The antiquity of the Association is proved by the minutes of the annual meeting of 1882 in which it is recorded "The Hon. Secy. W. Tattersall Esq. announced his intention of retiring from the position, which he has held from the first formation of the Association in 1858."

Again, at the annual meeting of 1892 "the Secretary was requested to record the sincere regret of the Members of the Association at the terrible succession of deaths, three in 21 days, of the ladies at Dallam Tower to whom. and to their predecessors, the Association is indebted for the privileges so uniformly and kindly accorded to them for the past 36 years." This puts the date of the foundation at 1856, but the later date is probably correct. Mr. Tattersall would know. He was present at the meeting of 1882 but not at that of 1892, having resigned from the Association in 1891. He is referred to as "the founder of the Association to whose judgment, tact and discretion the Association is greatly indebted for its successful career."

A mistaken idea that the Association was founded in 1862 led to a proposal to hold a Jubilee Dinner in 1912. This had to be abandoned "owing to insufficient response by the members."

Perhaps some other gleanings from the old Minute Book, covering the period 1882 to 1928, would be of interest at this time.

It is indeed to "the privileges so uniformly and kindly accorded to them" by the owners of Dallam Tower that the members of the Association have been able to enjoy much good fishing. Up till 1897 the Association fished also the water in Dallam Park. In that year an agreement was made with Sir Maurice Bromley-Wilson whereby the Association would have the privilege of fishing only above Waterhouse Paper Mill. The owner of Dallam Tower reserves the right to a certain number of rods and, as with other riparian owners, their tickets may be used over the whole of the water held by the Association.

With the exception of DalIam Park, the waters fished by the Association seem to be the same now as they were at the foundation. A great benefactor. of the Association was Major T. A. Argles, owner of Kidside, who became a member in 1886 and Chairman in 1891, a position which he held till his death in 1923. He, and his father before him, allowed the fishing on his waters, Kidside (Stainton) and Peasey Becks, free to the members, and he made it a condition of the lease of Kidside House that the tenant for the time being should pay a subscription to the Association. Major Argles' son, Mr. Hubert Argles, extends similar facilities to the members.

Overthwaite was formerly owned by Mr. Jacob Wakefield of Sedgwick. He was a member of the Association, but in 1892 he considered that as a riparian owner he was entitled to greater privileges than he then enjoyed. In 1893 a definite arrangement was made with Mr. Wakefield, which lasted until he sold the property in 1919. The new owner allowed the Association to have the fishing for £10 a year on a 7 years lease, and when this became due for renewal the Association, very reluctantly, paid £15 a year on a 10 years lease. It must be remembered that at that time the Overthwaite fishing was very good. Such is not the case today, and the Association has the fishing under a different arrangement.

The Association has always taken the fishing from the several riparian owners between Kidside and Hang Bridge, and has been accorded the privilege of fishing the short length of river that goes with Beetham House. Mr. Frith-Hudson of Ashton House received a ticket as a riparian owner. As he did not fish, he asked in 1894 that the ticket should be made transferable. This was done and the ticket was subsequently made available for use by a person staying at the Wheatsheaf Inn, This arrangement with the owner of Ashton House still stands, and in return members may fish along School Meadow.
In 1883 there were 26 members. As it had been resolved at the annual meeting of 1882 that no member be allowed to fish more than three days in any one week. there was no likelihood of overcrowding with all the water from the estuary to Rowell Bridge at Members' disposal. In 1883 it was decided not to increase the membership "in consequence of the tenant farmers complaining of the number of gentlemen going over their ground." In 1884 however, membership was increased to 28 and subsequently to 35, at which it remained till recent times. In 1887 members were allowed to fish four days in any one week.