Extraordinary Fishing Competition

The extraordinary fishing competition, which took place in Mexboro’ on Sunday morning recently, when nearly a hundred persons, with trousers tucked up to their knees, excitedly chased the muddy eel in its native element, or captured the wily roach and perch, who were decidedly out of their swim, were remembered by the inhabitants of Denaby Main as a piece of rare fun.

It was extremely laughable to witness the splash which would be made on an eel being discovered, and the frantic efforts made to hold the slimy fish. For some time it was found almost impossible to hold the slippery things, until a bright idea struck one of the fishermen. He grabbed a mud bespattered eel, and transferred it to his mouth, nearly biting the fish’s head off. It was held fast, and no mistake, although the mud which covered the fish was partook more of the character of sewage than what is usually supposed to form the bed of a pond. Under all the circumstances they fully deserved what they caught.

It was generally believed the River Don navigation did not contain many fish, but when nearly a quarter of a ton weight is taken from a small pond fed by the canal it is quite time for fishermen to take heart and try to tempt the wily ones from their haunts.