Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-08-25
POTOMAC ISLE.
SUMNER LIFE IN CAMP--ENsNAR-
ING THE FINNY.
POTOMAC ISLE, w. VA. I
August Gard, 1883. !


Eds. Independent:
While the long, bright summer
days are still here, and forest and
stream offer superior attraction for
those who prefer a lodge in some
vast wilderness, we have preferred
to camp on the banks of the class
ic Potomac, whose waters are rich
with multitudinous fish.
To go in close Office or count
ing room on hot summer day
and find our friends sandwiched
between the brick walls heated by
the sun, gives feeling of physical
oppression, as it were, and which
seems only more literal when the
possibilities Of charming camp
ing campaign are considered. The
boulevard swell and metropolitan
belle, without doubt, may prefer
the contracted quarters In the sew
enth heaven of a modern hotel at
-ome fashionable resort, but
figh into the woods or a tent on
some meandering brook, or bold
er river, woos the lover.of nature,
the lover of simplicity and rustic
ease.
We are not hopelessly addicted
to fishing. While admitting all
that is claimed for the gentle
art by the infatuated lunatics
who fish to exces5-the commun-
ion with nature-the delic ious re-
pose the inhalation of pure coun-
try air, and the refreshing sights
and sounds of forest life-we are
free to admit that while angling
is good thing, little of it goes
a great way.
We have an attack about once
year. 1t has been working on Us
for several weeks, and, in compa-
ny with an attorney, a druggist, a
dentist, merchant, and two vet
cram anglers, we started on Mon
day for IA weeks camp on Potomac
Isle, 10 fish, and mediate and
commune with nature.
We left at s O'Clock and arrived
at Potomac Isle Il little after 8 A. NJ.
The grounds are all that can be
wished --maguiticent shade, de-
lighiful scenery, we'll OF the
fiocst chalybeate water, which is
mighty conducive to health, COM
Portable lodging, and no mosqui-
tos. In fact no betterplace can be
found where, free from the cares.
of life, one can spend week or
two pleasantiy-commuuing with
nature.
| Saor,ly after reaching the
igloGud, Monday morning, each
enthusiastic angler impaIe u
) miu1OW on his h4gbed hOOk, threw
10, aud began TO mediate whiie
waiting for a bic. Tne more
wal ing, the greater ihe media
tioIr The day, meieorolo2icaliy
con ,idered, was bli th8I cOa.o
nave been desired, except the mer-
j cotv rose to a height Whlcn was
/ ratHer uncomfortable, sitting ca
in the river. Tne king fisher flew
/ screaming over the surface OF the
calm waters, the meditative turtle
fi0ated lazily on the current, while
the "skilI-pop summed himself on
a projecting snag, and the wood
pecker, by auscultatlOu and per-
cussiOn on a hollow tree. derived
both pleasure aud profit from the
exercise of his veruacular instinct.
But one thing was lacking, the
fi-h were not in appetite. We
/ bHed them with mlnn0Ws, with
smali toads and grasshoppers, but
taey were decidedly abStemiOus,
ana turned up their noses at the
inducements offered. As the bass
wouldn't bite, we coaXed the cat
fish, "beset the sucker" ana So
licited the patronage OF the sun
FISH, but all IN vain BY q rule no
angler was entitled TO drink Of
iron water until he caught a fish.
Had this rule been rigidly en-
forced, there is little doubt that
the party would have suffered for
,odter. But, after fishing and med
/ italing for a while, it was pro-
I posed, and unanimously carried.
80 amend the rule so as 90 enlitse
the party getting bite 70 a drink.
Fr1m that tine until night, AS
long as the wafer was fresh, bites
were numerous, but barren OF re-
j suits in the shape Of fish.
Out party was not alone 10 te
glorious sport of angling up 4ud
down the Potomac on Monday.
For miles the banks We're lined
W}th confidiug lunaticS, ah0 sat
f. hours and patiently watched
tranquil corks mat never once
weut down, and patent alarm
resls as silent as the harp on Eara's