Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-14
THE FISH MARKET.
Now That Ice IL Out of the River Prices
Will Go Town.

Now That Ice fs Out Of the River Prices
Will Go Town.
The river is now clear Of floating ice and the
river steamers are making their trips as usual.
The sloops and PUNCHES from the oyster beds
experience some difficulty in beating against
the wind and last week the floating ice made
it impossible for them to reach here without
the assistance of a steam tug. The additional
expense Of being towed up the river had a
tendency to increase the price of bivalves, and
those Of more than ordinary size sell at 81 or
more bushel Among the supply are many
loads of inferior stock, but even they are now
bringing good prices.
Now that the ice has disappeared from the
FLYER fishermen are preparing their nets for an
early start, MANY OF them believing that the
season will be forward, although they do not
anticipate as early q run of shad az there was
last season.
BIG CATCH OF PERCH.
The severe wind on the lower Potomac fol-
lowing the clearing of the ice has had it's effect
upon the fish, and Monday afternoon near
Lower Cedar Point more than thirty barrels Of
white perch were secured. The fish, the fisher
men say, come to the surface to get the benefit
! Of the sun, but the cold wind stunned them and
rendered them helpless and they were blown
ashore. It was along the shore that they were
| caught. The steamer Wakefield brought them
| here last evening for market.
Four years ago an instance almost similar to
this occurred down the river. pungy of
oysters was on its way up the river, when the
captain noticed a bright spot in the water
ahead Of him, and to his surprise he found it to
be a school of white perch. He had a crab net
on the boat which he used to pick up barrel
more had he thought them of any special value.
but thinking they would sell at a price that
| would not pay him for the delay he left the
fish, more than satisfied with what he had
caught. When he reached this city he was
agreeably surprised to learn that his fish were
worth IS cents bunch. Several small nets
have been used in the river since the ice dis
appeared, and good number Of yellow perch
were caught. Catfish and eels which have
usually been among the first fish caught, are
scarce, and what few are being caught bring
good prices.
WHAT INSPECTOR HARRIS SAYS.
Mr.. Gwynne Harris, inspector Of marine prod
ucts, said to STAR reporter today that if it
was not for the good work Of the fish commits
sion shad would now be selling at q or more a
pair instead Of 81 and less.
While this work is being DONE said the in
spector, the nets will soon be dragging the bot
tom OF the river for every small shad and her
ring almost as soon as it is Matched. The part
of the river that is in the District the inspector
said, is the spawning ground Of the Potomac
and the five-years' fish law that expired year
ago did more to protect the Potomac river fish
cries than anything else.
The bill was introduced in both houses OF
Congress last session for re-enactment but il
met with opposition from the Virginia delega-
ton because the people on the Virginia side
want to use their nets, but Notwithstanding the
opposition the bill passed the Senate, but did
not get through the House. Friends of the
bill will endeavor to get it passed during the
present session,