Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-12-17
To Save the Bass.

Dr. UcorSe y. MdsSdmoTe, SECRETARY
of the Maryland Game and Fish Pro-
tective Association, Tuesday received
a letter from Colonel G. L, Nicholson,
general manager of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal, saying that the water will
be drained from the canal within a
week, and inviting the doctor to pre-
pare for his plan to seine the pools in
the canal, to save the bass that annu
ally die there by the thousands.
In his letter to DR.. Massamore Col
onel Nicholson says that no one will be
allowed on the canal after the water Is
drawn off, excepting they have passes
from DR.. Massamore. Others will be
kept off the property by the lock-keep-
ers. The SEEMING of the canal will be
done by clear-cut plans. DR.. Massa-
more will direct the operations, with
Harper's Ferry as the basis. 1t is ex-
pected that the work will take at least
a week, during which time DR.. Mass
amore expects to reside at Harper
Ferry, which is, geographical the
best point from which TO reach the ca
nal in both directions,
The Fish Commission will supply
the seiners with all necessary para
phernalia, such as gum boots, gum
clothing, nets and baskets. a man
from the commission will also accom-
pany each gang of workers. He will
be in charge of the men, so as to en-
sure that the bass will be properly
transported to the river. This work
in Washington county will be under
the supervision Of the Hagerstown
Club The Blue Ridge Club will also
look out for the section between Har-
per's Ferry and the Great Falls. An
glers in Washington have come ener-
getically forward with their support Of
the scheme
Usually, it takes the water in the
canal two days to run off. The out
lets of the water in the canal to the
river are generally at the locks When
the water is lie. out numbers Of the
bass escape to the river and safety.
The idea in having the water run out
slowly is to keep as many carp as pos
sible in the river. The Maryland Game
and Fish Association has declared war
against the German carp, as have all
the organized bodies fsportsmen. The
canal corporation invite the country
people along the line Of the canal to
help in the SEEMING, promising In re-
ward all the carp and catfish and
suckers they can carry.
The club is small fish, like min
now, and is the natural food Of the
bass. For his usefulness to the growth
of the bass the club will be carefully
transported to the river with his nat
ural enemy. Such Of the catfish as
are not wanted will also probably be
put back in the river although there Is
contention among the anglers as to
whether or not the "cats are harmful
to young bass.
When seined out of the pools the
bass will be placed in baskets. At
this time of year hardy bass will live
long time out of water, so that the
workers will have no trouble in car
rying them to the river and letting
them 90. Each gang and section will
be ordered to keep a strict count Of
how many and the size Of the bass that
are saved. This will be Interesting,
as showing just how many Of the val
liable fish would have been destroyed.
All the reports of the number Of fish
bailed out will be tabulated and pub
lished for general information. If a
large quantity of the bass are saved by
the process, there will be a similar
campaign each winter vixen the canal
water IS let out
As tales Of large numbers Of bass
being caught in the pools have been
told, it is anticipated that the number
may reach five figures. Below one
lock last year seven barrels Of bass
were dipped out Of one pool. At each
lock there is a pool, which is formed
by the pouring of the water over the
lock dam. There are along the canal,
also, a number of indentations in the
banks, in which the fish are wont to
gather. The expense of a seining Of
l68 miles of canal would be very great
if paid for in money, and would be
task above the present financial
strength of the Game and Fish Asso-
citation, but, by the cooperation Of the
Fish Commission, the various fishing
clubs, the canal management and the
anglers of Washington, Baltimore,
Frederick and Hagerstown, 1t is ex-
pected that it may be successfully done
annually. The canal management eX-
presses itself as determined that the
plan shall have a fair trial, and that
no one without authority Of the Game
and Fish Association shall take fish
out of the pools. The anglers Of
Washington have been especially act
i've in getting together for effective
work to save the bass. AS the task
/. great one, the local yassociation
asks the cooperation Of all local an
glers.
A Welcome Usher Of 81.
81 ,n,r,. ~ ,rlll q