Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-05-26

qur PoroMAC FIsHEElEs-Th has been
~, roorest season known to the Potomac
sEsrmen for many years, and with very
.r.bt exception everyone engaged IN fishing
I,.- sustained Il positive loss. For instance,
W,rl,v's Point, operated by the late James
.r;Jmorc's heirs, did nothing. Heretofore
49,. shore has been reckoned as first class
,I,or., The successful ones; next in detail is
".y.,n:. Point, operated by Mr.. Conrad
r,nrre an old and reliable fisherman then
'.,n,rs Grcenway, Pamunkey and Chap
,n.p' Point. heretofore considered good
",,,. but this season failures. The above
",s.. are on the Maryland side; on the
rn,.;ri, side we have Ferry Landing, White
,;o,ls.. Stony Point, and Freestone Point:
hose shores generally yield IL small but sure
nrn.it. but this season they made signal
,,iIure,. losing in the aggregate about 81 600.
The only exception to this general rule Of
l,.. i the Clifton" operated by Mr. Wal
low, the Gums, fished by Mr.. Jerry Robb,
and Wind Mill Point, operated by Messrs.
r,ing K Co., the last three named being
,hs three lower shores on the Virginia side.
ThaIr success is attributable TO the peculi-
erty Of location. being shallow and tlatly
armed, together with combination Of cir
r.g,..aces such as the great rains III Feb
mary aud March, and northwest winds that
nrryailcd during the month of April. These
shores were the great centre OF attraction
f,r ,i,r branch herring. In regard to the
artificial plants. were it not for the services
nl,nr |. : fish commission necessity would
,orrl,l a cessation of fishing the large shores,
and III. Potomac so far as the large fish
,.r,.~ are concerned, would be thing Of the
r.r. I'm view ui the fact Of there being no
legislative protection for shad and herring
rhcv are tished in season and out of season,
hence the almost extinction of one OF our
hest food fishes. In 1865 all the follow.
in, shores were ished On the Maryland
.jd,-rent Landing, Monkey Point, Bryan's
rrint. Greenway, Gut Landing, Pamunkey
Point, Chapmau's Point, Stump Neck, Budd's
Ferry and Goose Bay On the Virginia
SD. Ferry Landing, White House, Stony
Point. High Point. Marshall Hall Freestone
Point, Cock Pit Point, Opossum Nose, MIR.
lloors, The Clifton, Arkendale, The Gums,
Tamps. Wind Mill Point, and Caywood's,
beside, host of smaller shores not men
toned. Some Of the large fisheries were
leased and rented for large sums annually
~ the following will show: The shores on
tn. Maryland side, ranging in price per
annum from $500 to 81 900, whilst those on
the Virginia side ranged still higher, Stony
Point renting annually for number of
wears for s.. 800, Freestone Point from 81 300
10 $500; White House from 81 900 to 81 900,
and other shores in proportion. AT present
hu, few of the large shores are iished, owing
to the scarcity of fish. No one cares TO
assume the risk incurred, whilst those that
are shrd are at very low rents, and many
Of them conditionally, the owner not caring
10 have their shores remain idle. In regard
Ia the herring their decline is equal to toe
decline in the numbers of shad, and the
INSPECTORS report will show less herring aud
shad caught this season on the Potomac
than was ever known"