The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29

clubs. and occasionally both combined. and
either possess their own boat or charter
such as they desire for the oc-
oasion Of club run. This old
river man knows an thosa little
coves and harbcrs where De can lay by in
safety for he night when be is out on a
long expedition. Many Of them are not
visible from the main ezranse Of the
stream. owing TO the woods which sur
round them. and as The big steamers 90
by the passengers on their decks lo not
get a view OF the cosy hou aboats hiding
behind The trees.
The hoUsebCat. cumbersome and un-
wieldiy as b is in appearance. is gsner-
ousiy TatT0rized by club members on ex-
tended outings. They contain very often
accommodations for eighteen or twenty
people, which If not positively luxurious.
are o. least comfor. able with dining
room. sleeT ing berihs and everything con-
ducire 10 a plessuleable stay on he water.
At present white perch are the oniy fish
which are caught la any abundance On the
Potomac, but they are very plentiful. A
string OF 500 or 600 is no unusual days
catch for an experienced fisherman Perch
are caught below Little Falls. AID abound
al all points in the ucightoIl5od of Wash
ingtcu.
The rock or striped bass are also now
coming up the river. and gE occasional
good catch is made. The black bass sea-
son is ne chief feature O. Potomac River
fishing and this Will open 20 q taE weeks
The bass chiefly abound in tle waters OF
the upper Potomac; that is. The stretch of
the river above Little Fails. and from the
last named locality 10 WCs luout Club
House. near Cumberland. a distance OF $50
piles. fishing clubs abound
The majority Of sport-meu ignore the
localities in the ucighborhood OF the city.
and resort to The more distant fishing
grounds The bass is the only fish which
is caught in any quantity upon the waters
Of the upper Potomac aIthC1Eh the time
IS recalled BY old fishermen when sturgeon
Of four or five hundred pounds weight were
landed as far up as Chain Bridge. and
rock weighing from seyenty-hve TO one
hundreds pounds were Co CHI mucl farther
up the river
one old fisherman, who remembers these
times asserts with colossal rnendacity
that az one period the coming Of the stur-
geon was sufficient 20 raise the water OF
the river five feet. and that person could
81 some places walk from the Virginia to
the Maryland shore upon the backs Of
these gigantic fish.
Nowadays however. a sturgeon in the
waters OF the Potomac Is rara avis and
the younger generation have a legitimate
right to doubt the accuracy OF the recol-
lection Of this venerable pisCatorisl ex-
pert
Rod and gun clubs under various names
pursue their sport along the Potomac. and
perhaps few streams in the country offer
better opportunity for the combined pleas
ures OF hunting and fishing than does the
magnificent river separating the Capital
Of the Nation from the soil Of the Old
Dominion. The banks OF the river are
dotted at intervals with club quarters.
whose members enjoy 20 the fullest the
delight felt by the keen sportsman.
A. Quantico. a little distance this side
OF Blacks,One's Island. several gun clubs
have shooting boxes which are sunk in the
water In order 10 efectually conceal The
occupant. Those who indulge in wild fowl
ing for sport use merely the ordinary shot
gun. but fho professional game tr- pper en-
ploys dec0y nets and various means for
securing his prey in greater numbers
Quantico. which Is forty miles from Wash
ington. is the nearest place 20 this city
al which good game Ia any amount can be
secured The reed bird and other small
species are 10 be found upon the marsny
ground opposite the arsenal. but sports
men do not occupy themselves with these.
and the few ducks which reach this q S.
tSnco Up the river are incoCside-able in
number
The season for foWling lasts during The
entire winter although the most severe
weather is that In which the greater sup
ply Of game abuunds.
The sport has dangerous features and in
tracking wounded game upon the low,
marshy banks or Ooze Of the river The
solitary sportsman is apt 10 sink into The
muddy ground in which condition every
effort at sXtrioatiuu tends TO sink him
deeper Generally, however two al least
travel together and by this means mutual
protection is insured. Cases have been
known where q man has remained imbed-
ted In the mud until the return Of the tide
nd been drowned with no opportunity Of
Iaving himself Flat pieces OF wood about
eighteen inches square are generally worn
as . protection against this danger.
grest variety Of fish in season is
caught in the lower Potomac including
rock. perch. white and yellow. shad and
herring (which. however are generally OBJ
tanned Ia netsl, carp. and other less proml-
nent varieties. Pike are very rare Pts
getaway Greek near Fort Washington. be-
ing one Of the few places where they are
caught.
Among the prominent places IN the low
er Potomac pstronlzed By sportsmen are
Clifton Beach, No about forty miles from
Washington. and Wicomico Bay. seventy
miles down on the Maryland shore The best
location on the latter being Rock Point.
There is very good shooting al both
places. Colonial Beach l. also an attractive