fishing Association—Mr. Whippell,
Rudway, Silverton, secretary.
Exe Occupiers’ Trouting Association—W. C. James, Thorverton,
secretary.
Lower Exe United Fishing Association, Exeter.
Tiverton Angling Association, Tiverton.
Upper Culm Fishery Association, Exeter.
Upper Exe Angling Society, Exeter.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Avon and Tributaries Angling Association—E. B. Villiers, 26 Bath
Street, Bristol, ov. secretary.
Bristol Golden Carp Angling Association—Lewis Wride, Digby
House, Barton Hill, Bristol, secretary.
D 2
36 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
Bristol United Anglers’ Association—R. D. Frost, 48 Victoria St.,
Bristol, secretary.
Cheltenham Angling Society—W. H. Davis, 7 Priory Terrace,
Cheltenham, secretary.
City of Bristol Angling Association—H. Lewis, Morton House,
Barton Hill, Bristol, secretary.
HAMPSHIRE.
Portsmouth Waltonian Society—F. Tranter, secretary. Club-House
—Golden Fleece, Commercial Road, Portsea.
Stockbridge Angling Club, Stockbridge.
Titchfield Angling Club—E. Goble, solicitor, Titchfield, secre¢ary.
HEREFORDSHIRE.
Bodenham Angling Club, Bodenham.
Leominster Angling Club—V. W. Holmes, National Provincial Bank,
Leominster, secretary.
HERTFORDSHIRE.
Harefield Valley Fishery, Rickmansworth.
Watfield Piscatorial Society—H. A. Vincent, hoz. sec. Club-
House—7Z%e Leathersellers Arms, Watford.
KENT.
Maidstone Angling and Medway Preservation Society—David Pine,
Maidstone, on. secretary.
Stour Fishery Association—Club House—fordwich Arms.
Tonbridge Angling Association—Edwin Hollomby, secretary. Club-
House—Bull Hotel, High Street, Tonbridge.
LANCASHIRE.
City of Liverpool Angling Association, 19 West Derby Road,
Liverpool.
Liverpool Angling Association—Richard Woolfall, hoz. sec. Club-
House—Strawberry Hotel, West Derby Road, Liverpool.
Liverpool Central Angling Association, 181 Dale Street.
Manchester Anglers’ Association—Abel Heywood, jun., Zon. sec.
Manchester and District Anglers’ Association—J. Procter, president ;
Edwin Hicks, 6 Belmont Street, Eggington Street, Rochdale Road,
secretary. The Association comprises sixty-six different Clubs.
Stalybridge Anlging Society—J. B. Udale, secretary. Club-House
—The Q. Inn, Stalybridge.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 37
Stamford and Warrington Angling Club. Club House—Guzde Post
Tavern, Stalybridge.
Wigan and District Amalgamated Anglers’ Association—Levi Booth,
president, John Stones, secretary. This Association consists of twenty-
six different Clubs.
LEICESTERSHIRE.
Leicester Jolly Anglers’ Club. Club-House—7he Earl of Leicester,
Lnn, Infirmary Square, Leicester.
North Britons’ Angling Association. Club-house—7he York Castle,
Northgate Street, Leicester.
LINCOLNSHIRE.
Boston Angling Association—Mr.*Day, Boston, secretary.
Great Grimsby Angling Association. Club-House—JZasous’? Arms
fTotel, Great Grimsby.
Market Deeping Angling Association—S. B. Sharpe, Market
Deeping, hon. secretary.
MONMOUTHSHIRE.
Abergavenny Fishing Association —C. J. Daniel, Cross St.,
Abergavenny, ¢reasurer.
Usk Fishery Association—Charles R. Lyne, Tredegar Place,
Newport, secretary.
NORFOLK.
Bure Preservation Society—C. J. Greene, London St., Norwich,
secretary.
East Anglian Piscatorial Society—R. Palmer, Great Eastern Wine
Vaults, Norwich, secretary.
Great Yarmouth Piscatorial Society—James Lark, St. George’s
Tavern, 162 King St., Great Yarmouth, secretary.
King’s Lynn Angling Association—Frederick Ludby, freszdent ;
H. Bradfield, hom. secretary.
Norwich Angling Club—R. Moll, hoz, sec. Club-House—Wadlnut
Tree Shades, Old Post-Office Yard, Norwich.
Norwich Central Fishing Club. Club-House—O/d Oak Shades,
Lower Goat Lane, Norwich.
Norwich Champion Angling Club—G. Daniels, preszdent.
Norwich Piscatorial Society—Mr. Capon, secretary. Club-House—
Walnut Tree Shades, Old Post-Office Yard, Norwich.
Wensum Preservation Association—E. H. Horsley, Fakenham,
hon. secretary.
38 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
Yare Preservation and Anglers’ Society—C. J. Greene, London St.,
Norwich, secretary.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.
Northampton Working Men’s Angling Club. Club-House—Bridge
Street, Northampton.
Wellingborough and Higham Ferrers Angling Club—E. Brummitt,
Wellingborough, secretary.
2 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.
Lenton Anglers’ Association—George Tilley, Zoz. sec. Club-House
—Black’s Head Inn, Lenton, Nottingham.
Newark Piscatorial Society. Club-House—Horse and Gears Inn,
Portland St., Newark.
Nottingham and Notts Anglers’ Preservation Association—Mr.
Clarke, secretary. Club-House—7he Minstrel Tavern, Market St.,
Nottingham.
Wellington Angling Association—Club-house—Wellington Hote/,
Station St., Nottingham.
OXFORDSHIRE.
Henley and District Thames Angling Association—Mr. Cooke,
Henley, secretary.
Oxford Angling Society. Club-house— The Pheasant Inn, St. Giles,
Oxford.
Oxford Thames Angling Preservation Society—W. T. Mayo, 13
Cornmarket Street, Oxford, oz. secretary.
RUTLANDSHIRE.
Oakham Angling Society, Oakham.
SHROPSHIRE.
Plowden Fishing Association (River Onny)—A. B. George,
Dodington, Whitchurch, fox. treasurer.
Shrewsbury Severn Angling Society—F. H. Morgan, hon. sec
Club-House—57 Mardol, Shrewsbury.
SOMERSETSHIRE.
Kingswood and District Angling Association, Kingswood.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 39
STAFFORDSHIRE.
Cobridge Angling Society. Club-House—Wedgewood Hotel,
Waterloo Rd., Burslem.
Isaac Walton Angling Club—William Gregory, secretary. Club-
House—Coach and Horses, Stafford St., Longton.
Isaac Walton Angling Club—Frederick Higginson, secretary. Club-
House—Dresden Inn, near Longton.
Longton Excelsior Angling Club—Thomas Morris, secrefary.
Club-House—Crownx and Anchor, Longton.
Stoke-upon-Trent Angling Society—J. Hollins, oz. sec. Club-
House—Pcke Hodel, Copeland Street.
SUFFOLK.
Gipping Angling Preservation Association—George Josselyn,
president ; W.C. 5S. Edgecombe, National Provincial Bank, Ipswich,
hon. secretary.
Norfolk and Suffolk Fish Acclimatisation Society—Edward Birk-
beck, M.P., president; W. Oldham Chambers, Lowestoft, Zon. sec.
SURREY.
Godalming Angling Society—F. Dowse, High Street, hon. sec.
Club-House—Suz Jun, Godalming.
Richmond Piscatorial Society—F. Gaunt, secretary. Club-House—
Station Hotel, Richmond.
SUSSEX.
Brighton Anglers’ Association, Brighton,
Chichester Angling Society—W. Cooke, secretary. Club-House—
Globe Hotel, Chichester.
Ouse Angling Preservation Society—Hector Essex, Hillside, Lewes,
hon. secretary.
Rother Fishery Association—D, N. Olney, Blenheim House,
Robertsbridge, secretary.
WARWICKSHIRE,
Birmingham and Midland Piscatorial Association—James Gregory,
39, Vyse St., Aon. secretary.
WESTMORELAND.
Kent Angling Association—G. Fisher, Kendal, hoz, secretary.
Milnthorpe Angling Society—W. Tattersall, Milnthorpe, secretary.
40. THE'ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
WILTSHIRE.
Bradford-on-Avon Angling Association.
Sarum Angling Club—H. Selby Davison, 40 King St., London, E.C.,
secretary.
WORCESTERSHIRE.
Evesham Angling Club, Evesham.
Isaac Walton Angling Society—Club-House, Plough Inn, Silver St.,
Worcester.
Teme Angling Club—W. Norris, Worcester, secrefary.
YORKSHIRE.
Aire Fishing Club—T. H. Dewhurst, Whin Field, Skipton, secreary.
Burnsall, Appletrewick, and Barden Angling Club—T. J. Critchley,
Brook St., Ilkley, secretary.
Costa Anglers’ Club—J. H. Phillips, 22 Albemarle Crescent, Scar-
borough, secretary.
Derwent Anglers’ Club. Address—Mr. Patrick, gunmaker, Scar-
borough.
Hawes and High Abbotside Angling Association—B. Thompson-
Hawes, secretary.
Knaresborough Star Angling Club. Club-House—C. M’Nichols,
Knaresborough.
Marquis of Granby Angling Society—T, H. Settle, hon. sec. Club-
House—Z7he Marguts of Granby, Leeds.
Middleham Angling Association—J. E. Miller, Middleham, secretary.
Otley Angling Club—Mr. Pratt, Otley, secrefary.
Rockingham Angling Society—E. F. Atkinson, preszdent. Club-
House—TZhe Fox, Leeds.
Ryedale Angling Club, Hovingham.
Sheffield Anglers’ Association—Charles Styring, preszdent ; Messrs.
Baker, Gill, Greaves, Guest, Jenkinson, Leonard, Sheldon, Stuart,
Swinden, Thompson, Unwin, and White, committee ; Thomas Walker,
24 Blue Boy St., Sheffield, secrezary. This Association comprises 232
Clubs in Sheffield and district.
Wilkinson Angling Association, Hull.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 41
ANGLING CLUBS AND FISHING ASSOCIA-
PIONS IN SCOREAND:
ABERDEENSHIRE.
Dee Salmon Fishing Improvement Association—William Milne,
C.A., 147 Union St., secretary.
BERWICKSHIRE.
Berwick Anglers’ Club—Rcbert Weddell, solicitor, Berwick,
secretary.
Coldstream Angling Club—John Tait, High St., Coldstream,
secretary.
Ellen Fishing Club, Duns—The Hon. Edward Marjoribanks,
president; G. Turnbull, 58 Frederick St., Edinburgh, secrefary.
Greenlaw Fishing Club—David Leitch, Greenlaw, secretary.
DUMFRIESSHIRE.
Esk and Liddle Fisheries Association—The Duke of Buccleuch,
K.G., president; Robert M’ George, writer, Langholm, secretary.
EDINBURGSHIRE.
Cockburn Angling Association—George E, Y. Muir, 1 West Cross-
causeway, Edinburgh, secretary.
Edinburgh Angling Club—William Menzies, 18 Picardy Place,
secretary.
Edinburgh Amateur Angling Club—J. Gordon Mason, S.S.C.,
secretary.
Midlothian Angling Club—Joseph A. Cowan, 53 Rose St., secretary.
Penicuik Angling Club—James Foulis, clothier, Penicuik, secretary.
St. Andrew Angling Club—Professor Williams, preszdent,; J. Young
Guthrie, S.S.C., 29 Hanover St., Edinburgh, secrecary.
Walton Angling Club—Professor Williams, presédent,; James Grant
S.S.C., 12 Howard Place, Edinburgh, secretary.
Waverley Angling Club—John M’Dougal, 3 Rutland Place,
Edinburgh, secretary.
426 PTET ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION:
FIFESHIRE.
Dunfermline Angling Club—James Mathewson, Dunfermline,
secretary.
Kirkcaldy Angling Club—Patrick Don Swan of Springfield,
president ; Thomas Johnston, solicitor, Kirkcaldy, secretary.
FORFARSHIRE.
Alyth Angling Club—Major Japp, Ares¢dent ; James D. Murdoch,
Alyth, secretary.
Arbroath Angling Club—David A. Wilson, Kirk Wynd, Arbroath,
secretary.
Brechin Angling Club—-James B. Hodge, 2 Swan St., Brechin,
secretary.
Canmore (Forfar) Angling Club—David Maxwell, 16 Watt St.,
Forfar, secretary.
Dundee Angling Club—David Ireland, Calcutta Buildings, Dundee,
secretary.
Dundee West End Angling Club—Alexander Mitchell, Roseangle,
Dundee, secretary.
Dundee Walton Club—W. Mudie, 3 Athole Terrace, Maryfield,
Dundee, secrezary.
Forfar Angling Club—James Dall, joiner, Market Place, Forfar, sec.
Strathmore (Forfar) Angling Club—James Paton, 10 Arbroath Road,
Forfar, secretary. x
HADDINGTONSHIRE.
East Linton Angling Club—The Rev. Thomas Stirling Marjoribanks,
Prestonkirk, Jres¢dent,; George Smellie, East Linton, secretary.
Haddington Fishing Club—Captain Houston of Clerkington, presz-
dent; George Angus, 35 Court St., Haddington, secre/ary.
KINROSS-SHIRE.
Kinross-shire Fishing Club—Thomas Steedman, Clydesdale Bank,
Kinross, secrelary.
Loch Leven Angling Association (Limited)—Sir J. R. Gibson-Mait-
land, Bart. of Craigend, prestdent,; George Bogie, solicitor, Kinross,
secretary.
LANARKSHIRE.
Abington Angling Club-—David Oswald, teacher, Abington, sec.
Buckland Angling Club—William Cross, 41 York St., Glasgow,
secretary.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 43
Coatbridge Angling Club—David Girdwood, Langloan, Coatbridge,
secretary.
Echaig Angling Club—John Clark, 17 Royal Exchange Square,
Glasgow, secretary.
Glasgow Dodgers.
Glasgow Junior Angling Club.
Lanark Amateur Angling Association—David Gourlay, Bannatyne
Street, Lanark, secrefary.
Lanarkshire United Anglers’ Protective Association—Crawford
Brown, 110 Garthland Drive, Glasgow, secretary. (Nine associated
Clubs.)
Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association—Alfred Brown,
163 West George Street, Glasgow, secretary.
Motherwell Star Angling Club—James Brown, Braidhurst Colliery,
Motherwell, secrezary.
Stonehouse Angling Club—A. Hamilton, Stonehouse, secretary.
St. Mungo Angling Club—W. Craig Ramsay, writer, Glasgow,
secretary.
Trout Preservation Association—David B. Macgregor, 51 West
Regent Street, Glasgow, secretary.
West of Scotland Angling Club—David B. Macgregor, 51 West
Regent Street, Glasgow, secretary.
Western Angling Club—John Wilson, 59 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Secretary. .
LINLITHGOWSHIRE.
Armadale Angling Club—Robert Kerr, South Street, Armadale,
secretary.
Avon Conservancy Association—W. Horn Henderson, Linlithgow,
secretary.
Bathgate Angling Club—Robert Bryce, Bridgend, Bathgate, sec.
‘ PEEBLESHIRE.
Peebles Vigilance Trout Protection Association—Charles Tennant,
M.P., The Glen, prestdent ; James Anderson, Peebles, secre/ary.
Peebles Angling Association—James Wolfe Murray of Cringletie,
president ; Alexander Pairman, grocer, Peebles, secretary.
St. Ronan’s Angling Club—James Cossar, Innerleithen, secretary.
PERTHSHIRE.
Aberfeldy Club—James Forbes, Chapel Street, Aberfeldy, secretary.
Aberfoyle Angling Club,
44. THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
Blairgowrie Angling Club.
Perth Anglers’ Club—P. D. Malloch, 209 High Street, Perth,
secretary.
Perthshire Fishing Club— Robert Keay, City Chambers, Perth, sec.
ROXBURGHSHIRE.
Kelso Angling Association—Sir G. H. S. Douglas, Bart., of Spring-
wood Park, Arestdent; Archibald Steel, Bridge Street, Kelso, secretary.
Upper Teviotdale Fisheries Association—The Duke of Buccleuch,
K.G., president ; Walter Haddon, Royal Bank of Scotland, Hawick,
secretary.
SELKIRKSHIRE.
Caddonfoot Fishings—H. W. Cornillon, S.S.C., 139 George Street,
Edinburgh, secretary.
Gala Angling Association—Robert Hall, 131 High Street, Galashiels,
secretary.
Selkirk Angling Association—John Anderson, Elm Row, Selkirk,
secretary.
STIRLINGSHIRE.
Bonnybridge Angling Club—Alexander Mitchell, Greenbank Cottage,
Bonnybridge, secretary.
Callander Angling Club—D. Melrose, Callander, secretary.
Denny and Dudinace Angling Club—Robert Shearer, Well Strand,
Denny, secretary.
Dollar Angling Club.
Dollar and Devondale Angling Club—Peter Cousins, Dollar, sec.
Doune Angling Club—W. H. Hogg, Lanrick Castle, Doune, sec.
East Stirlingshire Association of Anglers—John Hogg, writer, Lar-
bert, secretary.
Falkirk Angling Club—J. A. Miller, 144 High St., Falkirk, secretary.
Forth Angling Club, Stirling.
Haggs Angling Club—George Mirk, Haggs, by Denny, secretary.
Muiravonside and Polmont Angling Club—A. Campbell, Blackbraes,
Falkirk, secretary.
Sauchie and Whins of Milton Angling Club—Sir J. R. Gibson-Mait-
land, Bart., of Craigend, preszdent, Wm. Reid, Whins of Milton, by
Stirling, secretary.
Skinflatts Angling Club—William Russell, Skinflatts, by Falkirk,
secretary.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 45
Stirling Forth and Teith Angling Association—Alexander Moffat,
Clydesdale Bank, Stirling, secretary.
Stirling Fishing Club—Sir J. R. Gibson-Maitland, Bart., of Craig-
end, president; Robert M‘Luckie, Stirling, secretary.
The following short descriptions of some of the most
prominent Angling and Preservation Societies of the
Provinces are compiled mainly from the information
kindly supplied by the secretaries of each Association.
They are placed as nearly as may be in alphabetical
order, the particulars being summarised as much as pos-
sible, so as to come within the scope of this little book.
AIRE FISHING CLUB.
This club, which has been in existence some ;forty-five
years, was founded and fostered by J. R. Tennant, Esq.,
of Kildwick Hall, Skipton. It consists of twenty
members, paying an entrance fee of ten guineas, and an
annual subscription of the like amount, who preserve the
river from Cargrave to Eastburn Brook. It has also a
number of subscribers, limited to thirty, paying an annual
subscription of thirty shillings, who are allowed to fish the
river from Carleton Stone Bridge to Eastburn Brook. The
Hon. Secretary is T. H. Dewhurst, Esq., of Whinfield,
Skipton, while the President is J. R. Tennant, Esq.
ABERGAVENNY FISHING ASSOCIATION.
This Association was founded in 1860, and has been
carried on from that time with fairly good success. The
number of salmon and trout season tickets is limited to 20,
the holders of such tickets in the previous years having
46 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
the option of renewing them. Five of these tickets are
reserved for persons living twenty miles from the town.
Rule 6 provides: That the price of salmon and trout
season tickets be 40/-, except to persons who, in the
judgment of the committee, are professional fishermen,
who will be charged £10; season tickets for trout,
20/-, to admit the use of fly, worm, minnow, or gentle;
season tickets for trout, if fly only be used, 10/-. Day
tickets for salmon and trout, 5/-, to be restricted to
persons residing 10 miles or more from the town; day
tickets for trout, fly only to be used, 2/6; or 5/- to
admit the use of worm, minnow, or gentle. None of
these tickets are transferable, except as provided for in
Rule 8. Also that tickets for clodding for eels shall
be issued at 5/-; and that tickets for dace fishing during
the trout closed season shall be 5/-; or to include both
eels and dace, 10/-, such fishermen to be subject to
Rule 10, as to time of fishing. Ladies may be allowed to
fish on the payment of half the price of any of these
tickets.
The Association has about two miles of water, most of
which can be fished from both banks. The Marquis of
Abergavenny gives the right of fishing from his property
on the left bank, while the Association rents the right bank
from a local landowner.
THE BIRDSGROVE FLY-FISHING CLUB, MAYFIELD,
ASHBOURNE.
This club, which is limited to twenty members paying
an annual subscription of five pounds each, was formed by
J. H. Villiers, Esq., and fishes four miles of the river Dove
situate about a mile from Ashbourne, and lying between
the Okeover and Norbury Fishing Clubs. The river
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. .47
abounds in trout and grayling, and runs through some
very fine scenery.
The members at present consist of eighteen gentlemen,
thus showing a vacancy for two more rods.
BRADFORD-ON-AVON FISHING ASSOCIATION.
This Association was formed about ten years ago with
the object of putting a stop to the poaching, netting and
pollution which was then going on in the Avon. The
principal supporters of it were W. Stevine, Esq., of
Warleigh, the Rev. George Baker, of Manor House,
Freshford, and Captain Sainsbury, of Bathford. It pre-
serves the river from Holt to Stoke, which distance is
divided into three sections. The charge for a yearly
ticket for the whole of the water is 41, and such ticket is
transferable to any member of the owner’s family. For
half the water the cost of a ticket is I1os., and for one of
the sections it is 2s. 6d. per month. In 1876 the water was
handed over to an association formed at Bristol, of which
Mr. E. W. B. Villiers, of 26 Bath Road, Bristol, is secretary.
BOSTON ANGLING ASSOCIATION
Was established in 1871, having for its object the pre-
vention of the wholesale destruction, by netting, of fish in
the river Witham and its tributary streams, so that good
angling might be provided for the inhabitants of Boston,
its visitors, and the neighbourhood. This object the Asso-
ciation has undoubtedly attained, and is now one of the
largest and best free fisheries for coarse fish in the kingdom,
being bountifully supplied with pike, perch, roach, rudd,
chub, ruffe, bleak, bream (two kinds), tench and eels.
Burbot are occasionally taken. It is 148 miles in extent,
comprising the river Witham, and the drains in the East,
48 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
West and Wildmore Fens, under the jurisdiction of the
River Witham Drainage Commissioners, and under whose
by-laws the B. A? A. have power, and’ act. "At“the
present time it is the principal resort of the Sheffield
anglers, it being nothing uncommon to witness two
thousand in a single day. It is computed by competent
authorities that there were not less than 30,000 visitors
last season. It is regulated by a code of rules twenty
in number, and supported by voluntary contributions. The
officers consist of patrons, a president, vice-presidents,
treasurer, secretary, and a committee of management.
The officers are appointed annually by ballot, on the first
Monday in July. The committee meets monthly on the
second Wednesday in every month, having power to call
special meetings. The quarterly meetings are held the
first Monday in October, January and April.
Besides the above there is the North and South Forty-
foot drains, about forty miles in extent, under the juris-
diction and management of the Black Sluice Drainage
Commissioners. The latter drain is large and deep, with
excellent water, and though it has only been preserved
three seasons it abounds with most kinds of the fish
previously mentioned, but is particularly noted for its
pike and perch. There is a small annual fee of 2s. 6d.
charged by the Commissioners on these waters.
BRISTOL GOLDEN CARP ANGLING ASSOCIATION.
This Association was founded in September 1879, and is
limited to 200 members. The subscription for the first
year is 5s., and 2s. 6d. per annum afterwards. General
meetings are held the last Monday in each quarter, and
committee meetings last Monday in each month.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 49
Secretary, Lewis C. Wride, Digby House, Barton Hill,
Bristol.
CARLISLE ANGLING ASSOCIATION.
This Association was formed in 1852 to preserve the
River Eden and its tributaries. Up to that time a great
amount of poaching had existed, there being no regular
watchers on the river. In the first year of its existence the
bailiffs seized thirty-two illegal nets, in most cases securing
convictions. Up till 1870 they were the only preservers
of the river, then, however, the Eden Board of Conservancy
was formed, having a staff of ten men and an inspector,
whose salaries were paid out of the funds arising from the
sale of net and rod licences. The number of salmon and
trout has steadily increased since the Association was
formed. In 1878 the salmon disease broke out amongst
the fish, and has continued more or less ever since,
showing itself principally in the spring and autumn. The
Eden is one of the finest trout and salmon rivers in Eng-
land, abounding in fishy streams and runs with occasional
rocky pools. There are netting-stations for fifteen miles
from the outlet, but in spite of these salmon and grilse run
up the river in large numbers. The Hon. Sec. is J. Bedwell
Slater, Esq., of Chatsworth Square, Carlisle.
THE CHICHESTER ANGLING SOCIETY.
This Association was established in 1881. Its Patron is
His Grace The Duke of Richmond and Gordon, while the
President is W. W. Baker, Esq., and Vice-President,
Wes Kerwood, fsq-- WMreasurerns Mr AS Purchase; Hon:
Sec MiG ee Salter.) Ghewhead-quarters are at “the
“ Globe Hotel,” Chichester.
This Society numbers over 100 members, and has a fine
E
so YHE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
stretch of water within a short distance of the club-room,
well stocked with carp, bream, perch, roach, and a few
tench and eels. Pike are also fairly represented. The
canal from the basin to the lower lock is over three miles,
and since the weed clearance by the Society in 1882 is in
fine angling condition.
THE COSTA ANGLERS’ CLUB.
The River Costa at Keld Head runs in considerable
volume at the foot of the oolitic limestone moorlands,
lying north of Pickering, in the North Riding of the
County of York. In many respects it is a remarkable
stream. It is of high uniform temperature, rarely below
37 degrees, consequently it never freezes, and in cold
winters the condensation of vapour is a striking phe-
nomenon, rising, as it frequently does, high into the air,
and may be seen for many miles.
This high temperature naturally promotes the rapid
growth of weed, and is one of the annoyances which the
managing committee have to contend with in being com-
pelled to cut and keep it under so very frequently in the
height of the fishing season. On the other hand, this weed
forms a capital shelter for fish, and produces a vast amount
of insect food, on which young fish rapidly increase in size
and condition.
The club is only a youthful institution; nevertheless,
the managers have already a breeding establishment in
operation, and are able to turn out annually from 15,000 to
20,000 fry, consequently the stream is becoming fairly
stocked with both trout and grayling. Those killed last
season, and so far as this one has progressed, have been
of an average weight of 13 to 2 lbs., and a few 3 lbs.
Each member is limited to ten brace a day, not less than
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 5t
10 inches in length, and to 20 days, angling during the
season, for which he pays four guineas subscription and an
entrance fee of five guineas. There are 40 subscribing
members, under the presidency of the Rev. J. R. Hill, of
Thornton Hall, near Pickering, a thorough sportsman and
a county gentleman of the truest Yorkshire type.
The Costa receives the Pickering Beck near Kirby
Misterton, and two or three miles below the united waters
are discharged into the Derwent. J. H. Philips, Esq., of
Scarborough, is the honorary secretary, and it was mainly
through his exertions that the club was re-established some
four years ago.
DERWENT ANGLERS’ CLUB.
This Club preserves a stretch of water extending from
two miles below East and West Ayton, near Scarborough,
through the celebrated Forge Valley, thence past the highly
picturesque village of Hackness, the seat of Lord Derwent,
to Hill’s Green Bridge at the entrance of “ Barnescliffe,” a
wild gorge of surpassing beauty, running up and forming
the eastern side of the lofty “Langdale Rigg,” from the
summit of which there is a magnificent view of a large
expanse of country. On the east the cliffs of the sea coast,
with the baronial castle keep of Scarborough standing out
like a sentinel to guard that ancient borough and queen of
watering places—on the south are the Great Wolds, with
the bold promontories of Filey Brigg and Flamborough
Head forming striking objects, whilst on the.west the eye
stretches away to Malton and the Howardean Hills, with
the Hambleton plateau in the far distance. On the north is
large expanse of moorland lying in the direction of Robin
Hood’s Bay, and the Peak, flanked by the railway from
Pickering to Whitby, emerging from Newton Dale on to
K 2
52, JHE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
the heights above. It is here on high ground, under the
shadow of “ Lilla’s Cross,” that the “ Derwent” takes its
rise ; and, descending in a meandering form, with many a
pretty waterfall, it traverses the monotonous expanse of
moor in a south-easterly course until it meets at the foot
of the upper end of Langdale Pike the “ Luggerhowe”
stream coming from Harwood Dale, and unitedly they
enter the Barnescliffe Valley. From this point to Hill’s
Green Bridge is a nice stretch of stream, full of small
yet toothsome trout, of which Lord Derwent is the
owner, and who liberally grants permission to honest
anglers. That portion of the Derwent which is preserved
by the club is a pleasant fishable stream, with abundance
of trout and a few grayling, though neither of them
are of large size, averaging about three to the pound.
The stream may be briefly described as one of alternate
pool, with here and there gravelly streams, fringed on
both sides with trees and bushes where trout love to hide
and dwell and to watch for their daily ephemeral food.
Through the Forge Valley the stream runs deep and
sluggishly, but many a lusty trout lies there in ambush, only
to be interviewed when there is a wind blowing up or down
the valley. A practical hand then may readily fill his
pannier.
Lord Derwent and Lord Londesborough are the chief
proprietors, and are the liberal patrons of the Club, though
there are other riparian owners, all of whom generously
place their respective waters at the disposal of the members.
The Derwent being at such a convenient distance from
Scarborough and easily accessible by rail, are great facilities
for the members reaching the stream. The Club was
formed upwards of forty years ago, namely in 1839, and,
from its many surroundings, has always been a popular
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 53
one, especially with the gentry residing in Scarborough.
The managers have a breeding establishment at the Forge
Cottages, and for many years past have turned out from
10,000 to 20,000 fry, so that the stream is kept constantly
replenished with an abundant stock of fish, to supply diver-
sion for its many members, who occasionally jostle each other
—as for instance in the Mayfly season, when every one is
anxious for the fray and to secure a basket. If, however,
the angler should fall on an untoward day, when trout
decline conclusions with his “ gentle art,” he has before him
magnificent scenery which will well repay him for his outing,
though he may have to return home with an empty creel.
T. B. Etty, Esq., of Scarborough—a relative of the dis-
tinguished painter—is the acting and obliging honorary
secretary of the Club, which consists of 40 members,
subscribing two guineas each annually and three guineas
entrance.
THE DART DISTRICT FISHERY BOARD
Exercises certain powers of control over a defined district,
the limits of which were settled by a certificate from the
Secretary of State dated 26th of March, 1866, under the
powers conferred by the Salmon Fishery Acts ; and under
the same powers the members of the Board are appointed
by the Magistrates at Quarter Sessions. The Board has
the power to issue licences, without which no person (not
excepting owners of property) can fish. The Chairman is
Jeffrey Michelmore, Esq. of Totnes, while the Hon.
Secretary is Anthony Pike, Esq., of the same place.
DERWENT VALLEY ANGLING ASSOCIATION.
At a public meeting held at the Town Hall, Shotley
Bridge, on Tuesday, March 9th, 1865, to consider the
54 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
propriety of forming an association for the protection of
fish in the River Derwent, the late Thos. Wilson, Esq.,
of Shotley Hall, in the chair, it was resolved :
I. That the above Association be formed for the above
object.
II. That it be governed by a president and a committee
of not less than six members, with secretary and
treasurer.
III. That Mr. Wilson, of Shotley Hall, be president, and
that the provisional committee to carry out the resolutions
of meeting should be composed of the following gentle-
men, viz: Mr. John Armandale, Mr. Thos. Ramsay, Mr.
Geo. Peile, Mr. Thos. Richardson, Mr. (now Dr.) Renton,
the Rev. W. Cundill, Mr. Featherstonehaugh, and Mr.
Thirlwell, Mr. A. Town (Hon. Treasurer), the Rev. F. B.
Thompson, and Mr. Booth (Hon. Sec.).
IV. That such committee be authorised to communicate
with the landed proprietors along the bank of the river,
asking their co-operation, &c., and report to future meeting,
together with proposed rules and regulations for working
of the association.
V. That a subscription list be now opened and _ sub-
scriptions solicited towards funds of the Association.
At a public meeting held on Monday, 30th October, 1865,
the report was presented and rules adopted, while it was
settled that fishing should commence on the 16th of March,
1866, and close on the Ist of October. Tickets Ios. each.
The first subscription amounted to £ 32.
Since March 1879 the tickets to new members have been
5s. to old members 2s. 6d.
From report of annual meeting held in February last I
find that the Society commenced earlier, viz., on March Ist
instead of 16th. Since its formation 6,000 fry (farzo and
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 55
levenensis) have been introduced in the river and tributaries.
(Fishing in the latter is strictly prohibited.)
The subject of introducing grayling is postponed for the
present.
THE EAST ANGLIAN PISCATORIAL SOCIETY.
This Society had its origin in the City of Norwich, and
was founded by Mr. Alfred Palmer, the then proprietor of
the Great Eastern Hotel. It was first started in the year
1870, and up to the present time has had a most successful
career. The society consists of, and is limited to thirty
members, besides several honorary members. Prominent
amongst the latter is the name of Edward Birkbeck, Esq.,
M.P., as also the names of W. H. Grenfel, Esq, M.P.
for Salisbury, and Edward Fanshaw Holley, Esq., of
Gunyah Lodge, Norwich. The above gentlemen have
taken a keen interest in the welfare of the Society.
The members meet once a month for the transaction of
business, special meetings for readings, and “Social Board”
meetings are held at intervals. The society has done
much in prohibiting netting and other unfair fishing both in
the rivers Yare and Bure.
THE EATON FISHING CLUB.
The club preserves about three miles of the rivers Lugg
and Arrow, commencing a mile below the town of
Leominster, Herefordshire. The water which runs through
land belonging principally to the Earl of Meath is well
stocked with both trout and grayling.
This society was originally formed some thirty-five years
since, and is limited to fourteen members. Since then it
has passed through various changes in rules and con-
86 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
stitution, and is now managed by a committee of local
gentlemen.
THE ESK FISHERY ASSOCIATION
Was founded in the year 1866, and consists of the land-
owners consenting to the preservation of their portion of
the stream by the club, and persons who subscribe to the
whole of the club waters. This Association has done good
and important work in breeding salmon, having turned
into the river not less than 100,000 fish. Last season more
salmon were taken with the rod than sea-trout or bull-
trout.
THE GRASSINGTON, THRESHFIELD AND LINTON
ANGLING CLUB
Was commenced in 1855, for the purpose of preserving a
length of about three miles of the river Wharfe near
Grassington and between the Kilnsey and Burnsall angling
waters. The fishing is almost entirely for trout and
grayling. :
The present subscription is 10s. for a season ticket, and
2s. 6d. for a day ticket. The Club is managed by a
committee consisting of a president, secretary, and three
other members of the club. Tickets may be obtained
from the secretary, Mr. William Harker, Grassington, near
Skipton, Yorkshire.
GREAT GRIMSBY ANGLING ASSOCIATION.
This Association was formed a short time back by Mr.
Hollingsworth, “Mason’s Arms Hotel,’ Grimsby. It now
numbers 100 members, and has secured by rental a great
part of the “South Navigation Canal.” The society rents
several fishing streams. The river Ancholme is within
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 57
easy reach of the vicinity of Grimsby, and contains numbers
of bream, roach, perch, pike, &c. It is the property of the
“ Ancholme Commissioners,” who issue a season ticket at
the moderate charge of 55.; it is strictly preserved, and
affords excellent sport. From the docks a stream called
the “Haven” runs for miles through several adjoining
villages, and contains plenty of trout and roach; it is
preserved in some parts by the owners of the land through
which it passes. The docks abound in roach, pike, &c.,
and the fishing is free. The Association is managed by a
president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and a com-
mittee of twelve members, and is in a very flourishing
condition. Their head-quarters are the “Mason’s Arms
Hotel,” Grimsby.
KING’s LYNN ANGLING ASSOCIATION.
This society was started in December 1880—the origi-
nator being H. Bradfield, Esq. It preserves the Gaywood
river, and hires the Middle Level Main Drain, the Hundred
Feet river, Roxham Drain, and the Drain—Downham or
St. John’s Eau—the Walks rivulet, Long Pond, and Lake,
the latter being provided for the fishing of the inhabitants
of the borough free of charge.
The Association rears large numbers of trout fry, part of
which are procured from parent fish in the neighbourhood.
The greater portion of the ova is hatched in the Lynn
Museum—entrance to which is free—and the operation is
one of great attraction to the inhabitants. The young fry is
afterwards transferred to a nursery pond. Last year 15,000
fry were hatched, and this year 20,000. |
The annual subscription is 5s., honorary members 41 Is.
and tos. 6d. The Hon. Sec. is H. Bradfield, Esq., of Gay-
wood Road, Lynn.
58 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
LIVERPOOL ANGLING ASSOCIATION. — Head-quarters,
“Strawberry Hotel,’ West Derby Road, Liverpool.
Some four years ago a number of anglers who were in
the habit of meeting at the above hotel conceived the idea
of forming an angling association, and after some difficulty
succeeded in their endeavour. The number of members at
first was thirteen, but this has now increased to 100, with
about twelve hon. members. They had great difficulty
in obtaining or renting fishing waters, but have now secured
the right of fishing in the reservoir of the Ruabon Water
Company, which is well stocked with trout averaging
half a pound each. About 2000 Lough Neagh trout have
been placed in the brook leading into the reservoir as a
trial, with the intention of placing some 10,000 more there
if this attempt is successful. They have also got permis-
sion from the Parks Commissioners to fish in the Park
lakes. The President is James Wilkinson, Esq., while the
Hon. Sec. is Mr. R. Woolfall, of 27 Troughton Road.
LOWER MONNOW FISHING CLUB.
This Club is limited to twenty-five members, paying an
annual subscription of £5 each, and has the fishing for
about nine miles on the lower Monnow. The trout average
three to the pound; fish of three and four pounds are,
however, frequently caught. There are vacancies for more
members. The Hon. Secretary is R. Wrightson, Esq.,
Newport, Monmouth.
LOWER TEIGN FISHING ASSOCIATION.
This Association was formed in February 1876, after a
public meeting held at Newton Abbot on the 24th of that
month. All the principal landowners on the Teign and its
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 59
tributary the Bovey gave up their fishing rights to the
Society. Since then part of the Bovey has been withdrawn,
and the Association right now extends for about nine miles
up the Teign, and about two miles up the Bovey. ‘Tickets
are issued to the public at 10s. 6d. for the season, 5s. per
month, 2s. 6d. per week, and Is. perday ; a trout licence of
2s. 6d, and a salmon licence of 41 Is., is also imposed by
the board of conservators.
m@he* Secretary is. the Rev. J. Yarde; of Culver House:
Chudleigh, while the Treasurer is Sidney Hacker, Esq., of
Newton Abbot.
THE MARKET DEEPING ANGLING SOCIETY.
The right of fishery in the river Welland at Market
Deeping extends from a point at the end of Mr. Thorpe’s
mill-stream to Kenulph’s Stone, a distance of six miles,
and formerly belonged to the Crown as Lord of the Manor
of East and West Deeping. It was let until 1872 to a
fisherman who netted it at all times and seasons, sparing
nothing. Mr. S. B. Sharpe represented the matter to Mr.
Gore, Commissioner of Her Majesty’s Woods and Forests,
who accordingly discharged the tenant and accepted Mr.
Sharpe, in company with Mr. Holland and Mr. Molecey, of
that place, as tenants. In 1875 the manor was sold, and in
1877 the right of fishery was purchased by a few local
noblemen and gentlemen, consisting of the following :—
Lord Kesteven, Lord Burghley, William Holland, William
Beadzler Deacon, George Linnell, John Thorpe, John Mole-
cey, Twigge Molecey, Edmund Lawlett, and Samuel Bates
Sharpe, Esqs., and an angling society formed which has been
eminently successful. The Welland is a very good breeding
river, running over a gravel bottom, the lower parts running
through low-lying lands which in winter become flooded,
60 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
and form what is called Crowland Wash, a few miles below
Deeping, and there the fish, especially pike, breed in great
numbers. The dace in the higher waters about Deeping
are very fine and rise freely to the fly ; large numbers have
been caught from eight to fourteen ounces. Through the
efforts of the proprietors, aided by the untiring exertions of
the Hon. Sec., Mr. S. B. Sharpe (who is also on the Council
of the National Fish Culture Association), the river Welland
at this portion literally teems with fish. The object of the
Society being “the preservation of fish for legitimate
sport,” and that alone, the rules are extremely liberal to
anglers—the annual subscription of five shillings, for
example, including the head of a family and his young
children.
THE MIDDLEHAM ANGLING ASSOCIATION.
This Society was founded in 1880, and preserves the
fishing on the river Cover (a tributary stream of the Yore).
The water contains trout and grayling, and is rented from
the lord of the manor, J. Wood, Esq. The members at
present number about twenty, and pay an annual subscrip-
tion of £1 Is. with an entrance fee of a like amount.
dhe. President is -S. I. Scrope- Esq, of Danby Halk
Bedale; Secretary and Treasurer, Ji: E. Miller Esq?
Middleham, Bedale.
THE NENE ANGLING CLUB.
This Club was established in 1856, Dr. Webster being
the first President and J. Hensman, Esq., Hon. Secretary.
They preserve from twelve to fourteen miles of the river
Nene. The water contains jack, bream, perch, carp, &c.,
and large bags are frequently made. A bream of 6 lbs.
and a carp of 9? lbs. were lately taken from the water.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 61
The annual subscriptions are £3 3s. for the whole fishery
extent ; from the Paper-mills to Castle Ashby, £1 Is.; and
10s. 6d. for the third fishery, from the Paper Mills to Billing;
there being also an entrance fee of 10s. 6d. for the whole
water, and 5s. for the £1 Is. preserve.
President, the Rev. H. Smyth, Little Houghton; Hon.
Bec, fl. Py lensman, Msq,
NORWICH PISCATORIAL SOCIETY.
This Society was originated by Mr. W. Capon, of Norwich.
It numbers 50 fishing and a large number of honorary
members. The annual subscription is 1os., hon. members
20s. The Club gives a very fine Challenge Cup, to be won
twice before becoming the property of any member.
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. W. G. Capon, Mar-
ket Street, Norwich.
THE NORTHAMPTON WORKING MEN’S ANGLING CLUB
Was formed May 22nd, 1876, and now numbers 80
members ; fishes about $ miles of private water in the Nene.
Annual subscription 8s. 6, hon. members Ios. 6d. The
Society has several prize competitions during the year.
Its head-quarters are at the ‘Half Moon’ Inn, Bridge
Sircet.s sllon, occ: Mr. J. Jamies, 10) Pike ane:
NEWARK AND MUSKHAM FISHERY ASSOCIATION.
This Association was formed 1868, it has about 4} miles of
private water rented from Lord Middleton and H. Manners-
Sutton, Esq. The number of members is about 70, paying
a subscription of 15s. per annum for a single ticket, and
41 1s. for a family ticket. The limits of the fishery are
defined as follows, and include some of the very finest
62 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
lengths on the river Trent. The “Muskham Fishery”
extends on the north bank of the river from the “ Fir
Trees” in Kelham Lane to the fence dividing the parishes
of North and South Muskham, two fields below “Toder’s
Holt ;” and on the south bank, from the fence dividing the
parishes of Kelham and South Muskham, nearly opposite
the aforesaid “Fir Trees,” to the fence dividing the same
parishes opposite the Bottom Lock. The “Dead Water”
and “ Muskham Fleet” are also included in the Fishery.
The Hon. Secretary of the Association is J. Neal, Esq.,
of Mount Schools, Newark-on-Trent.
OTLEY ANGEING ‘CLUB.
The Otley Angling Club was formed in 1876, principally
through the kindness of Ayscough Fawkes, Esq., of
Farnley Hall, who gives to the Club about six miles of
fishing on one side of the river Wharfe. The number
of members is limited to 30, paying an annual subscription
of £3 and an entrance fee of £2. The society hatches
about 26,000 trout fry annually and places them in the
river. The President is Ayscough Fawkes, Esq., while the
Hon. Sec. is R: M. Pratt, Esq., Otley:
THE REDDITCH PISCATORIALS.
The Club was established a short time ago to meet the
requirements of the working-men anglers (who are mostly
engaged in the Redditch hook, &c., manufactories). So far
it has been a decided success. The subscription is Is.,
with 1d. for a book of rules. The Club has been greatly
assisted by several of the manufacturers giving prizes to
be fished for.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 63
President, Mr. George Welch; Secretary, John E. Wilkes,
31 Edward Street, Redditch.
RYEDALE ANGLING CLUB.
The Ryedale Angling Club was formed June Ist., 1846,
and consists of 20 members paying an annual subscription
of £4 4s. and £2 2s. entrance fee. They rent from Lord
Feversham the length of water from Helmsley Bridge to
Newton, a distance along the stream of about 4 miles;
the fishing is restricted to artificial fly and dead minnow.
The river Rye is a good trout and grayling stream, and is
strictly preserved both above and below the Club water.
The Honorary Secretary is Bryan Ed. Cookson, Esq., of
40 Holgate Road, York.
SHREWSBURY AND SEVERN ANGLING SOCIETY.
This Angling Society was started in March, 1882, having
then 70 members, which have increased to I10 at the
present time. The honour of originating it belongs chiefly
to T. H. Morgan, Esq. The annual subscription is 2s. 6d,
Witte issentrance fees hon, members 10s, 6¢. The
Society has promoted an Act of Parliament to do away
with netting in the part of the Severn within the limits of
the borough.
President, James Watson, Esq., of Berwick Hall; Hon.
Sec., T. H. Morgan, Esq., Shrewsbury.
THE SPALDING ANGLING CLUB.
This Club was formed in the year 1864. The fishing
exists inthe Drains belonging to the Deeping Fen Drainage
Trustees and extends over some 25 miles of water, the
Society also has a reach of about four miles of the River Glen.
64 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
Tickets are issued to subscribers at the rate of £1 Is. for
double tickets and Ios. 6d. for single.
The Hon. Secretary is J. G. Calthrop, Esq., of Spalding.
THE STOUR FISHING ASSOCIATION.
This Association was formed in January 1866, in the
place of an old private club which had almost become
extinct. They preserve part of the River Stour, containing
some of the finest trout in England, and also breed
artificially with success. The number of members is limited
to 100, paying an annual subscription of £3 3s. to £5 5s.
and an entrance fee of £10 10s.
Hon. Sec., Captain Lambert, Stanmore, Canterbury ;
Assistant Sec. Mr..F. G. Haines, 9 Watling Street,
Canterbury.
ST. JoHN’s AMATEUR ANGLERS’ ASSOCIATION.
This Association was formed about five years ago by
several anglers residing at St. John’s, Worcester, with a
view to securing for themselves good fishing waters and
to encourage sportsmanlike angling. The number of
members is limited to 30, paying an annual subscription
Of 25,107,
Hon. Sec., Arthur Hill, Fern Villa, St. John’s, Worcester.
UPPER EXE FISHING ASSOCIATION.
This Association was formed in February, 1851, by the
owners and occupiers of land on the river Exe, and was then
called “The Occupier’s Exe Fishing Association,” but has
since been altered to the above title. Cards for the season
are issued at £1 Is.; monthly, 1os.; weekly, 5s. ; day, 25. 6d.
The extent of fishing is about five miles up the river Exe,
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. (65
from Thorverton Bridge to near Beckleigh Bridge, and
comprises the best fishing in that river.
The Hon. Secretary is W. C. James, Esq., Thorverton,
Collumpton, Devon.
TRENT FISHERY BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.
The chief honour of the establishment of this important
Board belongs unquestionably to Thomas Worthington,
Esq., solicitor, of Derby, who in 1863, by means of a series
of letters addressed to the Derby Mercury, called public
attention to the fact that no proper steps had been taken,
under the Salmon Fisheries Act of 1861, for the preser-
vation of the Trent. Ata public meeting which followed,
Mr. Worthington and another gentleman, on the motion of
the late Sir Oswald Mosley, Bart., were appointed the first
conservators under the act. The movement greatly inte-
rested the then Lord Vernon and other fishery proprie-
tors, amongst whom was Mr. Dennison, the then Speaker
of the House of Commons. In June 1864 a meeting of
fishery proprietors was held at Mr. Dennison’s residence,
when an association was formed, and called the “ Trent
Fishery Association.” Mr. Thomas Worthington, and
Major Scott, of Knaith Hall, near Gainsborough, were
appointed joint honorary secretaries,
In 1865, the Salmon Fisheries Amendment Act having
been passed, the Trent Fishery Association was duly formed
into the “Trent Fishery Board,” in pursuance of the act.
Major Scott resigned the honorary secretaryship, and
Colonel G. M. Hutton, of Gate Burton, Gainsborough, was
appointed in his place, and still remains hon. secretary.
In December 1880 Mr. Worthington, in consequence of
ill-health, was compelled to resign the hon. secretaryship,
F
66 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
and Mr. C. K. Eddowes, solicitor, Derby, was appointed
clerk and solicitor in his place.
TONBRIDGE ANGLING CLUB AND FISH PRESERVATION
SOCIETY.
This Society was established at Tonbridge about eight
years ago to preserve the upper reaches of the Medway, and
put a stop to the continuous poaching and netting which was
then going on. The Society received great assistance from
the riparian proprietors, and is now in a very flourishing
condition. They have recently acquired “The Ballast Pit,”
a lake of about six acres, which it is the intention of the
association to stock with trout. The annual subscription
is 10s. 6a. for the whole fishery, and 5s. for part; day
tICKELS, 15:
President, A.-T. Beeching, Esq.; Hon. Sec, Mr. E.
Hollomby, Quarry Hill, Tonbridge.
UNIVERSAL ANGLING SOCIETY.
This Society was formed in 1872, and was principally
composed of the former members of the “ Yorkshire and
Lincolnshire Angling Association,” which had ceased to
exist as a club in the preceding year. The association
owes a great deal of its present success to the good
services and management of Mr. Thomas Maplebeck, who
was for several years their president. The number of mem-
bers at present is eighty, paying an annual subscription of
8s. with an entrance fee of Is.
Secretary, Mr. W. H. Barker, High Street, Hull.
THE WATFORD PISCATORS.
This Society was established in March 1882, for the
purpose of putting a stop to the poaching which was going
on in the public waters of the neighbourhood, and to rent
SOGIE RIES OF LONDONAND THE PROVINCES. 67
fishing for the exclusive use of its members. In May the
club got under their control about half a mile of the river
Colne from the railway arches to the Leathersellers’ Arms,
and some time afterwards secured a reach of the canal from
Cassio Bridge to Beasley’s Lock. The number of fishing
members is limited to 50, with numerous hon. members.
The annual subscription is 5s.
Flon. Sec., Mr. H. A. Vincent, 4 Carey Place, Watford.
LONDON ANGLING CLUBS.
I now come to an entirely distinct consideration of the
“Angling Clubs” of London pure and simple. It is very
likely that a certain class of unreflecting people, or people
who don’t know any better, may imagine that the sole aim
and ambition attendant upon the formation or weekly
gathering together of the members of an angling club is
centred in the consumption of a good deal of fourpenny
ale, unlimited grogs, and the strongest sort of tobacco.
Now and again it is possible, but they are very isolated
instances, that this view of matters represents something
like the facts of the case. More frequently such an un-
generous reading is as far wide of the mark as the North
Pole is to California. Then, again, it may be asked ‘What
good do angling clubs effect ? what are they really doing
that is worth doing? and what might they not do? Truly
three such queries open up a terrible vista of argument,
and although the first question may be, and is, easy enough
to answer, the two following must inevitably place the ma-
jority of the angling clubs, to speak simple truth, in a by
no means complimentary or particularly enviable position.
What good do angling clubs effect? Well, by way of
EH 2
68 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
answering that question I will endeavour to show the
difference between angling clubs past and present.
At a date by no means very far antecedent there were,
comparatively speaking, only a very few angling clubs in
existence. Such as they were, they embraced all the best
and longest-lived societies then in being, with some few of
the now rapidly springing body of piscators, constantly
resolving themselves into some new club, and which might,
under proper skilled management, become in time a mighty
host, powerful to do good.
Such angling societies as existed then, or many of the
members at any rate, were anglers only in name. They re-
cognised, save with rare exceptions, no fence seasons at all,
and as to size, bagged every living thing in the shape of a
fish that they could entice with either worm or gentle. It
was no disgrace then for an angler proudly to display in
the club room, as the result of his day’s sport, such a col-
lection of fish as nowadays he dare not even bring home.
It was literally shocking in those degenerate days to see
what baby fish were slaughtered. It was sad to think
that men were amongst us calling themselves sportsmen—
Heaven save the mark !—who were content to base their
claim to the title upon the wretched laurels they might
win by the production of such a tray of fish as would have
almost disgraced the doughty deeds done in the days
when the embryo angler sallied forth armed with a pea-
stick, bent pin, some stolen cotton, and a borrowed pickle
bottle. However, such were the facts, and I turn gladly to
a contemplation of the picture in our own day.
That resolves itself into a totally different one. Anglers
nowadays are, in the first place, restricted by most
wholesome rules, which bar them from showing anything
but fairly good sample fish, and in the second, I fully
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 69
believe that their latent sportsmanlike feeling has been so
thoroughly developed by good example, that in many
cases they would not exhibit poor specimens even if they
had the chance. A very strong feeling, emanating it is only
right to say with the “Gresham Angling Society,” has
sprung up of late years against the promulgation of “gross
weight competitions,” and in favour rather of specimen fish.
The scale of weights has been fixed in all cases at a fair size,
and in many instances some of the clubs—and notably
those old Societies, “The Piscatorial Society” and “The
Friendly Anglers ”»—fix their weight at a very high standard
indeed. How different from the old days, when everything
in the shape of a fish was bagged, and the waters north,
south, east, and west of the compass, were slowly, it is true,
but not the less surely, depleted and gradually fished out.
I may ask now, What are the London Anglers doing
for the common good of their brethren? and the answer,
without giving offence, which I should be sorry enough to
do, is one especially difficult to shape nicely.
In the first place they have established by joint effort,
spread over certain districts, three institutions by means of
which cheap railway facilities have been obtained from all
those companies whose permanent way leads to well-known
angling resorts. These are the West Central Association
ot London and Provincial Angling Societies, The United
London Anglers’ Central Committee, and the Central
Association.
In the next place, they have founded what should be
known as the best and most important work that the
London anglers, as a body of sportsmen, have ever at-
tempted to give root and birth to, in the shape of “The
Anglers’ Benevolent Association.” This has for its main
object the assistance of anglers who through declining
70 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
years, or the working of that strange unwritten law which
would seem to hamper some unfortunates with the unvari-
able and accursed sting of poverty, sink gradually into a
pitiable state. Before its institution, and when a properly
accredited member of an angling club fell into distress,
there was nothing by way of relief save the “whip round”
with its open declaration of distress, sometimes especially
hurtful to a man’s feelings, but which, to the credit of his
comrades, they were never disposed to shirk. Now a dis-
tressed angler simply makes his case known to the Com-
mittee of that institution, and he is instantly relieved to
the best of its ability.
But is this institution, which should be one of the first
and most important, properly supported? No, I answer—
emphatically no ; yet the very men probably who hesitate
in the time of prosperity to put their shilling into its funds
are the very men who would think they were hardly dealt
by if, in the hour of need, they were not offered pounds.
My friend Mr. Geen, the hard-working practical “ anglers’
friend,” if ever man deserved the title yet, has lately written
a paper, which has been read before various Angling
Societies, upon “The better Organisation of the London
Anglers.” I had not intended to trench upon the ground
he, in that admirable and sensible essay, has taken up, but
he speaks so much more powerfully than my feeble pen is
capable of expressing, that I shall not hesitate, with many
apologies for so doing, to quote here and there his opinions,
mainly as a means of strengthening my own.
Hear what he says, ye London Anglers, concerning this
same “ Anglers’ Benevolent,” and mark, learn, and inwardly
digest the wisdom of his repeated warnings.
“ Another fault, and not a small one, is the difficulty of
getting members to join. One of the chief reasons which
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 71
caused me to work for the society was the hope that
begging would be done away with. I feel certain that
there have been more journeys undertaken, and more
earnest pleading, and eloquent speeches made to get
members to join the Anglers’ Benevolent than was ever
made for the needy angler under the old system.
“ And what does all this begging for members produce ?
637 8s. 7d.—actually a smaller sum than they took out of
it. No one could possibly take exception to a single item
of the expenses, yet they amount to 431 3s. 4d., which is
only £5 15s, less than the members’ subscriptions.”
The last good working of the London anglers, or at
any rate its outcome, is the establishment of the “ United
London Fisheries Association,” having for its object the
renting and stocking of various waters for the use and
pleasurable enjoyment of its members.
Now the business working of these five associations
means simply and totally, apart from their admirable
objects, a sheer waste of both time, labour, and money.
Mr. Geen’s great idea, and in this I fully and entirely join
issue, is that all might be comprised under one general
head, and that in lieu of five sets of officers, embracing
three presidents, two vice-presidents, five chairmen, five
treasurers, fifteen trustees, five committees of twelve each,
and five secretaries, all might be well and efficiently done
by one set of officers alone, and that in opposition to the
ridiculous issue of three sets of privilege tickets for rail-
way purposes, all might be easily comprised in one, saving
trouble, expense, and a lot of entirely unnecessary round-
about business.
What would be the result? There would be more
money at command to help the various Preservation
Societies, at present greatly neglected ; there would be still
72 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
more to help to stock the waters, at present absolutely in
the London anglers’ hands, and get them more efficiently
protected and watched, and there would be still more
left vested, and ready when needful, to help and assist the
sacred cause of charity.
I quote Mr. Geen again, because no language of my own
could make the question of how is this desirable result to
be obtained more clear than he does.
Te first of all tells us that-there are 2117 enrolled
members of one or other of these split-up associations.
Some belonging to one, some to another, but few to all
three combined. Upon the question of ways and means
he says :—
“T have left the important matter of ways and means
until the last, as I thought it best you should first be
informed as to the nature and extent of my other sug-
gestions.
“At present we pay Is. to the association of whom we
get a privilege ticket, and Is. to the Fisheries Society; so
that the yearage is now 2s. Then the Benevolent steps in
and asks us to voluntarily pay them 1s. Six hundred and
ninety-one out of the 4117 responded to that appeal, and
paid over £37 8s. 7a. How much easier, how much fairer
and more satisfactory that we should all pay 3s.! I hope
no one will accuse me of being unmindful of my poorer
brother anglers. I would not be a party to taking a single
penny unnecessarily from their pockets, and before I could
bring myself to consent to make this suggestion, I had
ascertained that it is the poor angler that is paying
the 3s. now. I have also asked myself the question,
‘What do I offer in return?’ The answer is, your railway
concessions shall be guarded, and, if possible, extended ;
your free rivers shall be protected, and private waters shall
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. “73
be rented for you; the needy and distressed among you
shall be relieved.
“Three shillings per year means a trifle more than one
halfpenny a week. Many of you must have been struck
with the wonderful penny’s-worth offered. Cheap tra-
velling, good sport, pleasure and charity for one half-penny
per week. Small as this sum is, it would produce 4617 IIs.
The donations and annual subscriptions to the Benevolent
amount to £65 17s. 8¢@., making our gross income £683 8s. 8d.
Out of this sum we must pay our secretary and bailiff, vote
a sum to the Benevolent committee, and provide for printing,
stationery, stamps, and general expenses.
“Much will depend on our getting a good
practical secretary, whose salary I fix at
#150 per annum, payable monthly, not
Wieaihy aus: as ae we Ve L502 OneO
Head bailiff, 30s. per week eye aes 7,5) BOwm©
Benevolent vote (the amount expended
last year) me ate ae on Fe) fe) Xe)
Present amount paid for printing, station-
ery and stamps, £133 15s. 5a. ; proposed
amount 433 155. §@d. (his “sum
would be found ample, if not more than
sufficient, when augmented by the
numerous advertisements which a fully
paid secretary could get) ae oye 2255 95
Incidental expenses as 50 ne 20 OO
Total See eso) thas
Which leaves us an available balance of £351 13 3
“What are we going to do with this handsome sum of
money? Why, give it to the Preservation Committee,
Th GLE ANGLING CLUBS’ AND PRE SIARVA LLON.
who, with the active assistance of our secretary and bailiff,
and with our support and encouragement, will remove
those cruel evils in our present system of preservation.”
The following short particulars give some idea of the
formation and history of such few of the London Angling
Societies as responded to my application for them. I
regret personally that they are so few, in opposition to the
lengthy list of provincial societies. The regret, however
keenly felt, will not unfortunately supply the deficiency.
THE PISCATORIAL SOCIETY.
In the year 1836 a few friends, who were in the habit of
meeting at the “Granby Tavern,” South Audley Street,
Grosvenor Square, who were devoted to angling, and
frequently made parties for competing in a friendly
manner, resolved to form an association to take the name
of “The Piscatorial Society.”
This was done in October of the same year, the object
of the Society being to meet their friends and associates in
social conversation and harmony (religion and _ politics
being excluded), to encourage fair angling ; while a portion
of the funds was to be appropriated to prizes, and forming
a museum and collecting works on angling, &c. Rules
were formed, and under their Secretary, the late Mr.
Cotterill, the Society was launched and has sailed on
progressively to the present time.
In the course of the past 47 years they have had a great
many good anglers, who have contributed largely to the
museum and library. The late Frank Buckland, Esq., an
old member, was especially devoted to their welfare, and
frequently gave a lecture on the Natural History of Fishes.
He presented, in conjunction with the late H. L. Rolfe, Esq.,
a cast of pike, which was painted in his usual excellent
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 75
manner, forming a noble and valuable angling trophy.
The late Mr. Chapman, who was Hon. Secretary for several
years, contributed largely to the museum and library, and
his celebrated composition of the “ Fine Old Jolly Angler”
was also presented to the Society. A valuable album of
original sketches was presented by T. H. Parker, Esq,.,
and another, containing comic sketches of the members of
the Piscatorial Society, by B. Perelli Rocco, Esq. The
library now consists of over 150 volumes, with many
valuable paintings and portraits.
In 1838 the Society exerted themselves in giving
assistance to the formation of the Thames Angling
Preservation Society, and one of the members, the late
H. Dean, was for several years secretary. The Piscatorial
Society have subscribed three guineas annually to that
association, independently of the subscriptions of the
individual members.
The museum consists of a large number of cases, and
have been exhibited at the Westminster Aquarium, for
which a silver medal was awarded; also at the Fisheries
Exhibition, Norwich (silver medal and 415) ; at the Fisheries
Exhibition, Edinburgh (a gold medal) ; and now exhibiting
at the International Fisheries Exhibition, Kensington.
The Society now holds its meetings at “ Ashley’s Hotel,”
Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, on Monday evenings at
8 o'clock.
The members number 150.
THE TRUE WALTONIANS
Was established in 1830, and the number of its members
is limited to 4o. It seeks rather to avoid than to court
publicity, and the feeling of the society is strongly opposed
to prize fishing.
76 LHE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
Quoting from its memoirs, I find that “This society was
established in the year 1830 to encourage periodical
meetings of its members: whereat they might reason,
converse or instruct with sober pleasantry and unlicentious
hilarity; to promote the principles of fair angling, to
vigorously oppose every description of poaching, and to
cultivate and advance brotherly and true Waltonian feeling
among the members of the society and anglers generally.
It also provides for the renting and preserving, for the
purposes of angling, such water or waters as may be
decided upon from time to time.”
THE WALTONIAN ANGLING SOCIETY.
After many removals from place to place in search of
suitable head-quarters this Society settled down at last
at the “ Jew’s Harp,” Redhill Street, Regent’s Park, where
they) now number 58 members, and under the secretary-
ship of Mr. J. Packman are in an extremely flourishing
condition.
THE SPORTSMEN’S ANGLING CLUB
Is one numbering amongst its members many who devote
themselves to other pursuits than a study of the gentle
art. One of them is now lion-hunting in Africa, while
several other members are fishing on far off continental
waters. Its head-quarters are at the “ Lady Owen’s Arms,”
Goswell Road, and its Secretary Mr. Benjamin Denny.
THE EALING DEAN CONVIVIAL ANGLING SOCIETY
Was started in October only of last year, yet already
numbers 54 members. They fish for no prizes and have
no subscriptions, are very rigorous as to the size of fish
shown, and support the Thames Angling Preservation
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINGES. 77
Society. I care not to say more, for if their rules are novel
they are at least good.
WESTBOURNE PARK PISCATORIAL SOCIETY.
This Society, started in 1876, has gradually increased
until it stands now with a list of nearly seventy names.
Although in existence but seven years the walls of the
club-room boast of twenty-three cases of preserved speci-
men fish (thirteen of the cases are now being exhibited at
the Fisheries Exhibition). Amongst this number may be
mentioned the following : Jack weighing 263 lbs.,a Thames
Trout 6 lbs., 2 Roach 4 lbs., 1 Dace 16} ounces, and also a
very pretty Jack of 16 lbs. taken from the Regent’s Canal
by the late Mr. Severn (in which water he recently lost his
life), 1 Bream weighing 6$lbs., 1 pair Tench olbs., and also
a pair of Carp weighing 16lbs.
I may mention that “gross weight” competitions have
been entirely abolished in the Society, and none but speci-
men fish of the following weights are now recognised:
Jack 5 lbs. Bream 3 lbs., Trout 2 lbs., Barbel 2 lbs., Chub
2 lbs., Carp-2 Ibs., Tench 1% lbs., Roach 1 ib., Rudd r Ib:
Perch 1 lb., and Dace 4 Ib.
WEST LONDON ANGLING CLUB.
This Society was formed March 31, 1880, at a meeting
held at the “White Bear,” King Street, Hammersmith.
It holds its meetings now at the “ Windsor Castle,” and
under the secretaryship of Mr. G. S. Benham the Society
is in a thoroughly sound condition.
THE HAMMERSMITH UNITED ANGLING SOCIETY
Is another excellent association of anglers possessing a
splendid museum, upwards of sixty members, and under
78 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION
the presidency of Mr. P. Geen and the secretaryship of
Mr. J. Hoole is as flourishing as need be.
THE WOOLWICH BROTHERS ANGLING SOCIETY, AND
WOOLWICH PISCATORIALS.
These are two capital clubs, numbering a fair average
number of members, established in the town of Woolwich.
THE ACTON PISCATORIAL SOCIETY.
This excellent Society, small in number yet high of
purpose, at its start in 1881 had very few members, yet it
now musters forty to fifty. Gross weight is barred, and
specimen fish are entirely sought after. Its secretary is
Mr. C. Simpson, and its head-quarters the “George and
Dragon,” High Street, Acton.
GOLDEN BARBEL ANGLING SOCIETY.
The above Society was established in the year 1872 at
the “Bear and Runner,” Wells Street, Mortimer Street, by
Mr. Fullerton, then a fishing-tackle maker of Wells Street,
W. Dixe, the late secretary, and six or seven other gentle-
men.
After some two years or so the Society was removed to
the “York Minster,” Foley Street, Portland Street, W.,
where it still remains. The Society is enrolled on the
“West Central Association of London and Provincial
Angling Societies,” at whose meetings the Society send
two delegates to represent it.
The objects of the Society are to promote the interests of
its members, so far as regards angling, to assist its members
to preserve specimen fish. The Society gives prizes for
every species of fresh-water fish, and prizes for the three
first gross weights, and one for the gross weight of pike.
SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES. 79
THE BUCKLAND ANGLING SOCIETY
Was formed in September, 1881, and its title taken, as
may be surmised, from the name of the late Mr. F.
Buckland. Its head-quarters are at the “Middlesex
Arms,” Clerkenwell Green, and its secretary is Mr. L. V.
Welean:
THE ALLIANCE ANGLING SOCIETY
Holds its meeting at the “Clerkenwell Tavern,” Farring-
don Road. It possesses a good museum of preserved
trophies, and under the secretaryship of Mr. T. J. Cundell
flourishes exceedingly.
CLERKENWELL PISCATORIAL SOCIETY.
The above Society was founded in August 1879 by the
united efforts of Messrs. Stebbings, Trott and Cooper. Its
head-quarters were fixed at the “ White Hart,” Aylesbury
Street in Clerkenwell, and at the present time it has about
forty members. The contribution is 12s. per annum, which
sum clears all expenses. The members fish free waters
only.
THE GRANGE ANGLING SOCIETY.
This Society was formed in 1882, and although only in
existence for little more than twelve months, is in a highly
efficient state, being both well officered and well supported.
Their. head-quarters are at the “Earl of Derby,” Grange
Road, the Society having for president W. Hosken, Esq.,
while its hon. secretary is Mr. William Kayes.
This ends the list of the “Angling Clubs of London.”
If it is “cribbed, cabined, and confined,” it is not the
fault of J. Rea
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' INAUGURAL MEETING: ADDRESS. By PRoFEssor
Houxtey, P.R.S. H.R.H. the Prince or Watzs (President of the Commission) in the Chair.
6d. Post-free 7d.
NOTES ON THE SHA FISHERIES AND FISHING
POPULATION oft the UNITED KINGDOM. By H.R.H. the DuxkE oF EpinspurGu, K.G.
1s. Post-free 1s.
THE FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
By Proressor Brown Goopk, M.A. 6d. Post free 8d
OYSTER CULTURE AND OYSTER FISHERIES IN THE
NETHERLANDS. By Proressor HuBrecuT. 6d. Post-free 7d.
Poe ite OF FISHERY LEGISLATION. _ By Rr. Hon.
. SHAW LEFEvRE, M.P. 6d. Post-free 7d
on’ THE CULTURE OF SALMONIDAE AND THE
ACCLIMATISATION OF FISH. By Sir James Ramsay Gipson MAITLAND, Bart. (d.
Post-free 72
FISH DISEASES. By Proressor Huxtey, P.R.S. 6¢, Post-free 77.
THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF FISHERMEN. by
ProFEssor LEONE Levi. €d. Post-free 7d
basen FISHERIES OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA.
Z. Joncas. 6d. Post-free 7d.
PRESERVATION OF FISH LIFE IN RIVERS, by
PEE EER ON OF TOWN SEWAGE. By the Hon. W. F. B. Massey MainwarinaG.
6¢ ost-free 7d.
MOLLUSCS, MUSSELS, WHELKS, &c., used for Food or
Bait. By Cuas. THe. 6d. Beets free 7d.
OSes FISH CULTURE. By R. B. Marston. 6¢._ Post-
flee 7
ON THE FOOD OF FISHES. By Dr. F. Day. 62. Post-free 77,
THE HERRING FISHERIES OF SCOTLAND. By R. W.
Durr, M.P. 6d. Post-free 7d.
LINE FISHING. By C.M. Munpast. 62. Post-free 77.
FISH TRANSPORT AND FISH MARKETS. by His
EXCELLENCY SPENCER WALPOLE. 6d. Post-free 7d.
FOREST PROTECTION AND SHELTER. By D. Howirz,
Esq. 6d. Post-free 7d.
SEAL FISHERIES. By Caprain TEMPLE. 62. Post-free 7d.
FISH AS FOOD. By Sir Henry THompson. - 62. Post-free 7d.
STORM WARNINGS. By Rk. H. Scorr. 62. Post-free 77.
ON THE DESTRUCTION OF FISH AND. OTHER
aU Bae ANIMALS BY INTERNAL PARASITES. By Proressor Coggpotp, F.R.S.,
F. 6d. Post-free' 7d.
ARTIFICIAL CULTURE OF LOBSTERS. By W. SAvILLE
Kenr. 6d. Post-free 7d.
[See next page.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS
OF THE
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION,
PUBLISHED BY
WM. CLOWES & SONS, Limited, 13, Charing Cross, §.W.
(And Sold at their Stalls near each Entrance to the Exhibition.)
PAPERS OF THE CONFERENGES,—Condinwed.
—o—-
iN THE PRESS.
Demy $vo., in Illustrated Wrapper.
SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES. By Davip MILNE
Home, F.R.S.E. 6a. Post-free 7d. {
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS OF THE EXHIBITION. By
Proressor E. Ray LANKESTER. 6d. Post-free 7d.
THE FISHERIES OF OTHER COUNTRIES. By Com-
_ missioners for Sweden, Norway Spain, &c., who took part in the Conference. 6d. Post-free 7/.
PILCHARD AND MACKEREL FISHERIES. BY, Tapli:
CornisH. 6d. Post-free 7d.
FRESHWATER FISHING (other than Salmon). By J. P.
WHEELDON. 6d. Post-free 7d.
BASIS FOR LEGISLATION ON FISHERY QUESTIONS.
By Lieur.-Cor. F. G. Sora. 6d. Post-free 7d.
CRUSTACEA. By T. CornisH, 6d. Post-free 77.
TRAWLING. By AtrrepD ANSELL. 6d. Post-free 7d.
A NATIONAL FISHERY SOCIETY FOR GREAT
BRITAIN. By C.E. Fryer. 6d. Post-free 7d.
ON FACILITIES FOR THE IMPROVED CAPTURE AND
-ECONOMIC TRANSMISSION OF SEA FISHES, AND HOW THESE MATTERS
AFFECT IRISH FISHERIES. By R. F. Watss, of Kinsale. 6d. Post-free 7d.
THE FISHERIES OF IRELAND. By J. C. BLoomFie.p.
6d. Post-free 7d.
Lonpon: WILLIAM CLOWES & SONS, Limirtep,
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION, & 13 CHARING CROSS.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION,
PUBLISHED BY
WM. CLOWES & SONS, Limited, 13, Charing Cross, S.W.
(And Sold at their Stalls near each Entrance to the Exhibition.)
OFFICIAL GUIDE BOOKS, &c.
| LARGE PLAN and TOUR of the BUILDINGS, ld.;
post-free lid.
GUIDE to the EXHIBITION, 3d.; post-free 4d.
9
PROGRAMME of MUSIC, &c., 2d.; post-free 3d.
OFFICIAL CATALOGUE, Second Edition, ls.; post-
free ls. 4d.
CHEAP RECIPES for FISH COOKERY. Prepared
by Mrs. CHARLES CLARKE. 3d.; post-free 4d.
CONTAINING
Ten Original Etchings of Scenes on the British Coast.
TITLE. ARTIST.
slsie (CRMs «a 6 6 5 3 6 R. W. Macsetu, A.R.A.
2.—Running Ashore . . . . © . COLIN HUNTER.
3 —A Fisher Ginlieee es hcg re ee ees J. D. Watson.
4.—Fishing Boats off Hastings . . Davip Law.
5.—Going for Bait . . . . » » Otto LrEypg, R.S.A.
6.—Boat Building on the Yare . . C.J. Warts.
7.—Preparing for Sea—Hastings . C. P. SLocomBE.
8.—Ramsgate Harbour... . . J. P. HESELTINE.
9.—Fisherman’s Haven .... . J. MacWHIRTER, A.R.A.
10.—Stranded—Rye. ..... .- WILFRID W. BALL.
Price 15s. the complete set.
Lonpon: WILLIAM CLOWES & SONS, Limirep,
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION, & 13 CHARING CROSS.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS
OF THE
‘INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION,
PUBLISHED BY
WM. CLOWES & SONS, Limited, 13, Charing Cross, 8.W.
(A nd Sold at their Stalls near each Entrance to the Exhibition.)
OFFICIAL GUIDE BOOKS, &.
LARGE PLAN and TOUR of the BUILDINGS, i1.;
post-free lid.
GUIDE to the EXHIBITION, 3d.; post-free 4d.
- PROGRAMME of MUSIC, &c., 2d.; post-free 3d.
OFFICIAL CATALOGUE, Second Edition, 1s. ; post-
free ls. 4d.
CHEAP RECIPES for FISH COOKERY. Prepared
by Mrs. CHARLES CLARKE. 3d.; post-free 4d.
THE FISHERIES PORTFOLIO:
CONTAINING
Ten Original Etchings of Scenes on the British Coast.
. aa - TITLE, ARTIST. mye:
1.—Bait Gatherers...... . R. W. MacBetu, A.R.A:
2 Running Ashore: ss si... CoLin HuNTER.
EGE MOGI) Gad eee eee ake J. D. Watson.
4.—Fishing Boats off Hastings . . Davin Law.
S—Going: for Bait ic. es ee wes Otto LrEypg, R.S.A,
6.—Boat Building on the Yare . . C.J. Warts,
7.—Preparing for Sea—Hastings . C. P. SLocomse.
8.—Ramsgate Harbour. ... . J. P. HESELTINE.
9.—Fisherman’s Haven . . .. . J. MACWHIRTER, A.B. A.
10:—Stranded—Rye. ..... 5 -» « WILFRID W. Bait.
Price 15s. the complete set.
— —— = = =
1] Lonpon : WILLIAM CLOWES & SONS, Limitep,
|| INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION, & 13 CHARING CiOSS.
PAPERS oF THE
ii |
Held in connection with ti 3 9088 00717 4428
FISHERIES EXHIBITIUN,
NOW READY.
Demy 8vo., in Illustrated Wrapper. Price Sixpence each.
INAUGURAL MEETING: ADDRESS. By Professor Huxtry, P.R.S.
H.R.H. the Princg oF WALEs (President of the Commission) in the Chair.
NOTES ON THE SEA FISHERIES AND FISHING POPULATION
OF THE UNILED KINGDOM. By H.R-H THE Duxke of EpinpurGu, K.G. ts.
THE FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES. By Pro-
fessor Brown Goong, M.A.
OYSTER CULTURE AND OYSTER FISHERIES IN THE NETHER-
LANDS. By Professor HUBRECHT.
PRINCIPLES OF FISHERY LEGISLATION. By Right Hon. G. Suaw-
LeFevre, M.P.
ON THE CULTURE OF SALMONIDAE AND THE ACCLIMA-
TISATION OF FISH. By Sir James Ramsay Gieson MAITLAND, Bart.
FISH DISEASES. By Professor HUXLEY, P.R.S.
THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF FISHERMEN, By Professor Leone
Levi.
THE FISHERIES OF CANADA. By L. Z. Joncas.
PRESERVATION OF FISH LIFE IN RIVERS BY THE £XCLU-
SION OF TOWN SEWAGE. By the Hon. W. F. B. Massey MAInwaring.
MOLLUSCS, MUSSELS, WHELKS, &c, USED FOR FOOD OR BATT.
By CHarvces Harpinc.
COARSE FISH CULTURE. By R. B. Marston,
ON THE FOOD OF FISHES. By Dr. F. Day.
THE HERRING FISHERIES OF SCOTLAND. By R. W. Durr, M.P.
LINE FISHING. By C. M. MUNDAHL.
Tee TRANSPORT AND FISH MARKETS. By His Excellency Srencer
ALFOLE.
FOREST PROTECTION AND TREE CULTURE ON WATER
FRONTAGES. By D. HowiTz, Esq.
SEAL FISHERIES. By Captain Tempe.
FISH AS FOOD. By Sir HENry THompson,
STORM WARNINGS. By R. H. Scorr.
ON THE DESTRUCTION OF FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC
ANIMALS BY INTERNAL PARASITES. By Professor Copsorn, F.R-S., F.L.S.
SCIENTIFIC RESULTS OF THE EXHIBITION. By Professor KE. Ray
LANKESTER.
A NATIONAL FISHERY SOCIETY FOR GREAT BRITAIN. By
C. E. Fryer.
IN THE PRESS.
SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES. By Davip Mitnge Home, F.R.S.E.
PILCHARD AND MACKEREL FISHERIES. By T. Cornisn.
FRESH-WATER FISHING (other than Salmon). By J. P. WHEELDON.
ARTIFICIAL CULTURE OF LOBSTERS. By W. Savittr Kent.
THE BASIS FOR LEGISLATION ON FISHERY QUESTIONS, by
Lieut.-Col. F. G. Sod.
CRUSTACHANS. By T. Cornisu.
TRAWLING. By ALFRED ANSELL.
ON FACILITIES FOR THE IMPROVED CAPTURE AND ECO-
NOMIC ‘TRANSMISSION OF SEA FISHES, AND HOW THESE MATTERS AFFECT
IRISH FISHERIES. By R. F. Watsu, of Kinsale.
THE FISHERIES OF IRELAND. By J. C. BLoomFie.p.
THE FISHERIES OF OTHER COUNTRIES. By Commissioners for
Sweden, Norway, Spain, &c., who took part in the Conference.
LONDON: WILLIAM CLOWES & SONS, Limirep,
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES EXHIBITION, & 13, CHARING CROSS.
ee
“LONDON! PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, STAMFORD STREET, AND CHARING CROSS.
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