Evening star., 1897-02-20
No More Pot Fishing to Be Allowed
Above Little Falls.
WEST VIRGINIA ADOPTS TEE Law
ASplendid Measure That All Anglers
viii Rejoice Over.
HOW 1T WAS RED

Thers will be no fishing for bass In the
Potomac river and its tributaries hereafter
above the Little Falls between April Is and
June 1 of each year and the fish cannot
be taken at any time other than by means
of hook ard line or a dip net. The use
of the trot CT outline. by which the fish
supply in the upper Potomac has been al
most decimated in the past. will be also
Illegal hereafter. The penalty for breaking
any of these regulations will he imprison-
ment for not more than six months or a
fine not exceeding $500, or both fine and
Imprisonment. This applaudable result is
due to the recently organized District of
Columbia Game ard Fish Protective Asso-
citation, of which Commander Robiey D.
Evans Of the navy Is president, and whose
membership comprises the leading gentle
men sportsmen in Washington as well as
in the surrounding states.
When the association was formed the
states of Virginia and Maryland had al
ready passed laws containing the provis-
ions enumerated in the opening lines of
this article To become operative. how
ever, 1t was necessary for West Virginia
to adopt the same law.
The executive committee of the local as
sociation, which consists of fifteen we'll
Known sportsmen, took immediate steps to
secure the requisite action by the legis-
held last Monday night delegated Dr. Geo.
w. Massamore. a member of the associa-
ton. the chief deputy game warden of
MARYLAND: and the secretary and treasurer
OF the Maryland State Game and Fish
Protective Association, to proceed to
Charleston and urge the passage of the
plll. Dr. Massamore was courteoUsly pro-
v1ded with strong letters to members of
the West Virginia legislature by Senators
Elkins. Faulkner. German and other influ-
entail gentlemen, and when he reached the
west Virginia capital he found the bill
sleeping in a senate committee He was
received with pleasant welcome by the leg
isiators. and out of courtesy to him the bill
was taken up out of its regular order and
quickly passed through both houses. Dr.
Massamore had an interview with Gov.
McCcrkle, who Is an ardent sportsman and
It Is regarded as certain that he will sign
the bill
The effects Of this measure cannot be
overestimated. 1t will mean the placing
around the bass and all varieties Of game
hsh. which are also enumerated in the
prohibitfve clauses Of the bill, of perfect
protection from the forays of pot-fshers,
which have been so constant in the past
ana will especially protect them during
the spawning season, from April Is to
June 1. Mr.. George L. Nicolson, the man
ager of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal,
saas- VINO IS -, a jealous zeal sportsman and always
10 promote sport in its proper sense will
nave all the canal walkers of the system
urder his control appointed deputy game
Wardens at very early date. and, as
these wfde-awake. alert men virtually pa
trol the Potomac from Washington to its
source, the persons who have heretofore
kept up predatory warfare on the game
nsh In its waters will be compelled to give
up their business: Heretofore it has been
Impossible for the state authorities Of
Maryland and Virginia and West Virginia
TO stop the lawbreakers in the river. be-
cause when approached by the officers Of
one state they would seek the shore of
the new law, however. they will have M
chance to continue this system.
immediate steps will now be taken to
nave Congress pass law similar to the
from Little Falls. where the District ba-
glns. TO the east line of the District, below