The Ellem Fishing Club was formed by a number of Edinburgh and Berwickshire gentlemen in Scotland in 1829 and is the oldest existing fishing club in the world. Dr Jimmy Mitchell took on the difficult task of writing about the Club, compacting 175 years of club history into a small book entitled, "Ellem Fishing Club - The First 175 Years".
The club is steeped in formality and ritual; tales of gold and silver medals, snuff taking and copious alcohol consumption are related in this fascinating book as well as factual and anecdotal information including tales of 132 fish killed by one angler in 8 hours, the Sheriff of Berwick being "expunged" from the Club in disgrace, mink catchers and poisoned rivers.
The Tweed Foundation's senior biologist, Dr Ronald Campbell (one of the Club's most recently elected members) has written a chapter on how the Club has been instrumental in the conservation and preservation of fish stocks in the Whiteadder and its tributaries since its inception in 1829, and the River Tweed Commission's Chairman, Andrew Douglas-Home has written the foreward to the book.
The book will complement a permanent exhibition at Paxton House, Berwick Upon Tweed about the Ellem Fishing Club, containing club memorabilia and artefacts, which will be on display following its official opening in Spring 2007.
Dr Jimmy Mitchell was elected to membership of the club in 1953 and continues to be actively involved in all club activities. He was Chairman of their Council from 1989 to 1991 and has won the Ellem Club Gold Medal on several occasions. He has been a River Tweed Commissioner for 33 years and is President of the Berwick & District Angling Association.
"Ellem Fishing Club - The First 175 Years" by Dr J H Mitchell is available from Game Fair, & Grieves, Berwick Upon Tweed; Tweedside Tackle, Kelso; or by post from: Mr Eric Gassner, 4 West Street, Belford, Northumberland, NE70 7QE OR Dr J H Mitchell, Endrigg, Paxton, Berwick Upon Tweed, TD15 1TE. Price £6, including post & packing. Please make cheques payable to "Ellem Fishing Club".