Evening star., 1923-09-09

4oCFSTdi BOOO TepOTLS nave come IN
from the lower river. Persons return
Ing from the creeks on the Virginia
side said they had good luck with the
plymouth bass, and that pike and
perch also were plentiful.
However, the strong northeast winds
of the past week played havoc with
the salt water fishermen. 1t seems
strange that the direction Of the wind
will influence fish. The wind can blow
from any quarter. except the north
east and the fish will bite. The north
east wind usually is accompanied by
rain, and this may be the big reason.
A battle is brewing. ard the scene
of action will be at Annapolis before
the Maryland legislature at its COM
Ing session. Reports state that 1t will
be one of the most strenuous fights
In the history of the enactment of
laws for the conservation and pres
land.
Chief interest is centered in the
fight that will be made against the
purse METERS. who have been reaping
8 harvest of big rockfish in the upper
Chesapeake bay. According to CON
the preservation of game and fish the
purse meters have done more damage
than from any other cause In years.
Pound netting has long been prac-
tlC6u III the Udy. anu CfeFe are scores
who, practice It, but the conserva-
tionists. agree that one purse netter
will de more real damage to the flu
ture fish supply in a week than all
the pound meters viii do in a month
Anglers and the pound meters. ac-
cording to reports are going to join
hands % fight the purse netters. with
an object of either having them con-
| fine their operations to the lower bay
or excluded from hauling purse nets
within the boundaries of the Chesa-
peake. The pound netters realize that
If something isn't done to stop the
practice Of hauling purse nets in the
upper bay they might just as we'll go
out OF business. Anglers. after the
worst season they have had in sew
thing is done they. need not try to
even wet a line after the big rock
next season.
when one purse net can surround a
school of big rcck and catch up as
high Is fifteen to eighteen tons OF
1t will be only question of a short
time until there will be the same
scarcity of stripped bass ingthe bay
| that there is of bluefish today.
The Anglers Club of Maryland al
ready is preparing to carry the fight
to the legislature for the enactment
| of laws to protect the fish, and Ii Is
| not unlikely that 1t will be Joined by
| the Maryland state Fish and Game
| Protective Association and the Forest
and Stream Club of Westminster and
other Anortsmen's organizations
All Washington anglers at some
/ time or other FISH either In the bay OF
! Its tributaries. and. enjoying this
privilege. 1t is only fair that some
| action be taken by each and every
one that exercises that privilege. A
| petition from the Potomac Anglers
Association might do lot toward
| helping solve the problem. Individual
| letters to the Maryland State Fish and
Game Protective Association or even
| to members of the legislature viii aid
Hunting licenses for the state OF
| virginia may be secured at the Atlas
/ Sporting Goods Store. When the ques-
| tion of fishing licenses to be issued in
| the District was taken up with the
clerk OF the court at Alexandria, he
very kindly. offefed to extend the