Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-18

ton for battle with the bass. OF course,
there are many fishermen in the District of
Columbia who seek other denizens of the
| deep than the small-mouthed black bass of
the upper Potomac, but the man who is
most keenly alive to the real>sport Of an
| Cling thinks only Of that particular fish
when the time comes for the biting to be-
gin.
The news was brought to Washington
Wednesday that bass were biting freely
from the Great Falls up to Point of Rocks,
and this information inspired dozens Of
anglers to make ready for their initial
spring trip to the rifles and eddies where
their game abounds. Last night and this
morning there was quite an exodus Of
these sportsmen, many of the members of
the Blue Ridge Rod and Gun Club leaving
for their delightful resort the Virginia
shore of the Potomac below Harper's Fer
ry, while fishermen unattached to any club
sought their favorite stopping places along
the stream Some went to Great Falls,
some to George Pennyfelds, others to
seneca, good many to the mouth Of the
Monocacy and still others to Tuscarora,
brunswick, Weverton and Harper's Ferry.
There was also a party up to Woodmont,
although 1t is probably too cold up there
yet for the bass to bite with any freedom.
No More Spring Fishing.
This will probably be the last year when
spring fishing in the Potomac will be per-
missible, and, consequently, the anglers
intend to make the best of 1t. For many
years the genuine sportsmen who are devo-
tees of bass fishing have endeavored to Sc
cure some legal protection for the fish dur
ing the spawning season, which occurs be-
tween the 18th Of April and the list of June.
There was extreme difficulty in securing
legislation that would effect this object be-
cause the Potomac waters the three states
of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia,
and from the Little Falls to a point nearly
opposite Alexandria also gives partial al
legiance to the District of Columbia.
This condition of affairs made it impos-
slble Tor any single state to adopt meas
ures TO adequately protect the fish. The
gentlemen interested in the matter, how
ever, were Determined to leave nothing un-
done by which their ends could be attained.
an ana, consequently 1t vas decided to draw
up Dill which should be presented to the
legislatures of VirEinia, West Virginia and
Maryland, respectively
Wording Of the Law.
The measureis ehtitied..'A bill for the pro-
lection and preservation of certain fish in
the Potomac river" and eads as follows:
w hereas dif1culty has arisen in the adop-
ton Oh adequate legislation regulating the
taking of fish in the~Pot amac river. in con.
sequence OF the contract existing between
the states OF Maryland and Virginia, APP
mac and Pocomoc rivers and
hereas 1t is intended that the pro-
visions OF this act shall be made effective
py sne states OF Virginia, West Virginia and
Maryland, therefore, ~
BE 1t enacted by the general assembly of
virginia, that 1t shall not be lawful for any
person to catch or kill any black bass, green
bass, rock bass, pike Cor pickereD or vail
eyed pike commonly known as salmon in
the Potomac river between the 18th dav
VI april ana the lst day of June of each
s eae, nor 10 catch or kill any of said species
OF hsh at any other time during the wear
save only with rod, hook and line or din
net. VI oip
Any person violating the provisions Of
lHis act snail be guilty of a 1nisdemeanor
and shall he punishable on conviction W.,
Imprisonment in the county Jail not ex.
ceedinS SIX months. or by a fine NOT ey
ceeding 200, or by fine and Imprisonment.
the counties abutting on the Potomac 49,
above the Little Falls at each session of
the grand jury to call it's attention to tho
provisions of this law. VIC
That the provisions of this law sb,u No.
De applicable below the Little Falls below
washington, and that the same shall he
come effective whenever they shall be
aaopteo by the respective named states.
~" mere the words nook and line appear
IN section l, 1t is intended they shall not
apply to what is known as trot-lines or
outlines. VA
This act shall be enforced from its nass-
age" '' pass
Adopted by Two States.
This act was passed by the Virginia leg
lsiature and signed by Gov O'Ferral. and
the same act, with identical provisions was
adopted by the Maryland legislature. The
west Virginia legislature meets next win
ter, and after its passage by that body. the
act will become operative. The MARYLAND
legislature, by the way, also passed a hill
en- the last day of the session providing for
aDDOintmpnt n
lining his duties in the state If some good
man can be prevailed to accept this posi-
ton and make sacrifice for the first two
years in order to demonstrate to the nubIic
what can be done for the protection Of
game in Maryland, there is said to be no
doubt that the next legislature will give n
larger appropriation for the purpose.
How bass Have Been Depleted.
To return to the subject Of bass, 1t can
lot be gainsaid that the enforcement of the
above act, while preventing many anglers
from pursuing their favcrite sport at a mar
ticularly delightful time of the wear win
result in increasing their opportunities dir
ing the succeeding summer and autumn
months The number 81 bass in spawn that.
are caught each snring is not SO large. he
cause the female bass when CARRYING her
eggs is not in any degree voracious and
consequently does not rise to the fiy or tho
live minnow with great avidity. The male
bass. however. at this time is particularly
line of food happens to attract his attention
he is pretty apt to endeavor to assimilate it.
The catching, therefore, Of the male bass
takes away one Of the protectors of the
spawn when 1t is deposited in the nest later
on, and thus makes attacks by carp and
other predatory fish more successful in
their results.
Refuse That II Dangerous.
Another danger that threatens the bass
supply of the Potomac is the refuse from
the pulp mills in operation at Harper's
Ferry. This is largely composed of sawdust
and being dischargedl in the Potomac, II
floats down until it becomes waterlogged,
and sinks to the bottom forming a sIimy
mucous substance that prevents the bass
from making their nests on the bed of the
river, and also kills the eggs where they
are deposited by covering them with a
sticky coat 1t is believed that tie pro-
rrietcrs of these mills will shortly take
measures to dispose of this refuse by burn
irg or some other means, as is now done
at Williamsport, srd thus prevent further
contamination of the Potomac from this
source.
Talk With Commissfoner Drlce.
The interview with Commander Brice
recently appointed fish commissioner which