Evening star., 1885-10-07


In q recent number of THE STAR you had ar
item from the Frederick (Md.) Ne,os to the dis
couraging effect that the golden days of bass
fishing In the Potomac are past: that the fish
run smaller and do not take the hook as well
and that it is an all-day job to accomplish the
work which even five years ago might have
been accomplished in a few hours: and Mr.
Jesse Claggett, of Frederick, is quoted in the
item for valuable information as to methods in
angling and interesting habits and impulses o
the lordly bass.
Having recently had very pleasant and sue
cessful, though short vacation bass fishing in
the grand old river, am able to assert with
considerable emphasis that the golden days
have not departed, that i'm fact they are now
ssna,a here apd 10 that the truly good bass fisherman
Ny base of observation and action was Point OF
Rocks, on the b. and o. railroad, near Harper's
without trouble or delay. At this place Fisher
OF the st. Charles hotel, will take good care OF
the outer and George Hickman will provide
boats. bait and attendants. At other places
such as Weverton, Berlin and Tuscarora, all
near the railroad and river good fishing NAV
be had On my visit the nights were lighted
by full moon, the water was clear as crystal
and the days were bright and warm, all rather
unfavorable conditions, there being too much
of the warmth, clearness and brightness.
l am indebted to Mr.. Claggett, mentioned
IN the item, genial gentleman and
skilful angler, who, in the goodness of his pis-
catorial heart procured extra fine bait for me
from some mysterious locality, and thereby
enabled me to have sport that went several
pounds over q first rate average. Mr.. c. came
IN on three occasions with strings OF bass OF
from sixteen to thirty-one in number, all OF
good size, and some large, and at one time he
captured a noble duke that weighed nearly
S seven pounds: How,s that for golden days!
weighed twelve pounds. the largest bass weigh.
ing two and q half pounds, not river estimate
brought in that weighed from three to four and
q half pounds each. or course there are men
with dne tackle who go out with great expecta-
lunches in large quantities, who hammer about
In their boats like carpenters who expose their
eager forms to the shy fish, and who, somehow
don't have very good luck. But they have a
jolly time, probably, accumulate material for
tough statements, and soon make arrange.
ments to 60 and catch some more.
The Potomac is grand river for bass. Above
Great Falls seintng is not feasible; spawning
places, where the young fish have unbounded
opportunities to thrive are innumerable and
ali the fishing that can be done with rod and
line can hardly have any injurious effect upon
the vast numbers that are now in the river. 1t
conditions, that are well known TO the ardent
and observing angler, to insure success, but with
these there will not be serious disappointment.
The picturesque scenery of the Potomac, its
huge boulders along shore and in mid-stream,
its ripples and rapids, and deep holes here and
there, its hills and mountains, meadows and
fields, its islands and f1ower-spangled shores
all contribute to making delightful attractions
for the angler who is not striving to kill for the
sake OF killing, but who loves to fsh by way of
recreation, and at the same time take i'm all
that embellishes and makes memorable his day
on the water.
Almost anywhere from Dam No. 6, near Sir
Johns Run. to Little Falls, near Washing
ton, bass may be caught in satisfactory num-
bers. One prime necessity is to have good bait
Small catfish and creek chubs are now the best:
but the minnows that may be obtained at all
points along the canal are good, or will do
Those who can use artificial flies skilfully can
have rare sport. In six days at the place
ass h0f t,od
sixty-One pounds, and did not labor hard to
secure wonderful catches. In fact, took mat
ters leisurely, rowing, shooting the rapids, ex-
plOring ISLANDS, watching eels and suckers in
their solemn antics among the moss-covered
rocks and otherwise decorating for RETROSPECT
ton short fall vacation. J,C, b.