Evening star., 1926-12-17

When Congress gets to work on the
appropriation bills this year it will
find an item calling for a boathouse
to he erected at the Tidal Basin. at
cost of $12,500, submitted by Col. U.
s. Grant, officer in charge of public
buildings and parks OF the National
Capital.
Col Grant is convinced there is
CRYING need for a bOathouSe at the
Tidal Basin, one provided with lock.
ers and other equipment. 1t was sug-
gested to him in view of the fact that
the project to convert the Tidal Basin
into one of the best municipal fishing
ponds in the country had reached such
an advanced stage. in that the racks
to prevent the escape OF bass had been
placed in position, about 1000 bass al
ready planted and plans for additional
bass well under way, il would be ad-
viSable to have two sets of boats, one
set for the anglers and another for
the business man who desired merely
to take little exercise, the boats for
the latter class to be equipped with
sliding seats.
Col. Grant is enthusiastic over the
project from the fishing angle and as
serts he will do all in his power to fur
ther It, Some of the features Sug-
gested to him were a. small fee for
the privilege of fishing In the basin,
nominal charge for the use of boats.
and live box for bait, so that anglers
would not have to worry about find
ing a place to buy their minnows and
smelt. 1t also was pointed out that
the fee for fishing would make possible
the replacement of fish caught with
out calling on the Bureau of Fisheries
for any appropriation for this pur-
pose.
1t now is up to the anglers Of Wash
ington to urge Congress to make this
appropriation at the current session.
There il only one fly in the ointment.
and that is, even IL Congress makes
the oppropria ton, it win be 1928, in all
probability, before actual construction
is completed. 1t was suggested to
Col. Grant that the present structure
at the entrance to Potomac Park be
used next Summer as a boathouse.
This has been taken under advise
ment.
Florida Fishing Attracts.
With Winters icy hand in evidence
hereabout, the anglers thoughts now
are turning to warmer climes where
his favorite sport can be pursued.
Especially do his thoughts 60 to Flor
ida, where wonderful fishing Is avail
able
In florida there are many fishing
grounds, but one of the best is known
as Long Key. home of the Long Key
Fishing Club. Some of the largest
specimens IF tarpon. sailfish, bar
racuda, bonita and other tropical fish
are brought in to Long Key annually
by the hundreds Of fishermen who
visit the place in their escape from
Jack Frost's wintry grip in the North.
Tackle specifications for tarpon,
sailfish. amberjack, kingfish and bar
racuda used at this club and for which
prizes are offered are: Rod to be OF
wood, butt and top not shorter than s
feet inches over all, tip not less than
feet in length and to weigh not more
than II ounces.
For bonetish, tackle specifications
are: Wood rod not under 9 feet, tip
not less than feet In length, weight
not 10. exceed Az ounces line not
to exceed standard 9-thread Light
tackle specifications are a I2-thread
line and Zip not more than 6 ounces.
Glen &. Leach, chief of the division
OF fish culture, United States Bureau
of Fisheries. in a recent address at
Utica. y. Y, paid tribute to the
Izaak Walton League of that city,
and said: Cooperation of the Walton
League of Utica with the Bureau of
Fisheries is the largest undertaking
bl BlS hlnu III the united StaIeS.
Jeach's subject, THE Passing of
Natures Resources, Fishing" was
discussed in national way. In part
he said.
The average man now on the
shady side Of life undoubtedly can
remember the time when he could
with little effort obtain A good bag
Of game or string Of fish. A careful
review of who is who will show that
L. II.
not sprung from the alleys or man.
sions of the cities. In almost every
instance the early boyhood of these
men was spent on the farm, where
they roamed barefoot and free. fish
ing the small streams for perch and
catfish. or tramping the field with
the old muZZle-loader and scant
amount of powder and shot In reserve
Those We're the days when real men
were in the making.
To-day the business man is awaken
ing to the fact that nature is the
most wonderful thing, while men y
inventions are only means TO an end.
After "A mad rush OF years men are
taking an inventory OF themselves
and of conditions. Where is the game
of yesterday? The buffalo, bear, deer,
mountain sheep, wild turkey, wild
pigeon and many others live only in
story books and Zoos The younger
generation look upon them as belong
ing to the dim and distant past, or as
participants in fairy tales.
Same Fate Due for Fish.
what is true of the game is true
of the fish. What will be the result
in a few years? Generations to come
will look at a bowl of goldfish while
dad relates how he used to catch the
willy trout or the tigers of the inland
WaterS-the bass and the nike