Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-12
Mr.. Politics. Fishery at Alma.

DEAR JOURNAL Some time since, my at
tention was called to local in the Maine
Farmer, in regard to trout breeding by Mr..
David C. Pottle of Alma, Me. have always
taken a great fancy to the trout family, and
am ready at any time to make their acquaint-
ance. During the past summer l have trav-
elled one hundred miles, more or less (prob-
ably less) in pursuit of members of this IA
nous family, sometimes with success, but
generally with the luck ascribed to the ANA
teur fisherman. SO is it strange, then, that
| Gin spite Of wind and weather. I must 60 to
Pottle's stocked pond, to enjoy what could
not be found within fifteen miles of my native
place. Last week my courage reached the
sticking point $50 called and off l went, to-
gether with few friends, provided with all
the comforts for the outer and inner man
that fancy or necessity could suggest; not
forgetting the old rule taught by yc ancient
| fisherman, zone bottle of gin, and fishing rod,
a little more gin and ETC." My ideas were
somewhat confused in regard to the direction,
yet, with the assistance of kind friends on the
road (for a wonder) | did not lose my way.
"For the benefit of after navigators", will
| try and explain the route as well as give
them few points in regard to the chances of
success. All persons on the West side of
the Kennebec will cross the bridge at Gard
iner, take the river road South, on the East
side of said bridge, to the meeting house on
the hill, and will turn to the left at this point
| and keep the main travelled road to East Pitts
ton. Here it would be well to enquire, at the
store, for the road to Alma, which once taken
leads direct to Politics., situate one mile and
half this side of Ina. Mr.. Pottle is one Of
those quiet men who make very little outside
stir and hustle yet goes on in that quiet way that
will accomplish wonders in a short space Of
time. He started some six years ago (ani-
mated by the reports in the papers, to build a
fish pond. There was simple boiling spring
on his land in a natural gully. He boxed this
up in the ordinary way, it. x IT,, with an
opening one foot long; just below this point,
some fifty feet he constructed wooden dam,
in which to place the proceeds of his hatch
ing troughs. His first attempts were failures.
A heavy storm overlooked his pond, and the
young fish were swept off down the stream.
The next year was almost a repetition of the
| first, except that the result was caused by not
understanding how to feed the young fry.
Since that time he has done splendid bust
ness. He has increased his ponds to nine in
number, and is now prepared to turn out
some twenty thousand or more young fish
every season. In pond number one, at the
present time. he has the young fish six
months DID, and about one inch long. In
pond number two are the young chaps, one
year old. In six of the other ponds are fish
two, three, and four years old. One Of his
ponds contain some seventyfve or one hun
dred land locked salmon that were Matched
by Mr.. Atkins at Winthrop, some four years
since. They were placed in their present
home for the purpose OF obtaining the spawn
for the ponds of Maine by the State Commits
soner. BY some strange neglect Mr.. Pottle
has not received any compensation for the
past two years. He has supported them at
his own expense, besides giving them free
rent of the premises, refusing our earnest en-
treaties (aided by the yellow and white coin
| bearing the medallion of the GODDESS of Liber-
ty and the American Eagle, to drop "A line to
the neglected wards of the State. | should
! Judge the salmon would weigh one half of
pound each, and Mr.. Potte assures me that
he can double their weight in eight weeks with
proper food If such food be furnished they
will spawn this fall if not, another year will
be wasted waiting for the young. There is a
large building on the premises, containing a
tank of trout weighing from one half to three
quarters of a pound together with number
of Matching troughs. The spawn are taken
dItluCidll| III ANONtllioSI, anu
turned to the ponds without injury The
stock on hand for fishing purposes at the
present time will average one half pound
each. 1t is well worth the trouble and the
price charged, for anyone who enjoys fly
fishing, to make few casts in these ponds.
The proprietor assures me that next year he
can furnish all the young fish for stock pur
poses, that would be required in the State of
Maine together with pleanty of sport for am
ateurs in his ponds. The location Of the
premises is naturally perfect. little more
capital, say $4,000, would make the best
chance have ever seen. just below these
ponds is large brook which might be made
to flow from six to ten acres. Mr.. Pottle
would like good partner in the business. 1t
would be good investment.
The trip from Augusta is only sixteen miles,
| and it is we'll worth the time and money, to
see the working of fish culture. November
will be the best time for the spawning Mr..
Pottle will be happy at any time to explain
all the details and show his pets TO strangers.
AMATEUR.
Augusta, Aug. 10, 1878.