Evening star., 1896-12-15
AN ANGLERS ASSOCIATION.
Mr.. Sylvester Proposes Ways to Pr,
tect the Potomac Bass.

Mr. Sylvester Proposes Ways to Pro-
tect the Potomac Bass.
1t was my pleasure a few days ago.
said Mr.. Richard Sylvester to a Star re-
porter today, Ito read an interesting inter-
view had by representative of The Star
with my piscatorial friend, Mr.. Jos. Miller.
exit ternal revenue commissioner of the
United States, in which he advanced in a
most decided and lucid manner many rea-
sons and indisputable arguments why
there should exist in Washington an an
glers association, to be composed primar-
lily of tho Sc who are anxious for the con-
tinued propagation and maintenance Of the
black bass in the Potomac river and con-
tributing streams. Mr.. Miller Is a West
Virginian and aside from an inherent ac-
Quaintance with the Potomac and the bass.
has given the subject years of observa-
ton and study, which enables him to speak
as high authority upon the prevailing
conditions, and his statements coincide
with the Information 1 have obtained dur
ing ten years experience in the waters
and among the natives of the upper Poto-
mac and Shenandoah rivers.
1T is generally admitted by those who
have hunted the bass, season after season,
along those rivers, that conditions have
changed. Carp, the razor back hog of the
water, which destroy the spawn of the
bass, equivalent to the destruct ton of my
riads of young bass, are more abundant,
pulp mills have been erected, without the
nece ssary crematories to burn the debris
which follows their crushing process, and
the waters are contaminated thereby, sum-
mer hotel and other markets have encour-
aged the use of the outline by the pot hun
ter, to capture the bass, and last but not
leas.. 1 have been informed that the net
which catches young fish for the animals
at the Geological Park often embraces in
Its hauls the young game fish, which
should be allowed its freedom and growth
THE Maryland Club has taken the initi-
alive looking to the preservation of the
bass, and several members of the Wood
mont and Blue Ridge clubs have lent their
cooperation, but such general action should
be inargurated, it occurs to me, and as
suggested by Mr.. Miller, as would ac-
complish the results so much desired. The
two states, Maryland and Virginia, have
through the efforts of the organizatio
named. passed such law as is needed to
protect and increase the bass, but my in
formation is that West Virginia must do
the Sc me thing to make the statute op-
erative at all in any one of these states
This latter legislation remains to be ac-
complished, and when it Is secured who
Is to see that 1t is properly enforced? Move
ments have been made in the proper direc-
tion but 1t is clearly obvious that all the
laws and good intentions combined will
not make the Potomac the great bass
stream of the world, unless there is organ
ization and means sufficient to carry them
out. 1t Is given out that DR.. Massamore
OF Baltimore and others propose to Sc
cure all the bass In the canal this winter
for the Potomac, and to slaughter the carp
and eels. Such move would be produc-
tive of excellent results, but the task and
expense should not devolve upon a few Of
the enthusiasts.
Il desire to indorse the suggestion of Mr.
Miller, and urge upon the several hundred
disciples of Walton residing in this vicin-
ity. who with rod and reel seek recreation
and health in the mountains adjoining the
retreats of the black bass every season. to
evidence their interest and sincerity in
preserving and perpetuating the greatest
of all game fish to the Potomac, by per-
fecting an early organization looking to
that end. An anglers association in this
city. acting In conjunction with the sew
eral clubs In adjoining states. would be
able to offer rewards for the arrest and
conviction Of persons violating the fish
laws. to secure legislation preventing the
depositing Of pulp mill and other waste in
the upper rivers, and bring about other re-
forms, which would in a few years con-
| tribute all that is required to preserve the
king of game fish,"