Angling clubs, such as the Mitcham Angling Society (MAS) and Mitcham Piscatorial Society (MPS) met at local pubs during the season and organised trips out to lakes and rivers for competitions. The MAS, for example, used to meet at the Beehive pub.

Clip from undated photo on Merton Memories, photo reference Mit_​Org_​Events_​38-1, of a Mitcham Piscatorial Annual Dinner award ceremony at the Streatham Park Hotel.

Newspaper Items
The newspaper articles below are via the British Newspaper Archive

The earliest mention of a Mitcham angling group was in the Fishing Gazette – Saturday 12th December 1885 where Rev. Spencer Gough and H.N. Goodhart, hon. sec. of the Mitcham Angling Association attended the annual dinner of the fly fishers’ club.

Norwood News – Friday 27th May 1960

MITCHAM PISCATORIAL SOCIETY have a few vacancies for active anglers; fortnightly coach outings with pick-up points to Avon, Stour, etc.

— Write Secretary, R. Good, 4 Rutter Gardens, Mitcham 8508

Norwood News – Friday 06 July 1956

Heaviest catch

The annual match for the Coronation Cup between Mitcham Angling Society and the Piscatorials was held at Burnt Mill, near Harlow.

The cup was won by the Angling Society who also won the three prizes. First for the heaviest catch was Mr Pipkin, second Mr Mott and third Mr Fifield.

Norwood News – Friday 4th November 1955

A good catch

Fourteen pounds of fish were caught by members of Mitcham Piscatorial Society when they visited the River Stour at the weekend. Mr. Barfoot had the biggest catch of the day at 4 lb. 5 oz.

Norwood News – Friday 29th April 1955

THE BEST STORIES CAME AT THE END

THE fishermen of Mitcham kept their best stories until after their dinner on Saturday. Then Mitcham Angling Society members told their tales of the fish that got away. The society’s sixth annual dinner was at Zeeta’s Restaurant, Croydon. Speeches were short. They took up less time than the distribution of trophies and other awards.

Presented to the winners by Mrs. A. Crowson, these included a, ” duck ” shield given to Mr. H Burr, senior, to remind him of the August day last year when he fell in during a fishing expedition. The secretary, Mr. E. J. Harber, reported that the society was in a healthy condition. He thanked fellow officers for their work and regretted the retirement of the chairman, Mr. F. J. Gutteridge, for business reasons.

Gudgeon cup, J. Barltrop; Heaviest catch of the season cup and Mrs. Crowhurst’s prize, E . Kemp (17 lb. 7 oz.); Roach cup, M. Tamila (15 oz. 4 dr.); Perch shield. E. J.Harber (11 oz.); Pike shield, R. Wilson; Mr. Dunckley’s birthday cup, C. Valentine ; Last o’ season cup, B. Kibler; Best specimen cup C. Stokes; Wilson cup for runner-up. Mr. Williams; Bream cup, P. Felstead; Medallion for heaviest catch at King’s Sedgemore pool, C. Stokes. Money awards were received by Messrs. Kemp, Valentine, Stokes, Barclay, senr. Knight, Alcock,Hosier, Munt and Felstead.

Norwood News – Friday 8th October 1954

Anglers net over 30lb. of fish

Fishing on a private stretch of the Thames at Littlestoke, Mitcham Piscatorial Society members caught over 30lb. of fish last weekend. Sunday saw their best catches this season.

Best catch was made by Mr Dowling (roach and bream), Mr Stevens followed with roacg and a fine chub weighing over 1lb.

Another chub weighing 1lb was caught by a new member, Mr Markham. Sizable fish were weighed in by Messrs. A. Tucker, F. Barnes, R. Digance, C. Blogg, G. Sparkes and S. Meager.