Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-11
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE BLACK BASS QUESTION.
A Few Words About the Maryland Fish
Lav-PrOspects for the Future.


In recent issue OF your paper correspond
ent. signing "Chester," in an interesting article
on the ''black bass" takes occasion to severely
criticise and condemn the law of Maryland re-
Gently enacted torbidding the taking of fish in
the upper Potomac during the month of May.
Another correspondent, signing "Angler." not
long since did the same thing. 1t is evident
that these gentlemen have not taken the pains
to carefully examine the law and inform them
selves in the matter, or their criticisms would
have most likely been more intelligent and to
the point. AS chairman of a special committee
of the Maryland house of delegates on the mat
ter of protection to fish in the waters of the up
per Potomac, as the author of the bill which
became a law. and as an ardent and enthusiast
tic lover Ofthe sport with ''rod and line" take
great interest in the matter. Please, there
fore. allow me space in your valued paper to set
your correspondents and other tault-fnders
right in the matter.
Chester" complains that the fish s:suffer IN
fnitely more from netting, with it's endless con-
trivances." and the contemplate ''set lines' or
''out lines" to which some poor fishermen re-
sort, than by any other means Of depOpulatiOn.
That is true; and if Chester had taken the
pains to examine the law he would have discov-
cred that not only these, but all methods of de-
stroying the fish during the month of May are
forbidden under heavy penalties. A little re-
Election would have convinced him that it was
also necessary to prohibit at the same time the
taking of fish with rod and line as unprincipled
persons would surely have asserted that fish ex-
posed for sale or found in their possession had
been taken in that way, no matter how they
were caught. To make the law effective it was
necessary to prohibit fishing in any manner
agree with him that the prohibition should have
extended to July, and personally was in favor
OF that: but objection was made on the ground
that so many residents Of Washington" came
up the river to fish during the month of June,
and that it would be cruel to deprive them Of
sport at that time, especially as it did not at all
lessen the supply of fish. but only served to give
them an Increase of food If, however, as
Chester asserts, the waters are turbid and but
few. if any. fish can be taken before July, where
is the hardship in the law?
But let me explain, not only to "Chester'
and "Angler." but to all lovers of the sport
who are interested in this matter. that this
law is only part of general plan for increasing
and restocking the waters of the upper POtO-
mac with fish, particularly black bass. which
seem to thrive better than any other variety in
its waters. 1t is well known to all who are
familiar with the habits of the black bass, and
other fish also, that. at the approach of cold
weather, and when the streams are swollen by
the tall rains, the fish leave the smaller streams
and going out into the deeper waters of the
river. are carried by the swiftly running current
or. perhaps, purpOsely run down into the lower
waters. In the spring. when the spawning sea-
son approaches, they seek to return to the up
per ard shallower waters again, but are met by
several almost, if not quite. insurmountable
distinctions in the Great Falls of the Potomac
aud the canal dams on the river beside numerous
private dams across the tributaries.
Prof. Baird, U. S. fish commissioner and Major
Ferguson, late fish commissioner for MARYLAND,
both OF whom l am sure Chester will concede
TO be good authority in these matters, assured
the writer that the one great obstacle in the way
OF plentiful fish supply In the Potomac is the
great difficulty the fish Especially the larger
ones) find in ascending the river to spawn. As
the United States own the Great Falls of the
Potomac and the island at that point, and
as the government authorities were about to
erect an additional dam across the river
there. it was deemed proper and adj
vlsaDle that Congress should be asked
to appropriate sufficient sum for the
erection Of fish-way over the falls and dam at
that point The writer labOred Sin and out
OF season. to that end. and thanks to the assist
ance Of valued friends and to several Representa-
tlyes and Senator'S has the satisfaction of know
ing that the appropriation has been made. and
the work is understood to be in progress. Then
the law (Which "Chester" abuses so lavishv)
provides for the erection of fish-ways over the
canal dams at the expense of the state, A part
OF these are already completed; the remainer
are in process of construction. All owners of
private dams are also compelled by this law to
erect suitable fsh-ways and many of them
have already done so. OF course all is not done
that ought to be done in this matter; hut surely
Chester and others might find much to COM
mend as well as to condemn in this law as 1t
stands. had intended giving "Chester," and
your other readers interested i'm the matter, some
OF my experiences in bass fishing and a few
notes upon their habits. as Ihave observed them,
but the great length of this letter precudes it,
and leave it for future communication.
Very truly, yours, B. L. TURNER.
Continuation of a ''Rattling Fight.''
To the Editor of The EVENING STAR:
In your issue Of Saturday last is what pur-
ports to be correction Of my article in The
STAR of the Esd ultimO. entitled ga Rattling
Fight in a Mountain Pass" &C., from the pen of
"a member of the 18th Virginia infantry" The
correspondent says Of Major Simpson, whom
accused of carelessness but not Of lack of bravery
or Other good qualities "and it appears
to Inc that such death as his should OBJ
literate all his military shortcomings, especially
in the memory of more fortunate comrade in
arms" Now, although only nOn-commis-
stoned officer in the 18th Virginia Infantry Mai
Simpson was my friend, and only spoke of his
regiment was surprised in broad daylight, in a
locality which he must have known to be dam
Gerous. Every man in the 18th knew that
Maj. Simpson was a brave man and kind
hearted man; but reiterate the statement that
his neglect to take proper precautions
the surprise by the enemy of the
18th Virginia regiment on at least two occasions
when he was in command. 1t is all well to say
'.De nortuis nal nisi bonsnl;" but there is also
debt due the living. This "15th Virginia Regi-
ment Man" says made many blunders and innu-
enloes, and states: 1.-THE 18th has a splendid
record. but think it is claiming rather too
much to say that it saved the army on that occa-
sion." meant to say no such thing, and my
article will fairly bear no such interpreta-
ton. even in prejudiced opinion. What 1
did say was. that the 18th regiment had the
task OF defending Manassas Gap (of course
there were other gaps to be defended) while
the trains were passing behind the mountain
wall, and that if Merritt's brigade of cavalry
had forced them back the trains then passing
would have been sacrificed. l said nothing
about Saving the army" The trains were like
snake in that instance,-if you break it's back
in one point it is as good as if you had smashed
its whole carcass Finally, the correspondent
giving vent to the real dnimus of his alleged
correction says, "'In the rush of steeds and
men, of which your correspondent speaks, the
18th, think, lost one man." which shows how
much or rather how little the 18th Virginia man
knows Of the matter.
1t seems. Mr.. Editor, that one cannot write
about any episode of the war. no matter how