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 &C.
casion of club run. This old
river man knows all thosa little
coves and harbors where he can lay by in
safety for he night when he is out on a
long expedition. Many of them are not
visible from the main exDanse of the
stream. owing to the woods which sur
round them. and as the big steamers go
ab by the passengers on their decks 10 not
get view Of the cosy houzeboats hiding
behind the trees.
The houseboat, cumbersome and I'M
wieldly as it is in appearance. is gener-
ousiy TatTonized by club members on ex-
tended outings. They contain very often
accommodations for eighteen or twenty
people, which. if not positively luxurious.
are 81 least comfortable. with dining
room, steering berths and everything con-
duciye 10 a pieasureable stay on the water.
At present white perch are the only fish
which are caught in any abundance on the
Potomac, but they are very plentiful.
string OF zoe or coo is no unusual days
catch for an experienced fisherman. Perch
are caught below Little Falls. and abound
al all points in the neightorhCod Of Wash
- ingtcn-
o., The rock, or striped bass, are also now
, coming up the river. and an occasional
good catch is made. The black bass sea
son is the chief feature o. Potomac River
fishing. ana this will open IN = few weeks.
The bass Chiefly abound in The waters OF
the upper Potomac: that is the stretch of
the river above Little Falls, and from the
last named locality TO Wo3lTaopt Club
House. near Cumberland. a distance OF $50
miles fishing clubs abound.
The majority Of sportsmen ignore the
localities in the neighborhood 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. although 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 seventy-iive 10 one
hundreds pounds were ca -ght mueh farther
up the river.
One old fisherman, who remembers these
times. asserts with colossal mendacity
that az one period the coming OF the stur-
geon was sufficient TO raise the water of
the river five feet. and that a person could
at 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 a rara avis, and
the younger generation have a legitimate
right TO doubt the accuracy of the recol-
lection OF this venerable piscatorial ex-
pert
Rod and gun clubs under various names
pursue their sport aloag 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 TO the fullest the
delight felt by the keen sportsman.
At Quantico. a little distance this side
of Blackstone's Island, several gun clubs
have shooting boxes. which are sunk in the
water In order TO efectually conceal the
occupant. Those who indulge in wild fowl
ing for sport use merely the ordinary shot
gun. but the professional game trcpper en-
ploys decoy nets and various means for
occurring his prey in greater numbers.
Quantico. which is forty miles from Wash
ington. is the nearest place 10 this city
at which good game in any amount can be
secured The reed bird and other small
species are to be found upon the marshy
ground opposite the arsenal. but sports
men do not occupy themselves with these,
and the few ducks which reach this DIS
lance UP the river are lHCoiSideI aOIe 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 abounds.
The sport has dangerous features. and in
tracking wounded game upon the low
msrshy banks or ooze OF the river. the
solitary sportsman is apt TO sink into the
muddy ground in which condition every
effort at eXtricaiion 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 a man has remained imbed-
sed In the loi.l until the return Of the tide
md been drowned with no opportunity OF
,aving himself Flat pieces OF wood about
eighteen inches square are generally worn
as a protection against this danger.
great 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 in netsl. carp. and other less pronI-
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 patronized by sportsmen are
Clifton Beach, Md. 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 a. both
places. Colonial Beach Is also an attractive