Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-19

-oHERE was an informal dis
cussion the other evening
among local enthusiasts Of
rod and reel concerning the
past record of fishing on the
Potomac. Interesting data on the sub
ject was produced. and all the evidence
tended to show that fishing on the river
today compared to what it was when
some of these members Of the
venerable organization were young. Is
but as nibble to a bite. A tradition
TO the effect that there was a period
In history when one could walk from
one side Of the noble stream to the
other upon the backs of the sturgeon,
when those huge fish were wont to
come up the river in the spring, was
gravely considered, and then pronounced
to be among that class of Information
which the serious annalist is disposed
to take cum grano salus. But, never
theless. there exist records Of unim-
peachable veracity which show that the
Potomac was once pienteously stocked
with fish of various kinds, many of
which are now unknown in it's waters,
while the others are decreasing
grievously in numbers year by year.
Thus it is ascertained that when
front of the future Washington the fish
were sometimes so numerous that they
impeded the passage Of his boat, and
although history is silent on the nature
OF the doughty captains provisions of
liquid nature. the statement bears weight
from whatever point of view it is re-
garded. Transcending the limitations of
written history, and adventuring into the
misty II not mystic, time, yclept ''prehis-
toric,' 1t is learned, from no less author
itv, fhoy Drnf hoGA hot -hnr,
the banks of the Potomac constituted a
formation higher than the dome of the
Capitol, the fishes lived, but man was
not" 1t appears that, at first, appliances
for taking the fish were needless. In rea-
son, they could be taken with any i'm
promptu device.
In those happy days. long before high
prices were even dreamed of, food in the
new settlements hereabouts was nigh as
plentiful as in that tabled land to which
a British recruiting sergeant once in
vited recruits: You will go to place"
said he. where the cottages are matched
with pancakes, the streets are paved with
barley ioaves. chickens fly through the
air, and pigs run through the streets,
with knife and fork all ready stuck in
their backs, crying. Who'll come eat
me?'"
The Indians taught their methods of
fishing to the white settlers. The method
was to wait for high tide, then wattlings
of little streams that ran into the river.
SO that water and small-fry fish could
pass out, but the large fish were con-
fined. In this way, when the waters went
down, rock, shad, herring. and some
times even sturgeon would be left in
natural fish-box or COOP
After as many had been scOoped up as
were needed. the willow wattles were
were let out This was regarded as
better way than spearing the fish. an
other native Indian method. as they
came through the shadows of Little
Falls above Georgetown. There was no
small creek near Washington that hss
not been waited" in olden days.
AS time went on. and the supply be-
came less. seine nets came into use.
The farmers along the banks of the river
selected the best places on their respect
i've properties for their fishing landings,
employed their slaves to catch shad and
herring in season. and sailed large pof
tions of the catches away as desirable
winter food. Many Of the larger farmers
Gen. Washington was busy during the
fishing season, having several shores on
his Mount Vernon estate. The produce
of one shore was used for consumption
Of the others were sold. The follow
ing il q copy Of a contract found among
Washington's papers:
February 3, ITO. Agreed with Mr..
Robt. Adam for the fish catch'd at the
Fishing Landing I bought Of Posey. on
the following terms. to wit: He is obliged
to take all catch at that place provided
the quantity does not exceed 500 Bar'ls-
and will take more than this qty II he
can get casks to put them In. He IL
to take them as fast as they are catch'd
without giving any Interruption to my
people; and is to have the use OF the
Fish House for his Salt fish. ETC.. tax
ing care to have the House clear at least
before the next Fishing Season. In con-
alteration for which he is to pay me Ten
pounds for the use OF the House; give y
q thou'd for the Herring (Virg. Money!
and q a hundred maryland curr'yb for
the. white fish. Mr.. Piper and Lund
present"
AS early as 1850 Rev. Dr. Barnaby, :