The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-09-14

large enough to hold two or three bushels
OF fish.
These nets, they say, are set constantly
in season, and are usually fished twice a
week, requiring very little exertion or
attention, and they consequently give con-
siderable lisure time. The fishing of these
nets was commenced in the locality about
twenty years ago and has gradually in
creased, until now the number Of nets said
to be used on the Susquehanna flats and
neighboring tributaries will reach fully
5000.
They are fished at present mostly for
white perch and catfish, and in the spawn
ing season, in April and May, at times
| hundreds of barrels of white perch are
shipped to market which scarcely realize
the cost of transportation. An almost equal
amount of fish which are too small to ship
are cull9d out and thrown overheard, and
become total waste.
Years ago the fishing by fykes was con-
fined more to the creeks thereabouts, but
the supply of fish has long since run out
in such waters and now the majority are
set in the various sloughS which intersect
the Susquehanna flats or cunning grounds.
The perch frequent these sloughs in the
spring time, and as a consequence are caught
in great numbers. The writer was informed
that in the height of the season after very
high wind the tide became excessively low
and the flats presented the appearance Of a
vast clearing. The tarred nets by the
thousands, being set only few feet apart
gave the place the appearance o! being
thickly studded with black stumps. The
nets are mostly set in strings of from forty
to sixty, and it is not remarkable at the
time when the season is at its best for
half dozen barrels to be caught at single
fishing of string of nets.
Another resident of the place said that
fifteen years ago or later vast numbers Of
that delicious fish called about the Susque-
hanna the moccasin, but which is really
thC Suhhou, WHY w NC louui III lhc
tributaries at the headwaters of the bay.
Fine sport could be had catching moccasins
with hook and line, and while not recog-
nized as game fish, they would bite as
ferociously as bass, and they could be
caught wherever clear spot could be
found in the beds of celery grass which
grows profusely in this fresh water locality
Now if one is caught on the line it is
merely minnow in size, for the fishing
OF the Objectionable nets have 80 nearly
exterminated the moccasin that one as big
as mans hand would he curiosity
While they were plentiful they were con-
sidered bother to the fishermen, who
cought boatloads of them to be thown
away.
The conditions as they are seem to be
most generally condemned at the town Of
North East Recently those opposing the
depredatiOns held mass meeting in con-
domination OF fyke net fishing, which was
largely attended, and as a result the re-
representatives. from Cecil county will be
| importuned to use every effort toward the
passage of remedial legislation.
Antagonism to pound net fishing where
a mesh of similar size is used, was also
brought out, it being said that this net is
equally destructive. Popular opinion is
great in its disfavor. The matter is being
agitated somewhat, it is said in Hartford
county, where much opposition exists.
The question is frequently put to the State
senatorial candidates as well rs to the
candidates for the House Of Delegates as
to their position toward the iixel act fish
ing, and it is currently reported that it
will serve as an issue in the fall election in
that county.