American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-20
From Georgetown Correspondent
LITTLE FALLS.


This is the commencement of the Rockfish
season at the Little Falls of Potomac-a pleasant
ride and not fatiguing walk of four miles here
from. In former times-some sixty years back,
as old people say-these fish could be taken
there by the wagon load to the hour, by those
occupying good stands, and having hooks, lines
and flies OF the right Sort and possessing the
right knack of throwing them That was also
the age of canvass-backs and red -necks, to say
nothing Of swans and wild geese. Ducks were
then so abundant on the broad bosom of our
river, that an ordinary shot could at any day,
during ducking season, 60 down to its margin,
and in an hour kill and carry home days pro-
vision for his family; indeed, very old people
say that such was the quantity then taken,
that many families were in the habit of sailing
them down in barrels. nzT#
The Indian remains (stone axes, arrow points
and rude pottery: which are yet occasionally
met with on the lands margining the river, at anc
for some distance below the Little Falls, give
evidence that this was one of their most favorite
resorts; and that during the seasons of fish and
wild fowl they erected their wigwams and took
UP their residences on both shores of (then
their now our beautiful river and, for the
time being rioted on its bountiful and delicious
productions. They have passed away, leaving
only the above-described rude memorials to tell
the story of their former existence, unless we
include with these mementoes one or two
mounds which exist on the hill on the Virginia
side of the river, and Immediately opposite and
margining the Little Falls rapids.
A visit to this highland which is q clear,
grassy old field, is well worth the walk or ride
from this place. The view from it is splendid,
while the spot itself presents sundry rude me
MORALS of our own as well as of the aboriginal
race, who lie buried there; the boasted Anglo
Saxon lying as low in his grave, and as utterly
forgotten by the present generation, as does the
Indian in his mound. To the lovers of the
grand and beautiful of natures displays, and
to those whose feelings lead them to sympathize
with and cherish the memory of perished
people, commend a visit to this spot-what
they will see there will cause them to return
more serious if not more wise than they went.
But l have wandered from my text, which
was, "the Rockfsh season at the Little Falls. :"
Well, times have changed; and the only way
for an amateur now visiting that renowned spot
is to take with him silver bate, and with that
he may catch, and either consume upon the
spot or carry home, according to his taste or
convenience, an ample dinner Of real fresh
rock; for though old Collins, like old Grimes
+" that good old man." is dead, there does not
want man" one of the same sort'-to stand
in his place, and who with equal skill in man
aging his batteau, and handling his hook, line
and dip, can at any day and hour furnish a
supply of his fnny prey, sufficient for the de-
mand of such yisiters as Ego a-fshing to the
Falls" For, though the amateurs always pro-
fess to 60 there on their own hook" it is well
understood, then, that their only dependence
for a dinner after they get there is on the hook
and DIP of those native born, who occupy and
fish on the perilous stands situate among the
whirls and eddies of the rapids. Let me re-
commend to all who think of dining at the Falls
the shaded spring up the hollow which descends
to the Pimmet run, about bow-shot southerly
from the old mill--now the burnt mill Once
there, with cooking implements and condiments,
including the substantials of bread, butter, and
fat bacon for your fries, together with lemons,
sugar, &C., &c, to make a small drop of drink,
and the result win be any thing but famine.