Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-18

After that when the
fry are born, the bass can take care of
themselves Their breeding habits are
interesting. When early spring returns
the fish make their way up the river
and its tributaries where there are
gravel ana sand bars in the shallow
water The female will brush out a
basin-like hole with her tail, and in this
she will deposit her eggs. This is usually
done early in May, and from this time I'M
til the fry appear the male and female
fish never leave the vicinity.
Several years ago there were many
spawning beds below Great Falls, and es-
pecially around Sycamore Island, but since
the carp were introduced in the river such
beds have been deserted. The carp in its
voracity and unsatisfied-like appetite for
anything and everything, quickly discover
ed that bass roe was a delicacy, and from
that time the big foreign fish has made
bass nests his steady prey, swimming over
them and gulping up the eggs, careless of
the old bass, who are not able to protect
their home from the overgrown marauder
Up near Woodmont. especially around
Great Cacapon, thousands of bass spawn
annually, but even up there they are not
free from the carp.
Occupied With Domestic Cares.
The fry make their appearance about the
Goth Of June, and from then until the 18th
of July fishing rod is a useless possession,
SO far as bass are concerned, for the newly
arrived progeny are taking up the entire
attention of Mr.. and Mrs. Bass 1t is
amusing and interesting to watch a bass
nest at this time. and study the methods Of
the old ones. The male takes up his posi-
ton several yards away from the nest and
poises there watching in every direction
for the approach of possible danger. The
female hovers over the nest and her prec-
lao WAC fhnVn
they get old enough to scoot around for
themselves.
If a minncw is placed before her nose at
this time she will take 1t in her mouth
return to her vigil They have been known
to do this dozen times In an hour, and
the male bass while on parental watch
takes no notice of either food or snares.
Three years ago seven anglers started in
at Weverton on the 25th of June and f1shed
down to the present site of the Blue Ridge
club house. Among them were DR.. w. s.
Harlan and Messrs. Dressed and Gilmore
twenty to thirty strikes, and yet the total
number caught was but ten fish.
After the middle of July, however, the
bass are hungry and active in pursuit of
food, and except in extremely hot weather
they may be depended on to afford good
sport whenever the water and the weather
is propitious The uncertainty of their dis
positions, however, is not the least attract
i've thing about the bass, and there's no
telling what kind of weather they most de-
light in running around in.
In the spring on a bright sunny day they
are apt to be found in shallow water. In
deed, experts who know how to properly
cast fly or bait invariably fish in the
shadows. There are times when fish gath
er in deep water and can be caught there,
but these same fish go into shallow water
to feed. This is one Of the reasons why
fly fishermen do not begin to kill rapidly
until evening. Bass at the bottom of an
L
or minnow on the surface; but still the
solemn belief exists among fishermen that
neither a bass any angler ever knows
what bass is going to do.
About the Tackle.
One hears so much of costly rods and
reels and high-priced lines in bass fishing
circles that the novitiate who has caught
his first fish with borrowed tackle hesitates
before securing personal outfit, but there
is no necessity for this A very good set
of tackle can be secured for moderate
outlay Here it viii be possible to get
good lance wood rod for, say ST. reel for
81, line for 81 and hooks, leaders, sinks,
&C., 81 more. He will need a landing
net and bait bucket If he proposes 10
follow the sport through the season, but
these can be obtained up the river where
ME makes his headquarters. if he is merely
going to fish internationally. OF course, #
one has the means and inclination he can
expend considerable sum on fishing
tackle. especially If he favors automatic reels
and desires to use one of the new steel
rods, which are becoming so popular on
account of their combined lightness, tough
ness and marvellous f1exibility.
After getting the tackle 1t is necessary
to know where to 60 If person is so
fortunate as to be invited up to one of the
club houses his pleasure is assured, but
there are numbers of places scattered along
the river, where fishermen are accommodate
ed and furnished with boats and guides to
pole them for very moderate charges.
Some of the Resorts.
Reached by canal boat or driving is
Great Falls. where there are excellent ac-
colnmodations, while several miles above,
at the mouth of Muddy branch is famous
old George Pennyfield's. He Is the most
ancient fisherman on the river He enter
tanned several years ago President Cleve-
land and Internal Revenue Commissioner
Miller.
Still further up is Seneca, nine miles
above Great Falls, and one may be al
ways sure CT finding remunerative sport
there. The summer fishing is best in the
RAPIDS below the dam. while the deep
water above is uneaualed for fall fishing.
There are islands here. known as Sharp
Shin," Lady Finger" Ten Foot" and
river, and are wonderful in their pictur-
esoue beauty, while the bass gather in
numbers along their shelving banks. The
mouth of the Monocacy, EdWards ferry,
Tuscarora, Weverton, Point of Rocks,
Brunswick and Harper's Ferry all af-
ford excellent opportunities for anglers
that are eagerly taken advantage of all
during the season.
Live Bait and Flies.
Live bait is most generally depended upon
nv fishermen who frequent the Potomac to
attract the bass and lure him to his doom,
but there are scores of anglers who use
the fly exclusively, and who are vehement
in their declarations that the red ibis or
the brown hackle accurately and gracefully
cast to the surface of a rock-guarded pool
or the edge of a ripping eddy is the proper
manner to pursue in fishing for the gamest
fish In the world. Live bait holds its place,
however, in the estimation Of he.matority,
and it consists of minnows, cray fish, young
frogs and pike smelt while the humble
worm has been known to exercise fascina-
tion of a remarkable sort on the fish at
various times. The term live bait, however,
may be taken to mean minnows alone.
The bait bucket, therefore is part of the
equipment of nearly every angler, and
much ingenuity has been exercised by in
ventors in perfecting this affair, for they
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