Kent Coast Sea Fishing Compendium

British Sea Anglers' Society

The South Eastern Gazette, Saturday 5 May 1894

Deal

Angling

It will be of interest to anglers to learn that some exceptionally fine sport is to be obtained at Deal now among the whiting and codfish. The local agent of the British Sea Anglers’ Society states that last week the catches of two boats consisted of nearly 700 fine whiting as well as codfish and dabs. These were taken on rods and "trat" lines.

"Hints and Wrinkles on Sea Fishing" (1894) "Ichthyosaurus" (A. Baines & Frederick George Aflalo) at pages 81, 82, 87 & 88

Sea Fishing near London

The Scarborough sea fishing is from time to time described (chiefly in connection with the outings of the British Sea Anglers) in The Angler.

There was a letter in Land and Water last November on the scarcity of newspaper intelligence on this kind of sport, and the writer criticised the Sea Anglers' Society. I had intended giving some account of this society and its objects; but if I were too outspoken I might give offence to some of my friends, and anything but a frank criticism would be valueless. I think, however, that its success has been remarkable in many ways, notably in the manner in which the committee have arranged matters with the railway companies, and in their method of collecting and distributing information. To form a league of sea anglers on non-social lines was a very difficult task; and the fact that the society numbers close on two hundred members, residing in almost every maritime county of England, and in London and the suburbs, is a somewhat remarkable monument to the efforts of those responsible for its affairs.

It will increase in numbers and usefulness, I have no doubt, and will make matters much easier for those who have yet to be converted to the sport. Its members are most in evidence at Deal, Plymouth and Scarborough. At the last named, they have held some amusing competitions.

… Where time is chiefly lost in these single day's outings is in finding live bait; and until bait-sellers acquire the habit, whether under the auspices of the Society or otherwise, of congregating near piers and harbours, or at other fixed spots, little can be done to better the existing state of things. You arrive, for instance, at Southend about eleven in the morning, and want to find lugworms for the day's fishing. In the summer months you may possibly meet some youth with the desired article in the neighbourhood of the pier gates, otherwise you will lucky if you find any at all. But you had written overnight to one of the boatowners - Little by name (whose address is 28 Scratton Road) - he would meet you at the station or pier with the bait of baits. I only quote this as an instance of one of the Society's arrangements on their prospectus.

It is the business of the committee to publish such names and addresses. They will not, perhaps, organise new bait supplies, but they will at least make known to their members the whereabouts of those already in existence.

Kent - The coast of this county extends from the south bank of the Thames estuary as far as just beyond Dungeness. It has some fishing stations of great importance reached by the S.E.R. and L.C. & D.R. trains; and the aforementioned Sea Anglers' Society are therefore to be congratulated at having so soon obtained concessions from both these companies.

"The Badminton Library: Modern Sea Fishing" (1895) John Bickerdyke at pages 1, 2, 6, 7 & 8

Introductory

DEAL - Like Caesar, they came, they saw, and they conquered. The members of the British Sea Anglers' Society may fairly lay claim to this motto, for they have come and taken the wind out of our local fishermen. The following particulars will be read with interest. On the 9th instant … 282lb weight of fish were brought in, and there were no cases of sea-sickness. Mr. Norman took a whiting, 2lb 3oz; Mr. Vail, one of 2lb 10oz. Saturday, the 10th was a most lovely day, and the takes were even better than the preceding one. Messrs. Gould, 47lb, and a nice cod of 7lb 10oz, besides codling; Jaques, 45lb; Alec Wright, 40lb; Vail, 38lb; Wm. Marshall, 34½lb; F. W. Norman, 31½lb; J. C. Bartlett, 27lb; W. F. Dyer, 31lb; Parker, 26lb; J. P. West, 18½lb; Raison, 18½lb; in all 357 lb. of whiting, besides cod. Mr. Chatto, of the Haymarket, took 200 whiting and 6 codling, Tom Norris being in charge. Nov. 11, Messrs. A. Dangerfield, T. Chatto, and Geo. Brook went out with Tom Norris in a galley punt and caught 200 whiting and dabs and 14 large codling, Mr. Brook being credited also with a fine-looking cod of 9lb. Mr. Capel Cure, with Dick Riley, had a nice catch of whiting and a cod of 14lb 9oz after being cleaned. Messrs. Alfred Rolls, A. W. Taylor, and George Green were out with H. Norris and myself, and we secured 420 whiting, 21 fine codling, and a few dabs. Mr. Ball and his son went out at 8 A.M. intending to fish near the Break Buoy, but after a short stay there, were obliged to put back owing to increase of wind and tide; they, however, anchored near the Second Battery and took 119 whiting and 3 cod of 8lb, 5lb, and 3½lb; Messrs. Capel Cure and Collins also had excellent sport with whiting and cod. Pier fishing has been extraordinary, for the weather has been glorious, and large takes of fish have been the rule. The above records may read like a fairy tale, but, fortunately, they can be substantiated, and with such weather Deal has become a perfect anglers' paradise. Everyone knows the uncertainty of our climate, however; and readers will have already been made acquainted with the rough weather we have recently experienced, but I anticipate some grand sport as soon as the sea thins down. EDWARD HANGER.

If a member of the British Sea Anglers' Society he can, of course, obtain the benefit of such advice as the executive of that body is in a position to give.

A word here as to this Society, which was formed with the object, amongst others, of popularising sea fishing as a sport, may not be out of place. The Society came into existence in the spring of 1893. Sir Edward Birkbeck, Bart., is its President, and it includes among its supporters Lord Brassey, Lord St. Levan, Sir Harald G. Hewett, Bart., Sir George R. Sitwell, Bart., M.P., Sir Albert Rollit, M.P., Captain Lambton Young, Mr. R. Biddulph-Martin, M.P., Mr. R. B. Marston, Mr. H. Cholmondeley Pennell, Mr. W. Senior, Mr. T. A. Dorrien-Smith, Mr. J. C. Wilcocks, and a number of other gentlemen who are either enthusiastic sea fishers or have shown an interest in the preservation of our sea fisheries and the welfare of sea fishermen. The gentleman who was until 1895 honorary secretary, and may be termed the principal founder of the Society, is Mr. F. G. Aflalo. He has been succeeded by Mr. Henry Ball. I had the honour of presiding over the public meeting at which the Society was formed. Provided the British Sea Anglers' Society, which has offices at 66 Haymarket, is sufficiently supported, it will be able to do a very great deal for the benefit, not only of its members, but of many others who are interested in sea fishing. It is in the first place a corporate collector of information from corresponding members dwelling at or visiting different parts of the coast. It aims at establishing branches in all important sea-coast towns, with boats and men of their own, and has in many places made arrangements with the boatmen and hotel-keepers for special terms for its members. It has already induced some of the railway companies to issue tickets to its members at greatly reduced fares to certain places on the east coast during the autumn months.

As the subscription is a nominal sum, the list of members ought to grow apace. I believe at present there are about three hundred, not including those belonging to the branch societies, at Scarborough and Yarmouth, of which Mr. J. W. Blakey, editor of the 'Angler', and Mr. Lovewell Blake are the honorary secretaries respectively. Some day the Society may become a power in the land, and its advice may be sought on the many difficult problems the Government have to face when legislating for the better preservation of sea fish. The opinions given by the professional sea fishermen are, as a rule, unconsciously biased by personal considerations. The worthy fellows are very apt to form rough and ready conclusions which a scientific observer with a quarter of their experience could say with certainty were inaccurate. The members of the British Sea Anglers' Society, on the other hand, come of a class consisting mainly of intelligent, educated men, and their observations on baits, the migration of fish, and kindred matters are likely to be of considerable value. Certainly in drawing general conclusions the educated, practical, amateur sea fisherman is less likely to go astray than the uneducated professional fisherman and the unpractical scientist. Talking of conclusions, I have endeavoured to explain in Chapter VIII how trawling in territorial waters is not only inimical to the sport of the sea angler, but also most injurious to certain fisheries and to the local professional fishermen who depend upon them for a subsistence.

"Days of my life on waters fresh and salt, and other papers" (1895) John Bickerdyke at pages 160 & 161

Angling in Salt Water

So favourite a branch of sport has amateur sea-fishing become that a "British Sea Anglers' Society" has been formed, with branches at Scarborough, Deal, &c. The comings and goings of sea fish are somewhat uncertain, and one great object of the Society is to give information, and thus enable its members who are starting on a holiday sea-fishing trip to go to the right place. The Society also aims at having boats of its own, and obtaining special terms for its members among sea-fishermen, and at seaside hostelries; at forming bait depots, and giving information on every possible point that may be required by the sea-angler.

The Society, of which Sir Edward Birkbeck, Bart., is the president, is as yet in its infancy, but it has done a very great deal towards attaining the objects of its existence. Already its members have the privilege of reduced fares on certain lines. Its offices are at 66 the Haymarket, London, and Mr. Blakey, the editor of the "Angler", is head of the North-country branch at Scarborough. The subscription is little more than nominal.

"Practical Letters to Young Sea Fishers" (1898) John Bickerdyke at pages 7 & 8

Introduction

I must not conclude these few introductory remarks without a reference to the most striking evidence in support of my statement as to the progress of sea fishing as a sport, namely, the existence of the British Sea Anglers' Society, which was formed by Mr. F. G. Aflalo, myself, and a few others in 1893. Though still in its youth, it numbers more members than any society of anglers in the kingdom; and if its committee ever keep its original objects in mind, will, I venture to say, become a power in the land before long. Its offices are at 150, Mansion House Chambers, 11, Queen Victoria Street, London. The subscription is little more than nominal, and, apart from the annual dinner and other festive gatherings, from which young sea fishers are perhaps debarred for the present by parent or pedagogue, there are benefits to be obtained in the way of information and advice, cheap railway fares, special tariffs at hotels, selected boatmen, &c.

There is nothing more odious to a healthy English boy than to find himself dumped down in what he very properly terms "a hole of a place" for several weeks of the holidays. Before deciding on Little-Bathington-by-the-Sea, it is the bounden duty of paterfamilias to make an inquiry of the secretary of the British Sea Anglers' Society as to the sea fishing to be obtained during the holiday season, and whether the boating is tolerably safe. If the answer is unsatisfactory, then he may seek advice as to some more desirable marine resort.

"Sea Fish" (1898) Frederick George Aflalo at pages 203 & 233

Appendix

When I proposed last winter, as a direct outcome of a suggestion made by "Red Spinner" to the British Sea Anglers, the compilation of a sea-fishing guide with the joint aid of a number of amateurs, the "Anglers' Library" was not even contemplated, and I little thought how soon I should be allowed an opportunity of putting my proposal to-the test. The assistance I have received, both from Mr. R. B. Marston (Fishing Gazette) and Mr. W. Senior (Field) in reaching the different gentlemen in possession of the requisite information, and subsequently from the latter themselves, has been most encouraging; and I think and hope that the joint result of their contributions, in which my own share is very trifling, will, be most valuable to the amateur who wishes to try a new resort, or revisit an old after a lapse of years, in the course of which maybe new piers have sprung into existence, old harbours silted up, old "marks" vanished, old grounds got fished out. These and many other contingencies are ever at hand to render the very latest information essential.

Ramsgate

Very different in character from the fishing on the Cornish and Devon coasts is that obtainable at Ramsgate, where the conditions closely resemble those already given for Deal and Dover. I know no sea-angler with a longer and more varied experience of this place than Captain Lambton Young, who so often presides, unless prevented by ill health, at the B.S.A.S meetings. He writes me that the best time for fishing is August to October. As to "marks", almost anywhere about three miles off the coast, or even off the red buoy just west of the harbour, where you may get a good catch of whiting or flat-fish. Also, off Sandwich, in the small Downs, and right up to the North Foreland, is all good ground. Boats usually keep inside the Goodwins, one favourite ground being about three to four miles due north of Deal pier and two to two and a half miles off Sandwich. Lug, dug in the mud of Pegwell Bay, or bought of the bait-dealers in the town, is considered the best bait, but squid, obtained from the trawlers, is also much used. Boats cost about 2s an hour, but an arrangement can usually be made by the week.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 17 January 1899 at page 7

Winter Sea Angling at Deal

"Sarcelle" writes, on the above subject in the Field. He says …

A pleasant Channel crossing, after a glimpse on this side of our new Viceroy on his way to the glories of his Indian realm, was the prelude to my being deposited, on the night of Dec. 15, with two stout sea-rods among my impedimenta, at the door of Ned Hanger's snug little inn, the "North Star" at the north end of the delightfully marine and fishy town of Deal, where I received the warmest of welcomes from the gallant lifeboat coxswain, and immediately found myself at home among new friends.

Just across the road stood the lifeboat in which my host had done such good work, while other craft of all sizes and rigs lined the crest of the steep bank of shiny shingle, at whose base the lap and scrape of the surf made soothing lullaby, for the expectant sea-angler. In the taproom were pictures and photographs of wrecks and storms, lifeboat adventures, men-of-war in fierce gales, while the cosy snuggery behind the busy bar possessed, among its varied adornments, sundry suggestive specimens of stout sea-tackle. The said taproom and bar were frequented during the evening by relays of honest, sturdy, kind-hearted, genial Deal boatmen and fishermen, some of the best types of their class I have ever met, cheering contrasts to the loafing land sharks one meets at some fashionable watering places.

Sport had been fair, I learned, two well-known amateurs in a boat having that day secured five score of whiting, and nine codlings and cod, biggest 16 lb.; lugworm would be procurable in the morning, but sprats were scarce, my host's own net having only brought in a couple, while other boats had very small catches; but this was likely to improve, and chances of cod would be concomitant.

Next morning, after a passing survey of my most novel and congenial marine surroundings, I made a late start for the pier, with some lug, which had been dug some distance to the north, and five sprats which my host had saved for me. Three pence for a day ticket and the same for each rod or line used are the modest charges, and the partly-sheltered end of the pier is a pleasant haunt and lounge for many a well-known member of the B.S.A.S., and many a skilful local hand at the pastime, with friends and promenaders frequently coming to exchange greetings and see how sport is going. The spacious saloon above affords varied attractions in the summer season, and a comfortable bar was found useful during my wintry stay.

Down below, among the mussel and barnacle-covered and weed-fringed maze of strong iron posts and girders, Teddy, the well-known attendant, his own line put on the chance of a codling, was busy catching, in nets baited with fish offal, numerous hermit crabs, for sale to anglers whose supply of lug or sprat might run short, or who might like to try a change.

The views of gay Ramsgate shining across the bay to the north, the long sea-front, lines of stout boats, and fine buildings of Deal, with Dover cliffs in the grey distance, numerous sailing ships at anchor in the Downs, and big steamers passing up and down Channel, were pleasant, but sport was slow; it was, for the pier-head, the one blank morning of the season, while from the upper structure only two small codling and a whiting were caught.

The flood-tide does not generally fish well here; fish take better on "the slack of the flood", beginning about an hour and a half after high water. Returning to the scene after a hearty lunch, I found much more company, rod-men almost shoulder to shoulder, and fish coming on, of which I soon began to get my share, securing about a dozen and a half of whiting and pouting in a short afternoon. The whiting averaged fully double the size of the small specimens generally caught on Calais piers, and I saw one of quite 1½ lb. The tackle used was rather heavy; thick, twisted gut paternosters, mostly with brass swivels and booms: I preferred single gut, and the fine French spreaders of twisted white wire which stand out so truly at right angles, as inducing more bites and missing fewer, but my Deal friends often fish far into the evening, and are liable to hook large cod and a casual conger; they care not to fish too fine.

Things were rather more promising next morning; a well-known pier frequenter and chronicler was gradually collecting a nice string of plump dabs, one of which was about 1½ lb., while others were getting a whiting here and a pouting there and depositing them in great wooden pails, to be hired from the above-mentioned Teddy for a penny a day.

I had a nice little lot by lunch time, after which W., a new arrival, induced me to join him in an afternoon boat cruise with Will Baker, one of the good Deal fishermen. We went a mile or so to N., off the forlorn wreck of a foreign steamer. Sea smooth, water rather clear, fish not over plentiful, but we were never long without bites, missing a great many whiting and pouting through using rather large hooks and baits. Our afternoon's take was three score and two of these kinds, one codling slipping off alongside the boat; the big cod had apparently followed the sprats in another part, of the bay, whereof the boats made fair takes in the evening.

Thirty or more boats were out on Sunday, and takes moderate. I heard of no large cod, though a few were taken by the spratters while drifting in the evening, and I was offered one of about 18 lb. for two shillings. I was amused to see how the fishermen sold their own little catches, laid on boards or on the smooth shingle of the sea front, and to hear how cod and big whiting followed the nets to tear out the imprisoned sprats, and how the big cod often got rolled up in the nets and caught.

Next day W. and I fished the pier, doing next to nothing in the morning, but getting fairly well among the whiting in, late afternoon and early evening; we had over two score of whiting and pouting between us. Codling were conspicuous by their absence. On the Tuesday I was dubious about going afloat; there was a hard northerly wind blowing and a rather heavy swell breaking on the shingly beach, but the eager and hardy W. persuaded me, and we set off with Baker about 8.30 a.m., and were soon having a bitterly cold buffeting with winds and waves beating up to windward.

Swathed in many thick garments, it was not quite so bad when we were anchored, and turned our backs to the freezing blast, especially when the fish began to bite, and when we noticed outward-bound ships getting up moderate canvas to run before the strong favouring breeze, and a big steamer coming into the Downs to land her pilot, and the trim cutter of the Missions to Seamen beating her way out to the lonely men on Gull Lightship with good cheer for Christmas, and when we gathered a whole crowd of clamorous, dark-eyed grey and white kittiwake gulls round us, and laughed to see how swiftly they picked up spare sprats we threw them. Five Brent geese swung past us almost within range as we heaved and tossed in the strong wind that, as our good boatman said, was stiffening every minute, and soon after noontide, after disposing of our lunch with wolfish appetites, we deemed it prudent to run for the shore, lest we should have difficulty in landing.

Our joint take, in about three hours, was 69 fish, 35 to W. and 34 to me; but I had nine codling to his five, and once thought. I had really hooked one of the big chaps we were always talking of, till a four-pounder came up on the bottom hook, with one! of about 1½ lb on the top one. Getting near shore, with lots of willing hands to help us, we waited for "a smooth", and the boat was run up the beach in grand style; not like a larger craft in the afternoon, which essaying to sail on shore, I saw covered by a smother of white water, everybody and everything on board drenched and the boat half-filled.

We tried the pier in the afternoon, but the water had become thick as pea soup; there was absolutely nothing doing, and it was so atrociously cold that I gave it up at five o'clock, and enjoyed a walk through the bright town, with its many blue and red jackets of sailors and soldiers, its gaily lighted shops bright with good Christmas cheer - toys, crackers, and all kinds of delights for young and old. The indefatigable W. stuck to it till seven, getting only one small whiting, but seeing a conger of about 8 lb. caught. Going, after dinner in search of a man named Williams, who keeps a supply of lugworms, in a by-street near, we saw a lucky, local hurrying home with a 17 lb. cod, which he had just caught on the pier.

The big black lugs were dispensed to W. by a polite lady, at the price of fourpence per score for small, and sixpence for big ones. They have to be caught at a distance, and fourpence per score is the usual price. Sprats are only about sixpence per hundred. Charges for small boat and man are eight shillings per day, including bait - very reasonable when divided between two anglers; larger boats are to be hired by a party at a pound to thirty shillings. Deal must he a very pleasant place for a summer holiday, but the fishing is poor then, the cod and whiting fishing being winter sport.

I left on the 21st; W. got afloat with a new-comer, and their take, though numerically small, included cod of about 9 lb. and 11 lb. Both cod and conger of 20 lb. and over are occasionally caught on the rods. I had fallen on a very poor time, yet in my four days' fishing had landed 54 fish from the pier and 57 from boat. I enjoyed a most refreshing holiday, and would not want snugger or more home-like quarters than those where I spent my pleasant, but too few, December days at Deal.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 21 November 1899

Deal

British Sea Anglers' Competition

At Deal on the 13th inst. the British Sea Anglers' Society concluded a three-days competition, and the sport proved fair, the sea being as calm as a mill pond. Mr. W, T. Green won the gold medal for the heaviest fish with a splendid conger eel of 29 1b. 4 oz; silver medals for the best cod were secured by Messrs. S. Carnegie and A. Litchfield and Major Gordon; the whiting prizes fell to Messrs. W. G. Reynolds, W.Vail, and G. Glassingtpn; and the award for the greatest number of sizeable fish (49) went to Mr. W. J. Reynolds. Mr. Carnegie weighed in the heaviest cod (10 lb. 2 oz.).

"Dover as a Sea-Angling Centre" (1900) Deputy Surgeon-General Charles Thomas Paske at pages 6, 98, 99 to 103

Chapter I

Stimulated by its yearly increasing literature, nursed by the "British Sea Angling Society", and encouraged by individual efforts, sea-angling is rapidly ascending the ladder of fame. Twenty years ago only a faint whisper proceeded from its votaries. Ten years later they spoke with no uncertain voice. Now as they listen to the murmur of the ocean they chime in with the song - Benedicite, omnia opera (Editor: Bless all the works) - all round the coast … A parallel instance may be seen in the bicycle. From its inception in the thirties under the name of velocipede it lay dormant for half-a-century, after that the principle suddenly assumed a transformation stage, one year vying with another in the invention of mechanical appliances calculated to perfect the now familiar mode of locomotion. What new form and complication it will eventually assume, who can prophesy?

Chapter XII

Individual efforts, backed by the "British Sea Anglers' Society" established a few years ago and now numbering nearly one thousand members, did their level best to tempt anglers to this sea-side resort. Single fares for the return journey; a reduction of from 5 to 10 per cent arranged for at a large number of hotels and boarding houses of this port both on its eastern and western aspects; boatmen interviewed and a decrease promised in the hire of craft - these and other measures were brought to the fore but without avail. All fell flat, mainly due to an indifference displayed by those whose position would have enabled them to lend a helping hand with considerable advantage. Benefit would have accrued to the town, to the boatmen, the Promenade Pier; and the "B.S.A.S." might have been tempted to hold some of its annual competition matches in our waters had Dover been fully alive to its own interests.

Having such a formidable competitor as Deal, this made the matter still more urgent, for there we find a developed organisation. Instead of sneering at anglers and treating them as if belonging to a misguided set of individuals, they lay themselves open to encouragement of every sort - bait obtainable on its pier, reliable gillies to be had when wanted, advice and assistance to those new to the place, as well as great courtesy all round. These are the lines on which to make a place popular, and bring anglers to the front, not the noli me tangere [1], keep your distance, sort of air so conspicuous in this place. Moreover, Dover can boast of certain other attractions when, in bad weather, the angler can amuse himself without feeling oppressed with the cheerless aspect of things outside and within.

From first to last my contention has been to form a Society in order to raise the place above its present level, which might be affiliated to the "B.S.A.S." or act independently. This would tend more than anything else to give the necessary stimulus towards the first requirement - organization. There would be plenty of interesting work for it to accomplish. Periodical meetings to discuss matters piscatorial generally as well as locally, such as the habits, migrations, food and peculiarities of the finny tribe; measures taken to secure any rare specimens which might fall victim to the Varne trawlers and have such preserved; a scheme devised for a more convenient and regular supply of bait of all kinds without the necessity which now exists of having to dive into places afar off and difficult to find; the current literature of the day in the shape of magazines easy of access; boatmen negotiated with and a variety of other matters, all calculated to attract and enhance the value of the place. Nature having provided the fish with no niggardly hand, it remains for the angler to utilise the opportunity offered, not in wholesale, indiscriminate destruction, but with regard to those amenities which regulate the minds of men who view the matter of sport as a trial of skill wherein the former are very heavily handicapped.

The writer has laboured in this direction for some time, but at the period in question the disciples of Walton being few, no headway could be made … Since then matters have improved in this respect …

One of the first, and probably most important as well as difficult matters to arrange will be that regarding a regular supply of bait. To overcome the ultra-conservative ideas and habits of certain people being much on a par with the utility of biting against a file; here will the main obstacle be encountered. An argument with such implies waste of breath and energy; persuasion is delusive and the fortiter in re [2] not to be thought of for a moment, the only remaining weapon is bribery, or let us call it by its popular name - competition. The aim should be to make it worth a man's while to devote himself thoroughly to the business, not by fits and starts as heretofore, but under a contract to do so and so. In justice it must be acknowledged that the supply last year was good and fairly regular. Few could cavil at it, all things considered; and also, one had not to hunt it up first in this street then in that, till the temper showed symptoms of giving way. Than this, nothing could be more unfortunate at the start from being apt to throw a cloud over the whole day's proceedings. A very little of the gall of bitterness is prone to go a long way in most things, angling not excepted. There should be two reliable places where it can be procured, one as central as possible on the east side and one on the west, and the world of trouble such an arrangement would save can only be appreciated by those who have experienced the trial of having had to hunt it out in all manner of places, some not over pleasant to a sensitive organ of smell. Of course such a condition of things should not exist in these enlightened days, nevertheless it does.

Another goal at which my individual efforts have been directed was to establish a bona-fide tackle shop …

Once the bond of union between members of the craft has been drawn tighter, and a "Dover Sea Angling Club" a fact instead of a dream [3], it would be very desirable that the matter of specially constructed boats should engage attention. Almost without exception those at present in use have been constructed mainly for the purpose of taking parties out for a row, and are in consequence not so well adapted for angling purposes as they might be … As compared with the ordinary ones seen on our beach, the main consideration would be - increased strength, more beam, and as much stability as can be imparted, in addition to fenders. A few hours in a boat scarcely able to move or manipulate a rod becomes very irksome and it is often a relief to be able to change one's position without that extreme care now rendered necessary in most cases …

[1] Editor's Note: Noli me tangere, meaning "touch me not", is the Latin version of words spoken, according to John 20:17, by Jesus to Mary Magdalene when she recognized him after his resurrection.

[2] Editor's Note: Claudio Acquaviva (1543 - 1615) was an Italian Jesuit priest elected in 1581 the 5th Superior General of the Society of Jesus. He is often referred to as the second founder of the Jesuit Order. He wrote in "Industriae ad curandos animae morbos" (Curing the illnesses of the soul, §2, 4) about interacting with others that one should not compromise in substance but should present the matter in a gentle way, i.e., fortiter in re, suaviter in modo. This phrase, meaning "resolute in execution, gentle in manner" or "vigorous in deed, gentle in manner" has since become a stock phrase that is also used as the motto of several organizations.

[3] Editor's Note: The Dover Sea Angling Association was formally inaugurated at the Dover Promenade Pier Pavilion on 31st October 2003 when the then Mayor, Councillor F. Wright, chaired a meeting of large numbers of local anglers.

The Daily Express, Monday 23 May 1902 at page 6

Margate and its Attractions

… As regards fishing, we are frequently visited by the British Sea Anglers. Within half a mile of our noted jetty is the patch of rocks known as the Pouting Ground, where pouting, whiting, flat fish, and cod are found in their season, while off the Longnose Buoy is one of the finest grounds for the sea angler to be found round the coast.

The Daily Express, Tuesday 25 November 1902

Sport in a Nutshell

The British Sea Anglers' Society's competition concluded yesterday at Deal in rough weather. Among the day's best captures were a cod of 15 lbs. 14 ozs., landed by Mr. Fryett, and a pollock weighing 11¾ lbs taken by Mr. Edwards. The best twelve whiting yesterday were caught by Mr. Morent, weighing 11 lbs. 12ozs.

The Daily Express, Thursday 19 February 1903

Danger in Food

Need for Antisepticism in Shopping and Cookery

An interesting pamphlet, emphasising some of the dangers to be found in the most commonplace food, has just been published by Sir James Crichton-Browne, the well-known sanitary and food expert … The risk from eating bacilli-infected oysters and cockles is emphasised. "We have much typhoid in store for us" he adds "if oyster cultivation is to go on as heretofore. By all means let us have fresh legislation to protect our rivers from pollution. Oyster fisheries must be put under stringent regulations and regular inspection."

Defending the Oyster

About fifty members and visitors attended the meeting of the British Sea Anglers' Society last night to discuss the oyster scare.

Mr. W. P. Coleman, chairman of the Faversham Oyster Company, said that the tides and sandbanks in the estuary of the Thames were such that it was an utter impossibility for the sludge discharged from the London County Council sewage tanks to reach the Essex and Kent beds.

Dr. Adams, who devoted his speech to the bacteriological aspect of the scare, closed by paying a tribute to the value of the oyster as a highly nutritious food. During the proceedings the company sampled some oysters from the west coast of Ireland.

The Daily Express, Thursday 22 October 1903 at page 7

Novel Sea Angling Craft

Fresh water fishing in British rivers is on the wane. Anglers are turning to the sea. The British Sea Anglers' Society, which held its second annual exhibition in Fetter Lane yesterday, now has 1,000 members.

Among the novelties exhibited was a gallows arrangement with rod attached. By this means the angler can lie at his leisure and watch for a bite. The inventor is an aged member of the Society.

Great progress is shown in the construction of rods for bass, cod, pollack and flounder fishing. Metal winches have "grown"; there were some on view measuring a foot in diameter. A very ingenious "running lead" recently invented for pollack fishing, was also on view.

East Kent Mercury, Saturday, 21 November 1903

British Sea Anglers' Society

Annual Competition

The annual competition took place on the 14th, 15th and 16th inst., at Deal. On Saturday the weather was rough, but the other two days were fine. The results were generally satisfactory, but there was a great scarcity of cod. The total weight of sizeable fish (not under half-pound whiting being weighed in) was upwards of half a ton. The weighing in took place at the Provident Factory (kindly lent by Messrs. West, Usher and Co.), lighted by incandescent lights by Mr. Frost. The whole competition passed off without any untoward event.

East Kent Mercury, Saturday, 28 November 1903

British Sea Anglers' Society

Pier Competition - 21st, 22nd and 23rd November

This annual event, the ninth since its inception, took place on the above dates, and though the number of competitors was not above the average, more than usual interest was manifested by members and their friends, probably on account of the valuable John Bickerdyke silver cup which was, for the first time, offered as a reward to the angler taking the heaviest weight of sizeable fish during the three days of the competition. This cup is held by the winner for twelve months and becomes his absolute property if won three times.

Unfortunately, the weather did not prove conducive to successful angling, the wind being strong and squally, and the water very much discoloured.

A silver medal is awarded each day for the heaviest weight of sizeable fish, the limit of weights being as follows: codling, conger, or dogfish, one pound; whiting, pouting or flat-fish, six ounces. Ample arrangements for weighing in the respective catches had been made in the pavilion, kindly placed at the disposal of the Society by the pier authorities, but the meagre quantity of fish obtained made the duties of the judges and clerk of the scales comparatively light.

The pier was divided for the period of the competition into two series of stations, one for the ebb and the other for the flood tide, and these reserved positions were balloted for each day a quarter of an hour before the time of commencing operations, the time of fishing ranging from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m.

Thirteen competitors came to the post on Saturday, including one lady, but the heavy squalls that prevailed on that day rendered angling operations extremely irksome, and consequent catches were so poor that only four lots of fish were brought to the scales, the highest total falling to Mr. M. R. Birch-Jones, who weighed in nine fish totalling only 4 lbs 14½ ozs.

Seventeen anglers were entered for Sunday, but only eleven of the number put in an appearance, and, though the weather showed marked improvement upon that of the preceding day, sport was all but absent, two competitors not getting the patronage of a single fish throught the entire day.

Only one lady took part in this day's competition and, though well practised in angling pursuits, she met with scant success and did not weigh in her day's catch.

Mr. Frank Elsridge proved the most successful angler on this day, though he only secured one small cod of 6 lbs 7½ ozs., which, however, proved the heaviest fish taken during the three days, and secured for him a silver medal.

Nine members put in an appearance at their allotted stations on Monday, and improved conditions of weather made all hopeful for better sport, but, unfortunately, as the day wore on, these hopes were gradually dispelled. The three lady competitors on this day were not fortunate in their angling, and the honours of the day fell to Mr. G. E. Beasley who had two codling and a pouting weighing in all 6 lbs 12 ozs which secured for him a silver medal and the Bickerdyke Cup, his catch being the heaviest taken throughout the competition. Strange to say, the following day witnessed splendid pier sport, one and all making excellent bags of whiting, which bit ravenously at all proffered baits.

The Daily Express, Wednesday 27 January 1904

A.B.C. Personal

Harvey-MacLeay - Mrs. Hervey-MacLeay, whose remarkable success with the rod has been one of the leading features of the sea-angling season, is a familiar figure in marine pastimes at Deal. Both with the tackle and also in the handling of a boat she displays a thorough all-round knowledge. This accomplished lady is a popular member of the British Sea Anglers' Society, the greatest fishing organisation in the world.

The Daily Express, Monday 15 February 1904

British Sea Anglers' Society

The Duke of Marlborough has consented to preside in March at the annual dinner of the British Sea Anglers' Society. On Saturday the annual report was issued, and shows that during the past year the society has made considerable advance, the members now exceeding 1,000. Arrangements have been made for members to fish at 160 stations round the coast, and during the past season two influential local sea angling associations (Weymouth and Folkestone) have become affiliated to the society.

The club gold medal for the heaviest catch of fish in competition has been won by Mr. B. F Stratton with a catch weighing 81 lbs 1 oz. This specimen fish cup is held by Sir. C. W. Croft-Handley, and the pier cup has been secured by Mr. G. E. Beasley.

The Daily Express, Tuesday 16 August 1904

What to do at the Seaside

The Growth of South-Eastern Resorts

Places for Anglers

…

Deal is an excellent centre for deep-sea fishing. The British Sea Anglers' Society have an active branch here. Mr. E. Hanger is the local secretary. There is good bathing from the machines on the foreshore. Mixed bathing is not allowed, although at Kingsdown, a mile or so along the front, bathing en famille from tents takes place. Sea excursions are run daily to neighbouring coast towns, and across Channel once or twice a week in the season. Private apartments can be obtained for as little as 30s. a week.

The South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 29 November 1904 at page 6

Deal

Angling

The concluding day's sport of the British Sea Angling Society at Deal on Monday was better than any in the competition. The weather conditions were perfect, with a calm sea. There were 34 competitors, and the heaviest fish, taken during the day was a cod by F. Smith, weighing 10 lb. 8oz. F. A. Woolf caught the heaviest twelve whiting, which turned the scale at 10 lb. 2oz. The second best cod secured in the competition was by Ryatt, weighing 9 lb. 13 oz. W. J. Reynolds took twelve fine, whiting weighing 8 lb. 7 oz., while a lady angler, Mrs. Willing, made a catch of nine whiting which weighed 8 lb. 13 oz. The prize winners are to be decided by the Committee in London.

"An Angler's Year" (1904) Charles S. Patterson at pages 182, 187, 188 & 191

Deal, owing to the difficulty of getting off, is only to be recommended if the wind be light or blowing from the S.S.W. to N.N.W., as the beach is very exposed, and anything over a gentle breeze from eastwards, especially E.N.E., brings in a heavy sea, and moreover drives the fish out to sea. Also, if a strong S.S.W. gale blow, though the wind be all right for embarking and landing, yet the water is so thickened that good sport cannot be counted on. It is therefore wise that all intending fishermen should be members of the B.S.A.S., as the agent, Mr. Edward Hanger, "The Napier," Beach Street, Deal, will be pleased to answer a prepaid telegram, giving information as to fishing prospects, to any member who may apply.

The Deal boatmen are legion, and good men can be got at either end of the town.

The boatmen's charges are, as a rule, moderate, the British Sea Angler's Society having a tariff with their own men. This sum includes the services of a man and bait, but occasionally the average supply of both has to be supplemented if the tides are unfavourable or the sea rough.

In November, 1897, the British Sea Anglers held their competition late in the month, and I had the pleasure of fishing on one of the days with a gentleman who was judging. After the last of the competitors had gone off we decided that, as nothing more remained to be done till the return of the boats, we might as well go and do a little fishing ourselves. So, hailing our boatman and getting our things together, we launched about ten o'clock and hoisted sail.

The nice northerly breeze quickly took us to our ground north of the Brake Buoy, and, dropping anchor, we presented our baits to the fishes; sprat on the upper and lug on the lower hook. The tide was nearly slack, and rapidly failing; nevertheless, the whiting bit freely, and we quickly commenced to fill our fibh-tub. As is usual at Deal, each fisherman had a large hook near his lead baited with lug, on the look-out for cod, and as the ebb set in my boat companion hooked a fine fellow. Time and again did our angler wind up his fish, to be obliged to let him run ten or fifteen yards off the reel with a rush during his downward plunges. Five minutes brought our fish within reach of Bob's gaff, and a dexterous move tumbled him into the boat, where immediately the hook came away. He was in good condition, and weighed about 15lbs. After this our other fish, which were small, appeared smaller, and but little enthusiasm was shown when, on pulling up, an extra tug was felt and a fish of about 1½ft. in length was drawn close up to the boat and lost: there is little doubt, from the play and also from the brief glance one got of him, that he was a "Fordwich trout", as a sea-trout, bearing all the characters of these fish, was taken the week previously by one of the Deal amateurs, boat-fishing with sprat bait. (This fish is now in the special department of the Natural History Museum at South Kensington). The tide becoming stronger, the fish turned shy, while the breeze that brought us out was conspicuous by its absence; so getting to our oars we started for home, there to await the returning competitors. Our little take, in four hours, was eleven score of whiting, a few pout, seven dabs, and one cod of 15lbs.

Of the competitors' takes that day the following may be noted: One cod 18½lbs. (on sprat bait), one cod 18lbs. (on soft crab bait), one cod 17lbs., and one conger 15lbs. Such sport may be enjoyed by any fair angler during the months of November and December, if the sprats are in and the weather is favourable. It may be said here that during the last few years magnificent sport has been had at Deal during the month of November with conger. The large congers seem to follow the whiting inshore, and specimens of from 14lbs. to 20lbs. are frequently taken.

In 1898 specimens of 18½lbs., 19½lbs., 21½lbs., and 26¾lbs. were taken; while in the British Sea Anglers' Competition, 1899, the gold medal was taken by a gentleman with a conger of 29½lbs., and another competitor took one 24½lbs. The winner, Mr. W. T. Green, also took another fine fish 21½lbs. the same day.

As far as I am aware the 29½lbs. fish was up to last year the largest ever taken with rod and line in the United Kingdom.

… Meanwhile, Captain Doughty, of Walmer, the then local agent of the British Sea Anglers' Society, came out and anchored alongside us in his little 12 foot yawl. Just as he arrived I got a couple of whiting, and my friend another codling. The cod, however, would have nothing to say to the Captain's stale sprats, although he got hold of a few nice whiting. We, however, kept hooking codling, my boatmate getting another 7-pounder to match mine. By a quarter-past three the ebb tide came through, and fish left off biting; and as there was no wind we started to row back to Deal again over the tide. By the time we got half way darkness was setting in, and we required all our wraps, even when rowing, to keep out the cold. By a few minutes past four we were ashore and hauling the boat up. Our total catch on fresh sprat bait was 24 codling, of which my friend took ten, the writer seven, and the boatman seven, and seven score of fine whiting and large pouting, altogether a fair day for so late in the year in a very disappointing season.

"The Rise and Progress of Sea Angling" (1905) Frederick George Aflalo (one of the founders of the British Sea Anglers Society)

At the dinner recently held by the British Sea Anglers' Society, with the Duke of Marlborough in the chair, it was made known that the membership exceeded a thousand. This remarkable success of an angling club founded only in 1893 invites a brief investigation of the conditions under which the sport of fishing in the sea with fine tackle has come so rapidly to the front as to occupy an increasing share of attention on the part of yachting men and all classes of anglers, besides newspaper editors (who, ten years ago, would hardly look at an article on the subject, and nowadays rarely return one), and the manufacturers and vendors of fishing tackle.

The ancient Greek held that it was a kinder fate to be poor on land than rich at sea, and there is some evidence that his contemporaries, wisely distrusting their fragile barks to the varying humours of the treacherous Mediterranean, did most of their fishing with long rods from the rocks that gird their beautiful native coast.

Between those remote ages, however, and the modern period of sea-angling lies a gap of centuries. Sea-fishing, like golf, holds out attractions to both young and old, offering moderate exercise in the fresh air to those who have reached years of discretion that wince from the violent activities of wading for salmon or stalking trout. The late Mr. Wilcocks, regarded as the father of modern writers on the subject, sent me an enthusiastic letter within a few weeks of his death at an advanced age. The sport keeps such men young. The Latin line "Non omnis ætas, Lyde, ludo convenit" which an aspiring army candidate once rendered "You don't want to go on rotting all your life, Daisy!" holds no threat for them. Whom the gods love die young; whom they love still better never grow old.

Like many other developments of to-day, the most complete and rapid advance in sea angling for sport has been consummated in North America, where sea anglers organise costly campaigns against the big game of the ocean jungle with the lightest of implements, battling, till daylight fails, with silver tarpon or leaping tuna, killing fishes the length of their own boat on a little rod that looks more suited to the despatch of Norfolk pike. One man handing the rod to the other and back again until the fish is finally over-powered. Less strenuous is the mood of the British sea-angler when he goes in quest of bass or lythe, yet even here the familiarity thus engendered with the sea which surrounds his island home is in itself a strong argument in favour of this healthy pastime. It is a familiarity which never breeds contempt, but rather an appreciation of the dangers and difficulties of navigation and a keenness to master them.

What has, without doubt, proved a strong incentive in the growing popularity of sea-fishing is the heavier expense of first-class sport in fresh water, particularly within reach of London and other great centres. Those with plenty of time and no occupation on their hands can contrive, with a little discrimination, to find excellent free salmon fishing in Lapland and abundance of free trout fishing as near as Scotland or Norway. But, for the busy professional man who resides in the metropolis, trout fishing is either very remote or very expensive: an annual subscription of fifty guineas, by no means excessive, for the advantages offered by a new trout-fishing club recently started in Surrey, may be regarded as a fair case in point. For the enthusiastic London angler, then, who has no soul for fishless hours passed on the lower reaches of the Thames, and no pocket for the artificial abundance of a newly stocked Surrey lake, there is the sea, free to all, teeming with fish for those who know how and where to seek it, health-giving, inviting, irresistible.

The increasing obstacles in the way of good trout or coarse fishing have proved a serious encouragement to sea-fishing only during the past quarter of a century, if as long. The ancient Briton, the Englishman of the Middle Ages, of the Tudor, Stuart and early Hanoverian periods caught their fish in rivers and ponds. Fishing in the sea was confined to the fisherfolk who lived on the seashore, and it is impossible to trace the ancestry of our modern sea-angling back to a period anterior to the second decade of the nineteenth century.

There may be several ways of following the development of the sport from its crude beginnings about the period of Waterloo, but the library furnishes the simplest, and the naïvely self-satisfied prefaces of half a dozen early works on the subject will tell us all that we want to know.

"Patience on a Pier" (Deal)

The excellent T. F. Salter, [4] gentleman, who lived in the once fashionable suburb of Stoke Newington, after his retirement from retail trade, regarded sea-fishing only as a pis aller [1] for idlers or convalscents stranded by the sea. It is, however, difficult to realise, in these days of radium and motor cars, the disabilities which must at that time have attended a journey to the seaside, though readers of Thackeray will be able to appreciate the drawbacks. Mr. Salter, gentleman (I hesitate to omit the specific name claimed by himself), offered his hints on sea-fishing, in his own words "to lovers of angling who may reside on the sea coast, or those whose business, pleasure, ill health or any other cause, may occasion a visit, voyage or residence on the shores of the sea". Nor was the sport in much more general favour when, nearly a half century later, Mr. Lord [5] wrote a handbook on the sport, addressing his remarks to those who, driven by a variety of circumstances to the seashore, might there welcome a new pastime to relieve the boredom of such an existence. That was an age when the royal and ancient game of golf kept its place north of the border, and every wild green within sound of the waves was not dotted with restless specks of red. Even Captain Lambton Young, [6] who wrote in the early eighteen-seventies, merely ventured to express a faint hope that those who go to the sea each summer may "make sea-fishing in all its branches a distinct pursuit quite as much as salmon fishing, grouse shooting, or any other of the many sports which have become necessary to the existence of the wealthier classes".

Captain Young wrote of halcyon days, when sea fish were more plentiful in our bays and inshore waters than they are to-day. It is only fair to remember this, else one would blame the author for dismissing all the arts of pollack fishing in twenty lines.

The next work of importance was by the late Mr. J. C. Wilcocks, [3] whose manual, particularly as it relates to fishing with the hand-line, is still the standard work on the subject.

To that skilful fisherman and engaging writer who is known to his many readers as "John Bickerdyke", [2] perhaps belongs the title of pioneer in the literature of sea angling as we understand it to-day. His many works on the subject [7] mark a new era in the applied theory of the sport. He was, moreover, at the time of the first jubilee, singularly favoured by circumstances. Not only was the way for a wider popularity of sea-fishing paved by the increasing depletion of our rivers, but the cheaper fares and quicker journeys, instituted by the enterprise of many railway companies whose systems link London with the sea, yearly brought sea-fishing more and more within reach of London's millions.

The increasing scarcity of good fishing in fresh water is perhaps among the chief reasons of the growing favour which sea-angling has of late found with London anglers. The society aforementioned, though its membership is drawn from almost every seaside county in the island, consists largely of London members, and by far the greater proportion of these have at one time or other enjoyed good sport with trout or pike or other inland fish; yet even coarse fishing is becoming a pastime for those only who can afford to pay. Most of the best pike caught in Norfolk come from private Broads, and, for all that has been said, or that can be said, against private ownership in such tidal stretches, we know perfectly well that if the whole system of the Broads were thrown open in the summer for free fishing, next year, or perhaps the year after, the fishing would be too poor to attract anyone but those who reside in the neighbourhood.

What may, however, be regretted in parenthesis is that, whenever it is found necessary to clear a lake of its pike and other coarse fish in order to introduce trout, the banished fish could not be carted alive to some neighbouring public water instead of being left to die on the banks. Mr. Halford, in his interesting autobiography, [8] relates the eviction of upwards of three thousand pike from the Kennet, and why these could not have been turned into the Lea or Thames I am sure I do not know.

The modern purist insists that sea angling must be done with a rod, else it is not sea angling at all. "Capianter arundine pisces" is the badge of the Society, and the majority of its members look askance at a hand-line, much as a pike-fishing enthusiast might look at a ligger. [9] Now, I have always, personally, taken a middle course between those who prefer the hand-line and those who will have nothing but the rod. When and where the rod can be used with advantage, then I admit that it gives the finest sport. Yet I have memories of night fights with conger and day fights with sharks in which most rods would have cut a very poor figure.

Let me, however, put in one claim to respectability. When I do fish with a rod, as for big bass, it is generally with a much lighter weapon than that used by the majority of rod-fishers in the sea - a trout-rod, in fact.

The actual use of the rod in sea fishing is mentioned in a work as old as 1764, in which the ill-fated George Glas, who was afterwards murdered at sea by mutineers, describes the rod-fishing of Spaniards on the Morocco coast. [10] Again, in a quaint work, a kind of ancestor of the "Encyclopædia of Sport", entitled "The Sportsman's Dictionary, or the Gentleman's Companion for Town and Country", published in the year 1778, there is an article on "Rock Fishing". [14] This treats of fishing with the hand-line only, but it contains one amazing piece of information to the effect that mackerel can be taken only when the boat is anchored. As the modern practice is to catch the mackerel under sail, or, at any rate, rowing among the shoals, it would look as if it were not so old as is commonly claimed for it; and the manner in which I have seen mackerel caught from anchored boats only in the Straits of Gibraltar and in several spots in the Mediterranean lends colour to this view.

I do not feel much attracted by this quibble over rod or hand-line. An angler is surely any man who fishes with a fish-hook and not with a net. Let me in support of this contention quote the respectable Comenius (1658), who puts it thus: "An angler fisheth with a hook, whereon having put a bait, whatsoever fish being allured, biteth at it, he is taken." [11]

This claim, therefore, to superiority by use of the rod in sea fishing, even where the hand-line is the more proper method, savours somewhat of the hauteur of "Non Angli sed angeli". [12]

There are some who affect to despise sea angling as coarse sport, lower even than bobbing for eels or tickling tench. The strongest argument against so ill-mannered an aspersion seems to me to lie in the fact that many distinguished anglers have owned at one time or another to a passing fondness for a day with the mackerel or bass. Mr. Halford, high priest of the chalk stream, confesses to many a delightful day on the dancing waves off Scarborough, Eastbourne and Ilfracombe and calls the mackerel the gamest fish for its size that swims. Mr. Senior, [13] the friend of the grayling, whose angling career has been equally distinguished by the waterside and in the editorial chair, has taken his readers after the Queensland palmer and schnapper. A distinguished member of the Consular service, with opportunities of every kind of fishing, sets a high value on his long and varied sea angling experience off Mogador, Genoa and Calais. "John Bickerdyke" himself writes with equal facility of the capture of bass or barbel, shark or salmon, grayling or gurnard.

"Baiting the Hook"

The vast army of enthusiasts who fish from pier, boat or beach no longer confine their activities to the warm summer holiday, when all the family revels at the edge of the sea. The coldest days of winter see the members of the B.S.A.S. fishing in force at Deal, while the sea angling festivals so popular nowadays at many fashionable resorts owe much of their local support to the fact that they attract visitors out of the regular season.

The sport of sea angling, which has made wonderful strides during the past quarter of a century, will, if the signs are not misleading, go still further during the next quarter. It has everything in its favour, though the more extended restocking of inland waters may from time to time create a reversion of public favour to the roach and carp. Yet such revival can be transient only, and the vast, illimitable sea will always be there as the stand-by of the angler, free to all, ever ready with fresh surprises, less peaceful, perhaps, than the river or Broad, but also more invigorating, more inexpensive, yielding fish that are a delight to the cook, as well as to the sportsman. Sea angling has come to stay. So has the motor car, yet neither will ever be at a standstill.

[1] Editor's note: a "pis aller" translates as a last resort or stopgap.

[2] Editor's note: "John Bickerdyke" was the nom de plume of Charles Henry Cook, not J. C. Wilcocks - see page 57 of The Salt of My Life (1905) Frederick George Aflalo: "… Mr. C. H. Cook, better known in the angling world as John Bickerdyke …"

[3] Editor's note: James Carrall Wilcocks was the author of

• The Sea-Fisherman or Fishing Pilotage (1865)
• Fishing at Sea: A Complete Guide to Hook and Line Fishing and Boating (1884)

[4] Editor's note: Thomas Frederick Salter was the author of The Angler's Guide (1814)

[5] Editor's note: Sea Fish & How to Catch Them (1862) William Barry Lord

[6] Editor's note: Sea-fishing as a Sport: being an account of the various kinds of sea fish, how, when, and where to catch them in their various seasons and localities (1865) Lambton J. H. Young

[7] Editor's note: John Bickerdyke's "many works on the subject" of sea fishing include:

1. Angling in Salt Water: A Practical Work on Sea Fishing with Rod and Line from the Shore, Piers, Jetties, Rocks and from Boats (1887)
2. The Book of the all-round Angler: a Comprehensive Treatise on Angling in both Fresh and Salt Water (1888)
3. The Badminton Library: Modern Sea Fishing (1895)
4. Days of my Life on Waters Fresh and Salt, and other Papers (1895)
5. Practical Letters to Young Sea Fishers (1898)
6. Sea Fishing: Whippings, Servings, Knots, Hooks and Sundry Wrinkles (1898)

[8] Editor's note: An Angler's Autobiography (1903) by Frederic Michael Halford (13 April 1844 to 5 March 1914), pseudonym "Detached Badger", who was a wealthy and influential British angler and fly fishing author and who is most noted for his development and promotion of the dry fly technique on English chalk streams. He is generally accepted as the father of modern dry fly fishing.

[9] Editor's note: a ligger is a baited line attached to a float used at night for catching pike.

[10] Editor's note: George Glas (1725 to 30 November 1765) was a Scottish seaman and merchant adventurer in West Africa. In 1764 he published The History of the Discovery and Conquest of the Canary Islands which he had translated from the manuscript of an Andalusian monk named Juan Abreu de Galindo, then recently discovered at La Palma. To this Glas added a description of the islands, a continuation of the history and an account of the manners, customs, trade, etc., of the inhabitants, displaying considerable knowledge of the archipelago. An account of the local fishermen using rods to catch fish can be found at pages 336 and 337 (see full text below). In October 1765 Glas, with his wife and child, set sail for England on board the barque "Earl of Sandwich". On 30th November 1765 the Spanish and Portuguese members of the crew, who had learned that the ship contained much treasure, mutinied, killing the captain and passengers - Glas was stabbed to death and his wife and daughter thrown overboard. The murderers were afterwards captured and hanged at Dublin.

"The place on the coast of Barbary where they go to fish is according to the season of the year. This fishery is bounded on the north by the southern extremity of Mount Atlas, or by the latitude of twenty-nine degrees north; and on the south by Cape Blanco in the latitude of twenty degrees thirty minutes north: the whole length of the sea-coast so bounded is about six hundred miles. In all this extensive tract there is no town, village or settled habitation; the few wandering Arabs who frequent this part of the world live in tents, and have neither barks, boats, nor canoes: the King of Morocco's cruisers never venture so far to the southward; for were they to attempt such a thing, it is not probable they would be able to find the way back to their own country, so that the Canarians have nothing to fear from that quarter. In the spring season the fishermen go on the coast to the northward, but in the autumn and winter to the southward; because in the spring the fish frequent the coast to the northward, and afterwards go gradually along the shore to the southward.

The first thing the fishermen set about when they arrive on the coast, is to catch bait; this is done in the same manner as we do trouts with a fly, only with this difference, that the rod is thrice as thick as ours, and not tapered away so much towards the point. The line is made of six small brass wires, twisted together; the hook is about five inches long, and is not bearded; the shaft is leaded so as it may lie horizontally on the surface of the water; and the hook is covered with a fish's skin, except from where it bends, to the point; then getting within a quarter or half a mile of the shore, they carry so much sail as to cause the bark to run at the rate of four miles an hour, when two or three men throw their lines over the stern and let the hooks drag along the surface of the water: the fish, taking the hooks for small fish, snap at them, and, when hooked, the fishermen swing them into the barks with their rods. The Canarians call these fish Taffarte: they have no scales, and are shaped like mackarel, but as large as salmon; they are exceeding voracious, and swallow all the hook, notwithstanding its being so large; if it was bearded, there could be no such thing as extracting it without cutting open the fish: I have seen three men in the stern of a bark catch an hundred and fifty taffarte in half an hour. It sometimes happens that a bark will complete her lading with these fish only. Another sort of fish, which these people call Anhoua, is taken in the same manner; this is something bigger than a large mackerel, and serves as well as the taffarte for bait. There is another sort of bait called Cavallos, or little horse-mackerel, which is shaped like a mackerel, but something more flat and broad; it is about a span long, and is catched with an angling-rod and line with a very small hook, baited with almost any thing that comes to hand. When a bark has got a sufficient stock of bait, she leaves her boat, with five or six men, near the shore, to catch taffarte and anhoua, and runs out to sea a good distance off, until she gets into fifteen, twenty, thirty, forty, or perhaps fifty or sixty fathoms depth of water, where she anchors, and all the crew heave their lines and hooks overboard, baited with taffarte, anhoua, &c. and fish for Samas, or bream as we call them, and for Cherney, or cod. The lines are all leaded in order to cause the hooks to sink near to the bottom of the sea, where these fish swim. When a bark is so fortunate as to meet with fine weather, and is well provided with bait, she will be able to complete her cargo in four days. This I have often had opportunity to observe. But as the trade or north-east wind commonly blows freshly on that coast, the barks only anchor in the offing about mid-day, when there is a lull between the land and sea-breeze; and when this last-mentioned wind begins to blow fresh, they weigh their anchors, stand in to shore, and come to an anchor in some bay, or under a head-land, and then the crew fall to work, clean and salt the fish which they catched that day: by the time this is done it is about five or six o'clock in the evening, when they go to dinner or supper, for they make but one meal the whole day, which they cook in the following manner: in every bark the crew has a long flat-stone for a hearth, upon which they kindle a fire, and hang a large kettle over it, in which they boil some fish; they then take a platter, and put some broken biscuit in it, with onions shred small, to this they add some pepper and vinegar, and then pour in the broth of the fish: no sort of soup or broth is more delicious than this. After having eaten of this excellent soup, they finish their meal with roasted fish, for they throw the boiled fish, of which the soup was made, into the sea. Soon after this repast, every man looks about for the most commodious place where to fall asleep, for no bedding are made use of in these vessels. About five or six in the morning they get up, leave the boat near the shore, weigh anchor and stand out to sea as before, and never take victuals before the same time next evening. No man who knows the toil, fatigue, cold, and heat which these fishermen undergo, will ever charge the Spaniards with laziness."

[11] Editor's note: Orbis Pictus, or Orbis Sensualium Pictus (Visible World in Pictures) is a textbook for children written by Czech educator John Amos Comenius and published in 1658. It is something of a children's encyclopædia and is considered to be the first picture book intended for children. In dealing with the art of fishing, he says:

"A fisher layeth in wait for fishes; the greater ones swimming at the top he striketh with a fish-spear; the lesser ones swimming against the stream he allureth with rushy bow-nets, sunk weeks (whereinto when they are once gotten they cannot get forth) the deeper ones he draweth out of the river with a purse-net or trammel: out of a lake with a sweep-net and drags (which sink by reason of the plummets hanged at the bottom, and float by reason of the corks on the top; but they have a different wideness of the mashes according to the bigness of the fishes: part of that which is catched he selleth; part he putteth up in repositories, from whence when there is need he taketh them out with a ware-net: part he picketh for salt fish. An angler fisheth with a hook whereon having put a bait, whatsoever fish being allured, biteth at it, he is taken."

[12] Editor's note: "Non angli sed angeli" from the famous pun of Pope Gregory I, known as Saint Gregory the Great, who was Pope from 3rd September 590 to his death on 12th March 604, which he made upon meeting children from England in the slave market at Rome, as recorded by the Venerable Bede in his Ecclesiastical History of England (Book II, Chapter I): "Not Angles, but angels." This encounter, according to Bede, prompted the Pope to initiate an apostolic mission to Britain to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity.

[13] Editor's note: William Senior (1837 - 1920) was an Anglo-Australian journalist, angler, Chief Hansard Short Hand Writer, co-founder of Brisbane's famed Johnsonian Club, editor and author who wrote under the nom de plume "Red Spinner". In 1881 he became editor-in-chief of the sports journal The Field of which journal he was formerly the angling editor. He wrote for, and edited, this journal for over twenty-five years.

[14] Editor's note: The Sportsman's Dictionary, or the Gentleman's Companion for Town and Country (1778):

"ROCK-FISHING, is to be followed only during the summer season, and is chiefly practised in the south and south-west parts of England, and in some places in Ireland. In this last mentioned country, the rocks of Dunleary, which are eight or ten miles in length, and the nearest part about five miles eastward of Dublin, are remarkable for this way of fishing.

When you fish for haddocks, your lines must be deep in the water, and your hook baited with two or three lob-worms: your tackle must be strong; for they struggle hard, especially if they have arrived to a tolerable growth.

As to the other part of sea-fishing, namely, in a ship under sail, your line ought to be sixty fathom in length, having a large hook affixed to it, and a piece of lead sufficient to keep it as deep under water as possible. Your line must be made of hemp, and fastened to the gunwale of the ship.

Cod, Mackerel, and large Haddock, are the fish usually taken in this way, and sometimes ling: the bait for them, except for the mackerel, is a piece of raw beef, and it is scarce possible to feel either of them bite, even though you hold the line in your hand, by reason of the continual motion of the ship.

It is in vain to fish for Mackerel, except when the ship lies by, or is becalmed. A piece of scarlet cloth hung upon a hook, is the first bait that is used, which never fails of answering the intent it was designed for. And when you have taken a mackerel, cut a thin piece off from the tail, a little above, the fin, and place it upon your hook, and you need not fear taking many of them. Thus one or two will serve for baits, till you are tired with the sport. One mackerel, if dressed as soon as it is taken, will be preferable to a dozen that are brought to shore.

They who divert themselves with catching crabs, should bait their hooks with chicken-guts, or with the guts of fish; and when they bring a crab near the furface of the water, have their landing-net ready, or weigh him on shore with all the expedition imaginable."

"The Salt of My Life" (1905) Frederick George Aflalo at pages 56, 57 & 58

Early Memories

More than one reference has been made to the British Sea Anglers' Society; and, as not many of the original members continue to take active part in its administration, which is nevertheless in the hands of an energetic committee that it would be hard to equal and perhaps impossible to beat, it may perhaps be of interest if I set down, as I have not seen it given elsewhere, a brief account of the circumstances that led to its inception twelve years ago. Of these I may be supposed to have some knowledge, for, little use as I have been to it during these last few busy years, it is a matter of great pride to me to remember that this prosperous society, numbering over a thousand members, had its origin in a short article which I wrote on the subject of such a society in the early days of 1892. The article was offered to the angling editor (now the editor) of the Field and by him rejected for want of space. Sea-angling, it must be remembered, was not treated at that time with the indulgence accorded to it by editors today, and Mr. Senior had to be careful not to give undue prominence to a comparatively unknown sport. Later that year a little paper called Pleasure, since extinct, projected a series of articles on Pleasure Clubs, and, as a natural sequence, "Why not a Sea-Fishing Club ?" appeared with the rest. It was read by a very energetic journalist and fisherman, Mr. Shrubsole, then connected with another sporting paper, also defunct, but very admirable at its best - I allude to Rod and Gun, then edited by Mr. D. S. Meldrum, and owned by Mr. Watson Lyall - and he begged me to convene a meeting that might give shape to my proposals. "Fools step in where angels fear to tread," and without a moment's hesitation I acted on the suggestion. The meeting was held in a room in Swallow Street on February 3rd, 1893, and Mr. C. H. Cook, better known in the angling world as John Bickerdyke, was good enough to take the chair. Among those present was the late Gerald Geoghegan, a keen sea-fisherman and a warm supporter of the Society almost to the day of his tragic end. As a result of the meeting, a provisional committee was formed, and within a week Sir Edward Birkbeck, Bt., then in the House of Commons and closely identified with the sea-fishing industry, was persuaded to accept the presidency. Mr. R. B. Martin, M.P., was shortly afterwards elected Hon. Treasurer, and the secretarial duties fell to myself. In that capacity, since a labour of love always engages our best efforts, I posted within the next three months upwards of fourteen hundred autograph letters. By the end of March, the membership was sixty; a month later it had increased to one hundred and thirty; and in the spring of 1895, when, on my departure for the Colonies, I had to relinquish my duties to a successor, we numbered over three hundred. To-day, thanks to the untiring labours of an able committee, the Society has upwards of a thousand members and may at length be said to be doing some of the useful work, of which, with the limited material at their disposal, its first promoters could only dream.

In thus giving these few details of the founding of the B.S.A.S., as it likes to be called, I have anticipated the following chapter in point of time. Most of my fishing in the years 1890 and 1891 was done in other seas than our own.

The Daily Mirror, Thursday 10 October 1907 at page 13

Last Night's News Items

To enable anglers to see the latest inventions for catching sea fish the British Sea Anglers' Society opened an exhibition of sea tackle at Clifford's Inn Hall yesterday.

The Daily Mirror, Monday 2 December 1907 at page 14

Sporting News Items

Mrs. MacLeay caught the heaviest single fish (11 lb, l0 oz.) and the best basket at the annual boat competition of the British Sea Anglers' Society at Deal on Saturday.

The Daily Mirror, Tuesday 4 August 1908

With Rod and Line

Angling Competitions at the Seaside in Which Feminine Experts Have Excelled

In the realm of sport woman has made vast strides of late years, but in no branch more so than in the difficult art of angling.

An auspicious reason for the patronage angling has enjoyed of late years amongst women is to be found in the fact that many members of our Royal Family, headed by the Queen, who throws her artificial bait with the aid of a light rod inlaid with gold, follow it.

Princess Louise (Duchess of Argyll), who caught salmon with rare skill in Canada; the Duchess of Fife, who teaches the young idea to fish at Mar Lodge, on the Dee, and who took a salmon weighing 16 lb. a few years ago; and Princess Victoria are all keen fisherwomen, and their example has been widely followed notably by Princess Victoria Louise, the German Emperor's only daughter, who, when only ten years of age participated in a fishing holiday at Codinem.

It is not given to everyone to enjoy opportunities such as those which enabled the Duchess of Roxburghe last year to secure the finest salmon a monster scaling 37 lb. on the Floors Castle stretch of the Tweed; but as year succeeds year more women mark down the finny quarry as their prey, and the list of feminine competitors at the annual angling competitions at the seaside grows longer.

Early last year, when two fair anglers were fishing at Port Phillip, Victoria, with rod and line they landed within an hour seventy small sharks, ranging from 18 in to 2 ft. in length. In the waters round our shores the shark, fortunately, is not a frequent visitor, and, indeed, this Australian experience differs considerably from that obtaining at the average English angling competition in the amount of excitement engendered per hour.

Thus at Clacton last year, where a most successful contest was held, Miss A. Hawkes, with 18 lb. 3 oz., was easily first, beating Miss Dyer's record by over 3 lb., though the last-mentioned angler won the second prize, and the total catch of all the competitors did not exceed two and a quarter hundredweight.

Another competition held at Clacton, which extended over three days, resulted in Mrs. J. W. Nunn winning a gold medal for the best three catches from the pier, a noteworthy feat recalling Mrs. Gilbert's achievement of landing a cod of 17½ lb, at the Folkestone festival whereby she won a prize for landing the heaviest fish in the competition.

That a ladies' sea-angling competition, when properly managed, is a very popular seaside event was clearly indicated last season at Deal, where Lady George Hamilton distributed the prizes, clad, some in fishing garb and some in motor costume, fifty ladies lined up on Deal Pier and fished as hard as they could from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., regardless of the salvos of applause that greeted each catch and the fusillade of snapshots that battalions of camera-owners fired at them. The first prize was awarded to Miss Edith Turner with a catch of 4 lb. 8 oz.

In 1906, when a two-days' fishing competition was held at the Cinque Port under the auspices of the British Sea-Anglers' Society, much better sport was enjoyed, and the winner obtained 64 lb. 4½ oz. of fish, as compared to 51 lb. 7 oz. by the best lady angler who, with the said catch, won the second prize …

When we read of Miss J. Kerr, another expert fisherwoman, landing 13 1b. cod at Deal, and Miss Chambers and Mrs. Rice capturing Clacton's angling prizes with very useful catches, the fact that in angling croquet, the only sport at which woman is believed to compete with man on absolute equality, has a serious rival, will not require insisting on. The woman angler has undoubtedly come to stay, and will be aided in her strife for laurels by her characteristic patience and perseverance.

Surely sustained by these qualities was Mrs. Pulford, who, in 1906, won a Yarmouth fishing competition. Her pertinacity was rewarded by the receipt of a clock.

In France, where angling is a most popular amusement, women are also experts. Mme. Tusserand a few years ago beat all her male competitors, to the number of 200, in a competition decided on the Upper Seine, and thereby secured a handsome silver cup presented by M. Waldeck-Rousseau, then Premier of France, himself a very keen fisherman.

The Daily Express, Saturday 22 January 1910

Cult of the Rod and Line

… Mr. Edgar Hyde will read a paper on "Sea Tackle" before the members of the British Sea Anglers' Society at 4 Fetter Lane, E.C. next Wednesday.

"Deal and Walmer Angling Association: a history from 1904 to 1990" (2002) Marcel Baut at pages 21, 23, 27, 31 to 33, 35, 37, 41, 45, 47 & 48

The Dawn

In the latter part of 1903 a few very keen Deal anglers were fishing off the beach of Deal, when the idea came to them: why not form an Angling Club and this is where it all began. So enthusiastic were they, that they started to have discussions with other interested parties, and having gathered many keen anglers like themselves, together they decided to hold a meeting. Their very first meetings were held at various locations in Deal.

In early 1904 the Club was formed and it was decided to call the new Club the "Deal & District Angling Association" - to be changed later to its present title.

In 1904 committees were formed and competitions were held right through the year …

22nd August 1905 - A.G.M. held at the Town Hall

(Mr Percy C. Edgar, Chairman) considered that if the Association went on as it had commenced, it would not be very long before they would be able to affiliate with the British Sea Anglers' Society. A great many of those who had become members of this Association were already members of the B.S.A.S. They all knew that Deal derived a great many benefits from that Society, which helped in many ways. This being the headquarters of the B.S.A.S., where a vast number of the members came, the local Association ought to get a good number of them as members, if only to have a place where they could leave their rods.

21st November 1905

The Deal and District Angling Association was affiliated to the British Sea Anglers' Society, 4 Fetter Lane, London EC in the latter part of 1905.

13th August 1906

At a Special General Meeting it was decided to change the title of the Association from the Deal & District Angling Association to the present day's title "Deal & Walmer Angling Association".

28th September 1906

The first A.G.M. held at the Town Hall under the Association's new title.

…

Mr. P. C. Edgar (Chairman) mentioned that now the Association was affiliated with the B.S.A.S. that members were by this means entitled to the privileges offered by that Society. Amongst these privileges were the use of the Society's rooms in Fetter Lane, and the recognised B.S.A.S. tariff for boats, bait, hotels, boarding houses etc., throughout the seaside towns and angling resorts of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The Committee wish to draw attention to the alteration made in the title of the Association at a special general meeting, held on August 13th. In making this alteration they hope it will be productive of much support to the Association and be the means of bringing the two resorts into nearer touch in the interests of angling.

The membership now numbers 217.

The President, Alderman F.H.J. Hayward, referring to the recent incorporation of the name Walmer in the title of the Association, though they all felt pleased that they had joined hands, thus making these united towns the finest places for sea angling. He much preferred to see the two working together than independently.

24th November 1906

For the second year in succession the D & W.A.A. had taken advantage of the annual competitions of the British Sea Anglers' Society at Deal to entertain their visiting brethren to the gentle craft.

The courtesy took the form of a smoking concert at the Theatre Royal, which was in every way a thorough success. Every endeavour had been made to ensure that the welcome accorded to the visitors should be of the heartiest possible description.

The building was decorated with flags, the front of the gallery having the pennants of the Society and of the Association side by side. The stage was adorned with palms and chrysanthemums.

Outside were two capital cartoons from the artistic brush of Mr. A.M. Young. One depicted a pair of oil-skinned rodsmen with hands grasped, and the glass of one raised in salutation, the other cartoon was an emblematic device representing an angler surrounded with implements and trophies of his craft, and with cross rods, from which depended two flags with the respective initials "B.S.A.S." and "D. & W.A.A." and here was also the lengend "Welcome, brother anglers".

The Mayor (Ald. H.S. Chapman) wearing his official chain, and attended by the Town Sergeant, received the guests, and presided over the proceedings. He was supported by Mr. J. Pickup, the Secretary of the B.S.A.S. …

The musical arrangements were in the hands of Mr. Fred Temple, and the splendid array of talent provided ensured a very fine evening's entertainment, which fully sustained the high reputation the Deal anglers have attained in the matter of enjoyable evenings.

The Mayor said he was only too pleased to do anything he could in the interests of the anglers, which was also in the interests of the district. He had thoroughly enjoyed the evening and he felt sure all who had been present had done the same. There was one thing left he might as well do and that was to join the B.S.A.S. which he would be very pleased to do.

12th September 1907

The Chairman stated that he had received a telegram from the Secretary of the B.S.A.S. asking for a delegation to be sent to attend their committee meeting on the 11th instant. He had asked Mr. Bowbyes to see the members of this committee and ascertain their views on the request, that Mr. Bowbyes had informed him that his committee were desirous that he should attend if possible, and that he had accordingly done so, and had informed this meeting that in all probability the B.S.A.S. would concede to the request of this Association as regards the reduction of fees.

30th September 1907

… The work which had been done by the Association was certainly a very valuable one and there was no doubt that it was a very great influence for the good in the district. A great many who engaged in angling came amongst them, and not only spent their holidays here but came here as residents. He was quite sure that the advertisement given to the town through the Association was of great benefit. The publicity given through the announcement of the competitions had a wide influence in making the town known, especially to anglers, all over the Kingdom.

The support that had been given to the Association by those who were members and by residents who had the welfare of the district at heart, was shown by the large number of cups that had been given for competition. He should think that very few angling associations had such an array of cups offered for competition as they had in Deal. That, he thought, showed the interest taken in the Association by the townspeople.

27th September 1909

… Few clubs in the country possess such a silver cupboard as the D & W.A.A. I very much doubt if there is an angling association in England which can show the trophies which are submitted by this Association for annual competitions.

… The Chairman said the present membership standing at something like 425, if they continued at that rate and there was no reason it should not, he believed they would have not only one of the largest angling associations - they had that now - but some day the largest in the United Kingdom.

14th October 1909

… The Pier Company had helped them considerably in giving them facilities, and the Cabin had largely helped.

The Association unquestionably did a vast amount of good to the district. It was surprising how great a distance some of the anglers came from. We had members from the Continent, America, Canada and all parts. The local and daily press had assisted them greatly, and the Telegraph had said that this was the finest deep-sea angling resort in the Kingdom. If the Telegraph said this, we must not contradict it.

The Daily Express, Monday 19th June 1911

186 lb. Fish on the Rod

Mr. W. Harrison, a member of the British Sea Anglers' Society, made a remarkable catch of fish with rod and line while on a visit to Valencia Island, County Kerry. He took 935 lbs. in one day, including a halibut weighing 121 lbs. and a skate of 186 lbs.

"Sea Fishing" (1911) Charles Owen Minchin at pages 140 & 141

Chapter X

The Pollack

The dividing line between large pollack and small pollack is not a very easy one to draw … The British Sea Anglers' Society, which aspires to set the standard in these matters, considers fish above 10 lbs to be specimens, but admits those of much lighter weights as allowable in certain competitions. The exact size of the pollack at first maturity is not very well determined - possibly it then averages about 18 in to 20 in in length, and 2 lbs or so in weight.

"Modern Sea Angling" (1921) Francis Dyke Holcombe at pages 264 & 265

The English and Welsh Coasts

Deal has been very closely associated with sea angling for at least a quarter of a century, or longer; and the autumn competitions of the British Sea Anglers' Society, which were commenced soon after the Society was founded, were held there regularly every year down to the outbreak of the war. The fishing is not now so good as it used to be twenty years ago, but the autumn fishing for whiting and cod was excellent; and at one time there were a good many pollack around or under Deal pier.

The Daily Express, Saturday 6th August 1927

Seaside Holiday Sport

By F. D. Holcombe (Hon. Secretary of the British Sea Anglers' Society).

One of the most sporting fish in the sea is the mackerel. It is abundant in the summer off the southern and western coasts. Probably most people have caught it in the usual way - by towing a spinner at the end of heavily, leaded line behind a moving boat. But this is murder, not sport. To have real fun with mackerel you must wait until late summer, when the shoals come close in shore, and fish for them with unleaded tackle.

A drift line is the best. The weather should be calm, and the fish within half a mile of the shore. Sink an old string bag filled with pilchards to act as ground bait. Use a trout fly rod with a fine running line and an eight or nine foot trace of gut. Bait your two hooks with whitebait or sand-eel. Go out either before breakfast or after tea.

Bass is another sporting fish. From June to September you may catch him off our southern and western coasts and off the southern coasts of Ireland. A new method of-bass fishing is from a boat, drifting on the tide, with a long rod and a line of pure, undressed silk. A large float is used, and a trace of a stout single gut terminating in a small triangle.

This triangle is lightly attached by one of its barbs to the back of a lively sand-eel or prawn. A good deal of skill is required. The boatman must not lag behind or overrun the tide. The angler must not strike a moment too late or the fish will get away. Coalfish and pollack are both sporting fish if caught in the right way. Scotland is the home of the coalfish, though he may be taken in Ireland or Cornwall. Pollack may be caught almost anywhere in rocky coastland.

The old method of angling for these fish was with rod and driftline, a stationary bait, and a slipping lead. But a rubber eel with a spinner weighted at the head is more deadly. The line is slowly paid out from a boat and slowly wound in. You may use a gut trace unless sharks or dogfish are about, in which case it is safer to use a trace of wire. Spinning baits seem to have a peculiar fascination for sharks.

You will need a good deal of patience if you are bent on catching grey mullet. These fish are common in summer and early autumn on our southern coasts, but they are of all sea fish the most difficult to catch.

They, may be caught from rocks or breakwaters with a roach rod, a fine silk running line, and a fine gut trace. Use a taper float and some large split shot.

As for bait, you may try paste, rag, worms, putrid fish and fat, boiled cab­bage stumps, bananas, macaroni, and a great many other things. It depends upon local conditions. In playing mullet remember that its mouth is extremely tender.

The Daily Express, Monday 19th August 1929

"Big-Game" Fishing

The British Sea Anglers' Society has received information that a number of tuna - great sporting fish which run up to hundreds of pounds in weight - have been seen by herring-boat fishermen about forty miles off Scarborough. The news has aroused much interest in angling circles, and it is stated that members of the society in a yacht will endeavour to locate and do battle with these "big game" of the sea.

The Daily Express, Friday 13th September 1929

308 lbs. Tuna Landed

A tuna of 308 lbs. has been captured by F. B. Haanam, of the British Sea Anglers' Society, at Odden, off the Danish coast.

"Sea Fishing Simplified" (1929) Francis Dyke Holcombe & A. Fraser-Brunner at page 3

Chapter I

Sea fishing with rod and line has greatly increased in popularity in recent years, and today there are thousands of keen and enthusiastic sea anglers of both sexes throughout the country. Many of these belong to a Sea Fishing Club, for nowadays there is a considerable number of these in existence. London has the British Sea Anglers' Society, which in a sense is the parent body, and one or two others, while there is hardly a seaside town of any importance on the English coast that has not its Sea Fishing Club or Association; some have two or three.

"Sea Angling Modern Methods and Tackle" (1952) Alan Young at page 135

Sea Angler's Encyclopaedia

B.S.A.S.

The British Sea Anglers' Society was founded in 1893 to promote the interests of sea anglers and all that remotely concerned them. In this it was successful, and the work carried out by the society is beyond all praise. Its members were interested in both the practical and scientific aspects of fishing and fish, and many world-renowned anglers and famous scientists spoke at its periodic meetings. Its journal, "The British Sea Anglers' Society Quarterly", contained a wealth of information and material which could with advantage to all be collated and published today. Its headquarters were in Fetter Lane, in the City, and the records of the society were kept there. The building, which also housed the society's museum, was completely destroyed by enemy action during the war, and the society, to the regret of all sea anglers who knew it before the war, has faded out of existence.

Copyright © David Ramsdale 2010 - 2022
All rights reserved