3-070-591 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The International Fisheries Exhibition: salmon-poaching implements: Mr. Ffennell's Collection, 1883. 'Gaffs, Usk & Ebbw; Spear, R. Wye at Bulth; Click hooks: R. Eden, West Cumberland Rivers; Salmon spear, River Dovy; curious salmon snatch, R. Wear; gaff hook, Usk & Ebbw; Salmon leister, Cumberland & Westmoreland; Trout leister, formerly used in "blazing" rivers; Salmon spear, River Towy; Snatch hook, R. Eden; drag for salmon, River Cleddy, about 25 ft long; drag, R. Derwent; Spear, R. Seiont; Salmon spear, formerly used in Solway Firth; Salmon spear, Usk & Ebbw; Snatch hook, West Cumberland rivers; Spear, R. Lune; gaffs, Usk & Ebbw...To many of the captured implements are attached labels, telling the exact penalty inflicted upon the man caught with that particular instrument of salmon destruction. Some of these penalties...appear to be pretty stiff. As an example...we may cite the seven-pronged spear delineated among our Illustrations, which was taken from a poacher on the River Wye, near Builth. The man was tried and found guilty "of using lights and spears and killing three salmon during close season." The penalty inflicted was £11 and costs. The blacksmiths who manufacture such spears for the poachers have, of course, to do so in secrecy'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.