Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-25


From tn American Angler.
Within . few years the black bass seem to
have multiplied rapidly in the waters II the
lower Potomac, between the 'tGreat Falls and
tide water, and probably there is no fishing
ground in the United States to-day better pat
ronized by the angler.
The waters Of this stored stream, from its
fountain head to where Old ocean turns It's cur
rent. together with those OF the Shenandoah and
other tributaries, abounds In this gamy Ash,
both the large and small-mouth varieties In
the month of September you can scarce find
show you numerous strikes as the greedy
beauty seeks the surface for his prey.
Angling, in the true sense Of the term, Is but
in its infancy on the lower Potomac and we
have no great number Of what might be called
expert anglers among US. Washington and the
District Of Columbia has many earnest, ardent,
enthusiastic devOtees of rod and reel. and the
number is constantly on the increase. but there
Ia as yet but limited number who can cast &C
cording to 'Old Isaak"-(.twenty-f five feet in a
perfectly straight line and make the fly alight
before any portion Of line or leader, or wait
cooily while the alarm rattles under fierce
'pay-out."
The rare sport which the black bass affords
has been but recently developed, and even now
fy-fishing is almost unknown. Western Penn
sylvania fs the nearest point to US which has
afforded trout fishing, and it seems that but few
Of our anglers have sought its streams for sport
The Anglers Association Of Washington is the
only organization which fishes the Lower Po-
tOmac exclusively, and It's enthusiastic presi-
dent, Dr. Smith T0wnshend, will no doubt
acknowledge that there are still some of its
members who would be tempted to attempt the
taking Of fourpounder square out at first
strike / am not saying this i'm dispafagement
OF the Washington anglers, but only by way Of
illustration Of the fact before stated, that ang-
ling as fine art (which 1t ISL is vet in its swad-
ding clothes with US. The cOntagion is spread
ing, however, and If the bass holds out to bite,
can promise you that we will soon take rank
among the jewellers on the trout and bass
streams OF the west and southwest. The
Anles-iean Angler Is doing good work in waking
up and interesting our disciples Of Walton and
the question Of modern tackle and how to use
1t, /" finds many students here.
The principal fishing ground In the early
spring is among the eddies under the "Great
Falls" Here the anglers most do c0ngregate.
The falls are situated fourteen miles above the
city of Washington, and drive Of two hours
over the admirable road built upon the conduit
wild field Of piled up rocks down which the
waters tumble on their journey to the sea. The
Chesapeake and Ohio canal Is another avenue of
approach, and q small steam packet runs back
and forth during the season, to carry excursion
lists and fishermen The scenery tn this vicinity
seems to seek this seething eauldron in the
early spring, probably to absorb some of it's
energy, as well as to have his coat of winter
slime removed. Later On they drop further
down the stream, and the anglers follow in
their wake; taking the grounds as they go.
First, the "Club House, then :.Stubblefeld,"
Douglas" "Seven Locks" "Cabin Johns -
"Feeder Dam" and 50 on, to the Little Falls"
and even the vicinity Of the '"Three Sisters
All OF the above names. given to certain grounds
h1tx FL loS
as familiar as household words to every WASH
1ngtOn angler. be he graYbeard or boy.
In the latter days of April and first of May the
black bass are taken in great numbers Just be-
low the 'Great Falls +" in the eddies. Fishing is
done exclusively from the rocks on the banks at
this point, while later in the season. at the
points above named (and further DOWN. it is
carried on almost as exclusively from boats. One
day during the latter part of last April the wri-
ter saw fully three hundred bass brought across
the canal at the little hotel at the Fails" all of
which had been taken by the numerous fisher
men during that day, on the island at the Great
Falls" On the day referred to there were sup
pose some fifty persons fishing from the rocks,
and among them but one who deserved the name
Of angler
seemed alive with the fish that day, but the one
gentlemen referred to was an expert. He was,
learned afterward an engineer in the United
States navy. His outfit consisted of q twelve
foot rod Of split bamboo and Kentucky reel,
and in casting he seemed to have his line under
as perfect control as Mexican has his lasso. He
impressed one with the idea as his line played
OUT that he could. il necessary cast entirely
across the stream; but he stopped his minnow at
the identical spot and distance as required. His
handling OF the fish when the ''strike" was re-
ceived, partOOk Of the same perfection, and he
landed them side up at his feet every time. He
threw back everything ofless than three-fOurths
OF pound weight, and ceased fishing when he
had ten or q dozen beauties varying in weight
from two to four pounds. He was an angler.
The others were fishermen.
The Anglers Association makes the "Seveu
Locks" or ''McQuade's," its headquarters, and
there the boats and appliances of the club are
kept The gentlemen composing this club are
earnest and enthusiastic anglers and have done
much for the cause on the lower Potomac. The
''Club House" ia to have it's quarters fitted up
again this season as place Of resort and con-
venience for anglers. The ten-mile drive to this
point Is delightful, and fine sport is afforded in
the hate spring and early fall The fishing sea-
large mOuthed and small-mOuthed bass have
been taken at the Great Fails. On Saturday
last several weighing over four pounds were
taken at the Falls. and one of five and one-half
pounds at the ''Club House." 1 am told that
the slaughter of the little ones has been appall-
ing. 1t is time that the anglers Of the Potomac
were becoming ashamed of taking and retaining
bass OF from six to ten ounces In weight. These
should be handled carefully and promptly re-
turned to the water.
As 1 stated In the beginning fy-nshing is
scarcely known. and rarely practiced by the ang-
lers Of this portion of the Potomac Why this
ts the case am not able to say. No one doubts
the appetite Of the bass for flies, and the P0to-
mac bass is no exception TO the general rule Az
an Illustration Of the sccpticsm regarding fish
ing with artificial fies, "a well as an evidence Of
their value, will relate q little Incident SEN
ator Wade Hampton, Of South Carolina, is an
ardent disciple Of Walton, and casts fy equal
to any man In the south. Learning that black
bass were to be taken in the Potomac near
Washington he drove up one day last fall to
"McQuade's," at the t'Seyen Locks" He en-
gagged boat from "Mike" and got man to
row. When interrOgated about his supply Of
bait he responded that he was going to fish with
flies. Mike laughed an increduious laugh, and
then told the Senator that IL he really intended
fishing with them things" he would have his
'trouble for his pains"
Senator Hampton was not TO be discouraged
oy such talk, however. and laughingly offered
to wager Mike fifty dollars against the boat he
used that he would bring in q dozen bass. Nike
would not bet. The Senator went out with his
man, and after spending q couple Of hours on
the river returned with eleven fine fish. Nike in
referring to this incident, says:
"Mac told me that he just kept him rowin
slow, and he drapped that string fust this side