Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-26
How Black Bass Are Caught for the
Market.
SEEMING FOR TEE GAME FISH
Description of the System and
How It is Conducted.
CLAIMED TO BE LEG AL

There was every evidence that illega
fishing was going on in the vicinity OF
Washington and evidence was not wanting
that the poaching was being conducted
right under the eye of the authorities, Ii
the Center market every morning live blacl
bass could be seen jumping about on the
stands. Who was doing the fishing? Wher,
was 1t being done?
These We're the questions which suggest
ed an assignment last night to a reporter
of The Star. and having learned the loca
ton of the fisherman, he proceeded to car
ry out instructions. The fishermans houst
was aboard the sloop Black Bass, and sh,
was anchored just inside the Tiber sewer
1t was perfect night. and the reporter
arrived at the headquarters of the ''poach
err shortly before o'clock, accompanied
by friend
A haloa brought light from the direction
OF the canal. and soon big, jovial John
Luckett, a well-known waterman and 1
lifelong fisherman, made his appearance
He greeted the reporter pleasantly and eX-
tended d hearty invitation to him TO <,
along.
Aren't you afraid of being arrested?
asked the reporter, as he seated himself on
box near the comfortable wood fire.
NO, Sir, They won't arrest me. ! have
United states license, and the authorities
cannot touch me-
With this he rummaged among some pa.
oers i'll an old chest and brought out sew
erai formida ble-looking documents. One
was apparently a license permitting him &c
fish in rivers. lakes and seas; the other was
Il masters license showing him to be the
master of the sloop Bass.
Confident of His Rights.
While he was talking there was a knocl
at the hatch, and two black faces peere5
in. Come on boys: where's Charle?
called out Captain Luckctt The elder Of
the boys answered he would be along in d
little while.
The reporter told Captain Luckett the OBJ
ject of his visit. He explained how the
live bass in the market had attracted the
attention of several members of the Gam.
and Fish Protective Association, and how
he had been sent by The Star to write al
about it.
That's right I'm glad you came. JUS
write anything you want about me and tn,
business | am in. The authorities canno
touch me- They have been threatening some
time. and | want it distinctly understood
that | do not fear prosecution. My bushes:
is legitimate"
The missing land made his appearance al
this juncture. and the four men adjourned
to the after part of the boat to make ready
for the trip. The long seine was hauled out
and loaded the big fishing skiff. The
men took their positions at the oars and the
reporter and his friends We're bundled il
ana the boat moved of.
Which way are you 9oing?" venturel
the reporter.
Just across here in big hole where tn,
bass are always found. Steady, boys; keel
little to the right. or we will miss thC
blind channel You know this is a crooke,
stream" explained the captain. land W,
VIII run aground if we miss it, and there
will be the old Nick to play
The boat was steadied and then the cap
tain commanded silence. This is the fish
he has r,
very scary. If they hear any noise tha
will scoot OPT to deep water
A landing was effected at a little cove OF
Poplar Point, just opposite the foot of New
Jersey avenue, ard where it was PROPOSED
to locate {. bridge. Across the river. tn,
navy yard doomed up, and away off in tn
distance the lights from the library mad,
a pretty sight. Just behind the throbbins
of the engines which furnished the ligh
and water to st. EliZabcth's kept up al
incessant humping.
The Reporter Takes a Hand.
The boat was landed and the reporter put
ashore with one of the colored men Thj
line to one end of the seine was made fast
and the boat proceeded on its trip around
the Berth to lay out and catch the wary
fish. Far out until almost lost TO the eye
the beat went. Then describing graceful
curve, it swung around and made for the
shore. AS soon as the boat reached the
shore, about 100 yards from where the
first man was stationed with the reporter
the hauling commenced.
This hyars hard wuk, boss" said the
fisherman. addressing the reporter; ''jess
ketch hot.' The scribe tried his hand and
then changed his opinion of a ba1kV horSy
h had once observed hauling a seine on
the lower Potomac. 1t did not seem posi-
bic that the men could pull in such a
weight.
Just at this stage of the proceeding a
man made his appearance from the bushes
He came like specter. and the colored
man dropped his rope and cautiously APP
preached the stranger.
Good ebenin, sir
IAN right. You've got fine night fol-
fishing"
''Yas. sir
With this the fisherman moved further
out into the stream and continued pulling
The reporter went over to see how tht
other crowd was getting along. The pres
ence of the stranger was mentioned t
Capt. Luckett and he straightway wen
over to learn the trouble. The reporter
followed, and Capt. Luckett called out t.
the reporter to entertain the stranger Will,
he was hauling in the seine.
The stranger was & special officer, hire
ny the Game and Fish Protective Associa
ton, and explained 20 the reporter how h,
had been sent by Maj. Dick Sylvester I,
watch the seners. He said frequent com
plants had been made. ard he had been
sent. You know, [ have to do my duty
There may be some one watching me-
don't like to do this, but you know how i
is" He kept repeating this several times
In the meantime he had recognized tn,
reporter, and the latter asked if it was tru,
that fisherman with United States IL
cense could fish in the Potomac. He dit
not know the law, said he was not goins
to arrest any one, but had to do his duty
and make report to Major Dick" W-hil'
this colloquy was going on the special wa!
offered a glass of good cheer, but he de
clined with thanks and accepted a cigar
which he puffed violently while the sein,
was coming in.
He expressed the hope that the inconven
fence of the evening would be more than
compen stated for by the sport, and bad,
the reporter good night. By this time tbs
seine was within few yards of the shore
and the fishermen were congregating abou
it ready to dip out the fish No landing
was made the net beingsso arranged tina
the fish would run into a big pocket, ana
from there be easily taken out. This poin1
was particularly mentioned by the fisher
man.
The haul was a light one, and the net
quickly emptied. Many of the small fish
were thrown over, and the boat was head
ed for home.
The trip had occupied exactly two hours
and half. about eighty pounds of fish had
been caught, q special officer had put a
damper on the colored fishermen. but in
all other respects the trip was u most en-