Evening star., 1909-05-30
OTHER FISH BITING WELL
Catfish. Perch and Rock Being
Caught in Good Numbers.
SPORT IN EASTERN BRANCH
Benning Bridge and the "Devil's S
Elbow" Favorite Spots for the
Fishermen Just Now.

from FarperS Ferry eSterdaE-
Because the rivers are muddy at
that poin = suggested one of the dis
appointed ones does not necessarily
mean that there will be no fishing nearer
the city, bur unfortunately the water
about here is muddy. and I'm afraid
the opening OF tho season for catching
bass and crappie will bring nothing but
disappointment to Sir Izaak Walton's
followers"
Tndcr The laws Of the District Of
Columbia legal lights say. angling for
bass might have been indulGed in yes
terday without incurring the penalty
Of the law, a change in the law having
been made for the purpose of permitting
Memorial day outings with hook and
line. In making the change in the law
the wording made it possible for an
glers to begin the season on the 18th
OF May. The condition of the water
at this time is such. however. hat an
gIers have no idea they would have
had any luck had they made an effort
yesterday.
Despite the condition Of the water. 1t
is more than probabl" that hundreds
of enthusiastic anglers will he out early
tomorrow morning following those who
arranged for trips today. and if bass
are not landed it will not be their fault
Water that is in condition to give the
fish an opportunity to see the entcins
bait is what is desired more than any
thing else. Bait is plentiful and anglers
got their tackle ready long ago. and all
they desire is place i'll which the bait
is calculated to work results
Maryland and West Virginia Laws.
Bass fishing in Maryland and West
Virginia is not permitted until June Il,
the closed season ending at that time.
,1t it CT toJ
taken from the Maryland waters through
out the season. In West Virginia it is
stated. anglers respect the law, although
there are some ''pOthunters WHO pay
no attention to its provisions. Pots and
outlines, il is said. ale numerous in the
Potomac river above HarperS Ferry,
where Maryland authorities are in
troll.
Sunday fishing in West Virginia is pro-
hibited, and this new provision of the
law, it is believed, will he the means
of reducing TIE number of Washing
tonians seeking such pleasure in that
state. Harpers Ferry. where many
Washingtonians go to seek sport in TIL,
line of angling for bass. will not close
the sport to them on Sundays. Maryland
having jurisdiction over the Potomac,
but such sport will not be permitted in
the Shenandoah there.
Anglers who indulge in bass fishing ire
quen.ly find the question of bait diff
tGiI piopIeIH W SoiNe IL ID l.Ot always all
easy matter to carry live bait from this
city, change the water several times and
keep II alive until time for the sport to
begin arrives. SmelI, the most BILE
of live bait. is not easy to handle, and
the constant changing is calculated to
move the scales. weaken the fish and
make il undesirable for use Just what to
do to overcome this trouble is a question
that is puzzliEg the anglers, and the sug
geston has beer made that club members
establish several distributing stations in
sections where most of the bass are
caught
Expect a Good Season.
Last evening in the stores where fishing
tackle is sold many enthusiastic anglers
made purchases and discussed the possi-
biities of good season this year as
we'll as to tell of the big fish they caught
Or missed last season. 1t is believed by
the sportsmen that the season this year
will be much better than it has been for
several years. The recent rains al
though they muddied the water, will have
a tendency to improve conditions and as
soCn as the water clears some good
catches anticipated.
Probably three-fourths of the fishermen
who try their luck today or tomorrow
will be satisfied with something other
tnan bass. There are plenty of anglers
who are satisfied To catch a string of
perch. a few rock even a bunch OF
ca fish
1T is rather cheap sounding TO talk
about catching catfish" remarked "a man
VINO is fond OF angling. but il is lots or
sport. Get in the right water with good
bait, crab herring, and there is sport
pulling ont the fish. They come more
OFTEN than bass and no long and tiresome
waits are encount cred, and catching them
while the water is cool affords more sport
than is generally imagined"
Catfish Are Plentiful.
Catfish are II be found in great numbers
III the waters OF the Eastern branch. as
well as in the Potomac. Almost every
q afternoon and evening anglers for catfish
line the sides of the Banning bride, some
of them remaining all night. Not only is
it sport for those who frequent the bridge,
but some of the patrons OF the bridge find
the catching of strings of fish a profit a BILE
pa slime. A place known as Devils Ell
bow, few hundred yards south of
the bridge. Is resai ded as an exceptional
ly sood place Tor such fish. and many
large perch are also caught there.
The waters about Chesapeake Beach are
in ideal condition, and number! of fish
ing parties nave arranged to spend TIN.
day there tomorrow. u is true that it
is yet early Cor salt water fishing, but
there is no reas III why some good rock,
perch and catfish should not De caught
there this early. \ good Shad and her
r.ns season has been experienced in the
Chesapeake bay about the popular re-
sort, and, ii is stated, rock follow them
1t is said by many fishermen that the rea-
son anglers do not have much luck
catching rock is because their tackle is
not properly arranged
In the first place, said one of the
knowing ones, the hook should ALWAYS
be attached to the end of the line. and
only one hook should be used. If the fish
ing Is done In deep water. where there
heavy lead but under condt .ons a small
Slot is heavy enough to keep the line and
bait lar enough below the surface of tic
water.
Not Fond of Noise.
Now he added, II am not one of
those fellows who think a man, has to
keep as still church mouse while
angling. but with rock fishing it Is alb
sclutely necessary to keep quiet in order
TO be successful. There is no reason in
the world why rock should not be causbr
at Chesapeake Beach tomorrow if the lin.
is properly rgged and the right bait
used. Fresh herring make ideal bait
while soft crabs OF peelers are preferred
by many.
Many fine rock have been caught in the
deep water below the Chain bridge dur
ing the past month, and white. perci,
fishing has also been good there Fish
ing is usually good near the head of the
tidewater in the spring, white perch and
rock following the Shad and herring TO
the spawning ground Recent rains nut
a stop to the fishing, however. and anglers
,..l,- 10