Evening star., 1897-01-13
FISHING SEASON.
Local Preparations for the Big Net
Haulfngs.


Haulings.
Although It is yet early in the season the
local fishermen are making their prepara-
tions for going down the river and getting
their spring fishing traps in readiness by
the time the ehad and herring appear in
the river from the southern waters. Shad
have already appeared in the waters as
far north as Savannah. and local fishermen
have every reason to believe that they are
as far north ss the Carolinas. The con-
d1tion Of the weather during the next few
days will have considerable bearing on
the shad and herring, and should there be
no setback 1t is thought likely that some
OF them will be caught IN the nets next
month. Because Of the mild weather this
Writer the fishermen fear they will have
a bad season in the spring. What is want
ed new Is a cold spell with a good thick
coatlng OF ice on the river. Fish have
haroly gone In their winter quarters yet,
said one Of the fishermen to Star re-
porter In the winter, he said, they go in
the deep holes and remain until the Ice
clears out of the river in the spring or
uhui there Is good weather. When the ice
oreaks and the water gets warmer the
lsh come to the surface, and make their
way over the bars in shallow water and
tfen 1t Is that the fishermen make the big
nauls But when there is late winter or
an unusually early spring, the fishermen
say that the fish break and do not go
IN schools. When they are scattered about
IN this way the catches often do not pay
for the trouble and those who operate the
nets are not paid for their outlay. Winter
seine haulers and gillers have had profit
apie season thus far this winter and some
extra fine white perch are now coming up
the river. White perch always bring good
prices, and they are never glut on the
market. In the vicinity of Quantico most
OF them are being caught at this season
and a few large black bass are also being
taken from the river. These fish also bring
good prices.
'Clumps.' about fifty miles down the river.
ls the chief winter shore of the Potomac.
rms Is now being fished by Capt Gibson,
who viii soon leave there to fish the Free
stone shore for shad and herring during
the hrst run of these fish. Freestone will
also be fshed this season by Capt. Bal
1nger of Alexandria,
X. A. Golden will fish at the Windmill
shore this season. Several fortunes have
Deen MADE at this shore. and Capt James
charge of the work down there this sea-
son. Is already on the ground getting his
boats and nets in readiness
Rsg sggedy Point, another famous fishing
snore, is the first shore this side of the
Chesapeake bay, and is place noted for
the large catches of herring that are made
tnere early in the season. Can't lake
fatnce is getting ready to begin the sea-
son work there. Capt Bill Neitzey, who
IS known from one end of the river to the
will fish Stoney Point and Fairy LANDING
this season. A number Of other shores
VIII also be fished Oh a smaller scale. .By
the latter part of next week many fisher
men from here will be down the river in
order that there may be no DELAY in getting
their nets in the water as soon as the shai
ana herring arrive, for the early catches
bring the best prices.