Evening star., 1909-06-26

'Harpers Ferry. Both rivers muddy
here
Anglers have become so accustomed to
reading the message quoted that they
no longer cherish hopes of being able to
put up much of contest with the bass
In the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers
this season. They are living in hope that
the rivers will clear in time for the fall
season. however, and then they expect
better sport than they have enjoyed in
many years. There is no doubt about
there being plenty of bass in the rivers,
anglers say, and the continued muddy
water at this season ought to prove an
excellent protection to them.
But why wait for clear water" w. H.
Buckingham asked an angler friend one
day THIS week. Bass will take bait in
muddy water occasionally. Only a few
days ago, while fishing near the Little
Falls. l caught small mouth black
bass, although / am willing to admit l
was probably as much surprised as was
the fish,"
Buckingham is regarded as being one of
the best anglers about this section, trying
der all conditions. Last winter. when
most anglers had their tackle put so
securely away that they hardly knew
where to find it, Buckingham was doing
the gumshoe stunt about the river max
ing catches of bass and Mississippi cat
fish. and he landed some fine specimens
One day last week he ignored weather
and river conditions and cast his line just
below Little Falls.
The water was high and muddy when
he reached the fishing grounds and start
ed his quest for rock Small eels, con-
sidered the best bait for such fish were
used and hardly was his line in the water
before something had hold of it. A lit
tie tugging and UP came a black bass
one of the Small-mouth variety and others
who were near him became SO excited
that one of them came near going over
board. Three rock. two Mississippi cats
and several eels finished up his afternoon
catch.
]. William Lee, one Of Washington's
piscatorial artists, is making extensive
preparations for his fishing trip to Co
loup and Stony Islands, Lake Ontario.
next month, still remembering pleasant
incident of his last trip. His friends on
the islands have learned of his prospective
coming and are seeing that their larders
are we'll filled
Col" Lee, as the angler is known
about the fishing grounds. has such great
sport when on the lake that he prefers to
have other members of his party tell OF
the luck they have.
But as long as you are talking about
it." he is willing to admit, I'VE catch
DldCk DdSS IncTe ALMOST dS last as Willie
perch are caught in the river here in lie
spring, and anything under fifty is not
considered fair days sport"
One afternoon on the occasion of his
last trip to the lake he had John Cotton.
his oarsman, with him and both were
fishing. In another boat near them were
his friends. Judges Mcconnell and Emer-
son and their oarsman. John Cotton got
a strike and felt that he was going tn
land a fish, but his line slackened and
ha q
had Strike, and in he pulled a fish. Col
ton felt his line moving.
Hold on there" shouted the colonel,
there's something doing
fronted the two anglers which promised
to start a pleasant controversy. There
was big bass holding on to a hook of
each anglers line and the question to
credit for the fish. 1t was suggested
that court be convened and the uues-
tion settled in a judicial manner, and
that the court should be one of last re-
sort.
Col" Lee was up against a strong
proposition. He had made claim to hon.
ors against a man who was on his own
territory and the judges also belonged
not far away. His idea was to allow
judgment by default, but he went to
was against him.
Treat or leave the island" was the
sentence Of the court. and the WASH
ington angler did not leave the island.
although he still disputes the Justice OF
the sentence.
The bass caught about the vicinity OF
the islands weigh from one to five pounds
and an annual prize Of a twenty-dollar
gold piece is given for the largest fish
caught.
y X X,
Aboard the launch st. Charles a week
ago was a jolly crowd Of anglers. They
left the wharf at the foot of Sth street