Evening star., 1918-02-09
ROD AND GUN

Anglers are wondering II the ice ever
| will leave the river and mako 1t pos
sible for them to wet their lines.
IT think it will be about the Fourth
Of July before tho ice leaves the Pa
tuxent river" suggested A T. Schroth.
on his return from the home OF the
Glebe Club. at Mount Calvert. where the
ice was thick enough for teams to cross
to the Calvert county side of the
stream.
Members OF the club have been de-
prived Of their usual ducking trips on
the Patuxent this season, because Of
the ice. They enjoyed splendid marsh
shooting In the fall and killed ducks
early in the season. however. but the
carly appearance Of ice deprived them
Of sport later In the season.
It also was means OF preventing the
usual hsh fries during January. Here
tofore 1t was possible for people resid-
seines during part of the winter sea-
son and catch Ash enough for members
Of the several clubs to eat and some to
bring home.
But the nets are high and dry now"
commented a clubman. I'VE hope. how
ever. that the closed river means good
sport the coming spring"
I'VE are showed under, and the wise
ones on the river do not expect the ice
to move for three or four weeks" was
street, at Rock Point, Charles county.
Nd. this week.
'The lighthouse keeper has left" he
added, and expects the house to go
with the ice."
AS soon as the Ice disappears from the
river. he wrote, a good run OF fish.
rock and perch, probably will be on
hand to greet those who operate early
spring nets.
oystermen who look after the hum
dreds of Washington anglers, who visit
Rock Point during the fishing season
have met with some success longing
oysters the past month. They cut the
ice from the river over Lancaster's bar.
took up oysters and trucked them over
the ice to the oyster houses.
Several motor boats that were left In
the river last fall have been damaged
almost beyond repair. Some OF them
ever. and put in readiness for the an
glers who are anxious to open the
spring season.
Charles r. Holman spent the week
end in his bungalow at Aqua creek.
Virginia. where much of his spare time
in summer Is spent on the river catch
ing fish. while the fall and winter sea-
Holman got his share OF birds. rab-
bits and squirrels last fall. but when
the ducking season came along came
the ice and called halt to his gun
ming operations.
''There was nothing but snow and
ice as far as the eye could see," said
the sportsman. telling of his recent
visit to his bungalow.
snow" he added. but who would kill
q bird In the snow? The season for
quail closed February /, and game war
dens in that part Of the state are en-
forcing the law. The people about
Aqua creek are law-abidins, however,
and do not have to be watched. but 1t
may be a different story with some
visitors"
A police census Of quail In the Dis.
1885 birds. Capt. Falvey Of the seventh
precinct reported a total Of SOB birds
in the territory west of Rock creek.
while in the ninth precinct. which
the county. total Of only twenty
seven birds was reported. Experienced
gunners residing In that section o.
clare the number should be at least
two or three hundred.
In the tenth precinct. which covers
much Of the county directly north Of
the city the number reported was 22S.
and in the eleventh precinct. Anacostia
and part OF the county 70 .ne sAse Q!
the city. the total number reported
was 4S1.
Police Of the four precincts have fed
the birds during the past two weeks.
depending upon voluntary contribu-
Killing Of the birds In the District is
prohibited at all times. but their pos
session 10 permitted until March is.
long after the close OF the season In
nearby states.
speaking Of quail" said Andrew ].
Byer, they are very plentiful In the
sportsman would kill bird while the
ground % covered with snow.
sTha cold weathsr, has been excep.
tienallY hard on the birds thls. winteI,as
sthtn 1il1a1 1880 f1Aan 1Iille4