Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-28

The Woodmont Rod and Gun Club.
SOMETHING OF ITS HISTORY AND PURPOsEs-AN
ELEGANT AND ATTRACTIVE RESORT FOR GEN
TLEMEN.
For several years past the readers OF THE STAR,
which means the people Of Washington gen.
orally, have been hearing from time to time the
name Of the woodmont Club" but compare
lively few Of them, it may be assumed know
anything Of the organization or the purposes OF
its existence As, however, public interest in
such associations is rapidly increasing, and as
more attention is being paid every year to the
Importance Of propagating and protecting fish
and game, slight sketch of this Club. which, if
not the oldest, is certainly the strongest and
most prosperous on the whole length Of the
Potomac. may be regarded as not unreasonable
at the present time.
The character and purposes Of the Club will
be pretty we'll understood by its title; but they
are still further emphasized by its corporate seal,
which includes as its appropriate device an an
TERED deer's head and two conventional dol
phins on shield,which is supported by herald
ic scroll. bearing the legend ''Protect and En-
Joy This is in plain English, as 1t ought to be. In
order that the honest unlettered hunter or angler
may be able to understand it without securing
the services of an interpreter or referring to an
EngilSh-Latin dictionary on the sly.
Like most of the successful and useful Organi-
cations of its class the IVY. r. 4 G.. c." began in
a modest and humble way, though Its founders
took the wise precaution to secure at the begin
ming well located and ample field for its opera
tons. This was found in large old estate
situated in Washington county, Md, bearing
the appropriate title of "Wo0dmont." 1t lies
q little above and nearly opposite Great Caca-
pom station on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
about LOG miles west of Washington. The orr
ginal purchase consisted OF 2,023 acres. but this
amount has since been considerably increased
by later purchases; and, in order to extend the
hunting privileges well as to properly protect
game. &c, the control Of large additional acre
age has been secured by lease. The estate is
situated on the north or left bank of the Poto-
mac, as already stated, and extends from the
river on the front to the old National Road in the
rear, and from the base Of the Tonoloway noun
tain on the east to the crest Of Sideling Hill
mountain on the west. Less than ten years ago
this estate was valued at and was sold for
81, 900: but OF course 1t cost the Club no such
sum. With the exception Of about 100 acres,
the entire estate, with its leased dependencies.
is heavily wooded with fine large timber and in
places with dense underground, which furnishes
Il most excellent cover for game OF all kinds to
be found anywhere n that section of the coun-
try. Deer and turkeys are by no means scarce
while small game. both fowl and animal abounds
in the woods and in season ducks are plentiful
on the river
resort for anglers may be at least partially I'M
derstoOd when it is stated that the estate has 3
frontage OF three quarters of q mile on the
famous Potomac fishing grounds In
THE VICINITY OF DAM NO. 6.
The locality affords opportunities for both
deep or still water and rapid water fishing. Be-
low the high dam the river runs for several
miles over rocky bed, thus furnishing a long
stretch Of tumbling cascades, circling eddies,
and quiet pools, ever greatly affected by game
fish of all varieties, and always so tempting to
the anglers eye. Above the dam there is a
level or pool extending some three miles to the
westward. in which the water is ALWAYS deep
and still. and beyond this lake-like sheet of quiet
wafer shoals and a swift running current are
met again. All these several divisions are filled
with
TIE SMAIL-MOUTITED BLACK BASS,
which is now recognized by both scientists
and anglers every where as next in game quail
ties and delicacy to the spotted trout. and by
some placed even above that universal favorite.
Something of the quantity and size of the fish in
this particular locality may be inferred from the
statistics Of the Club for last season. The sum-
mer OF 1882 was not regarded a favorable one
for anglers, nor was there much fishing done bv
members Of the Club OF its guests. In fact there
was seemingly less than the usual indulgence,
whether numbers or time be considered yet the
Lon
ing $50 pounds or nearly half ton in ALL Pr
maps the majority OF these were taken with live
bait. but very fair proportion fell victim to
the seductive fy,-not few of the members de-
Ginning to use any other device.
OTHER GAME FISH.
In addition to the bass which, having been
there tor nearly thirty years, may now be consid-
cred as acclimated and thoroughly at home, the
Potomac at this point has been literally stocked
during the past two years with land-locked sal
mon, and large numbers of young brook and
California trout have been placed in the streams
ernptying into it in that locality 1t Is too early
yet to judge of the final results Of these experi-
ments, but a number of small salmon were taken
last year. showing that at least some of them
are alive and thriving, and there ia every reason
to believe that the enjoyment of the angling
fraternity will be soon and greatly augmented
from this source.
THE CLUB QUARTERS.
The living accommodations Of the Club con-
sist Of large new and fine Club house, situated
on high bluff overlooking the river and a
beautiful range OF country beyond, which cost,
with Its substantial fittings. about $4,000. The
building contains fine Club ROOM a large din
ing hall, Ipagazine room, store room, linen
room, servants room, and ten large fine cham
bers, all comfortably furnished. In front, and
running around each end of the building, is a
SoNtiOo poitiCo Twelve IffI utep. IN the rear
OF the main building. and connected Herewith,
Is the kitchen. and also ample quarters for the
superintendent and his family. In connection
with this establishment there is a stable and
other necessary outbuildings. an excellent
cement-ncd cistern, holding more than 12. 0GO
gallons OF water. and an ample ce-hOuse, in which
is now stocked upwards Of 100 tons of excel
lent ice Near the center of the estate two
miles back from the river, and in the midst of
the best shooting. is comfortable hunting lodge,
containing SIX rooms, suitably furnished. This
and two or three other houses situated at differ
ent points on the estate are occupied by the
game wardens Of the Club. who look after it's
Interests generally, an see to the enforcement
OF the game and fish laws OF the state.
GAME PROTECTION AND THE RESULTS.
Already the efforts Of the organization In this
direction have been productive of the most
encouraging results. Immediately upon enter
ing upon proprietorship turned it's attention
to the general protection of game in the vicinity.
under the provisions Of the Maryland laws. and
the prevention Of poaching on its own premises
which are formally ''pOsted. "in accordance with
legal requirements Through its efforts tres
passers and law-breakers have been arrested
I