Evening star., 1928-03-26
ROD AND STREAM
BY Perry Miller

At the request OF Harry R. Huston,
head OF the Virginia Department OF
Fisheries, close watch on the markets
is being kept by inspectors of the State
Conservation Department Of Maryland
for shipments of small fish.
This action followed the seizure OF
large quantity of white and yellow perch
smaller than the State OF Virginia per-
mits for expectation into Maryland.
Many Of the perch which were seized
in the Baltimore markets were as small
as or inches in length. The
legal catch size for both yellow and
white perch is 7 inches. This law
also is supposed 10 be enforced In Viz
ginia waters. where the fish were caught.
Commissioner Earle of Maryland re-
ported.
The Maryland department has been
urged TO cooperate in checking the
shipments in an effort 10 trace the fish
back 10 the fishermen and shippers,
In the opinion CT this column Vir-
ginia has splendid fishing laws. but they
are not properly enforced. The case OF
the three men who were allowed TO go
free after being caught with over 700
bass in their possession is an example
OF the laxity OF the enforcement OF the
fish law II was alleged that one OF the
men arrested was second offender, and
still he escaped punishment,
The thousands OF anglers In the Dis
trict Of Columbia were elated when they
learned Of the seizure Of the bass and
that the offenders had been apprehend-
ed, and terribly disappointed when they
learned that these men were allowed TO
escape punishment. owing to lack Of
evidence AS previously stated, this ac-
ton on the part of the Virginia author
tiles is an invitation to other illegal
fishermen 10 ply their trade without
fear If ever an example should have
been made, this was the case to do So
and show others what they might ex-
pect II caught.
Potomac In Fine Condition.
The Potomac River is in fine condi-
ton for the anglers but only COM
parativcly few have braved the cold 10
try their luck with the catfish. the only
deniZens OF the deep that are biting at
this time. A report reaching this COL
umn stated that a good many OF these
fish had been caught on the Virginia
side OF the river near the railway bridge
right at the old piers in the water that
were used before the present structure
vas erected
Another report states that many nice.
big perch have been landed In the nets
all about the movements Of fish In
nearby waters. says he has not seen any
perch in the river as yet. but that he
heard some herring have been seen. He
says that II any perch are up the river
at this time, the water is too cold for
them 10 commence TO bite II these
gamey little FISH run true 10 form. IL
viii be only about IS days before they
make their appearance in large num-
ka.Fg - At
season is just around the corner.
A fishing excursion de luxe" 10
Watchapreague Va, under the aus
pices of the Atlas Sporting Goods
store is under way II sufficient num-
Der Of local anglers are interested The
tentative plans for this excursion call
igr start from Washington during the
FIRST part Of May. when the big trout
are running down there. The date will
BE- some time between May 6 annd 49,
It Is proposed 70 engage bus or bussea
ior the trip, going 10 Annapolis over
The Defense highway, a ferry across
the bay and a delightful run 10 this
wonderful hahing ground The plans
call for two or three days of fishing
two days provided the weather Is good
and third day If rain or wind should
interfere.
All local anglers Interested In this
/ excursion should get In eommunica~
tion With Oliver Atlas Of the Atlas
/ Sporting Goods Co At least so an
glefs must signify their desire TO make
th& trip de luxe" 10 Watchapfeague
Va. " get advantage Of n special rate,
ahd ~ course the more above this
number the merrier
THIS excursion Is the first of It's kind
Z he EaV
/ ~ Inquiries reaching this column In
tIe past about trips t0 WatchapfeagIe,
lafB. number Of anglers win have
/ lht opportunity 10 enjoy at last "A trip
~ the wonderful fishing grounds they
nave bren looking FORWARD 10 50 long
II q sufficient number of anglers sign
/ up ipT lhia excursion oliver Atlas viii
tee tiat lhey are supplied with cigars
ana cigarettes 0n both legs Of the trip
ana lunch viii be served en- route
each way al one of the towns on the
| Eastern shore
The Miami fishing tournament, an
/ annual event staged by the interna-
| ll"hhiy famous Miami Anglers Club.
| mas opened In Miami, ana the big iibh
| ~ the buf Stream on that place are
| ~ iot more or less rough deal
/ Ihe members officially are listed on a
| giant blackboard and their catches and
| weights are checked OFF daily. The
] tourney ~ divided into classes, includ
/ lhR balIhah bGnefish. barracuda, dol.
| phln. bonita tarp0n, tune and aWord~
! ilsh
This tournament is considered the
/ Iheat sporting event tor fishermen.
! ne angler does not take f1hh 0ut 0f
/ Lile water unless he is certain n Ii
! heavier hnd larger than the previous
I ttfdu ~ MS catch Is a small fish. II
! goes hack INTO the sca ~ grow some
! more All boats carry an 0t1ieai weigh
! master VINO gives the correct weight Of
F. the fsh aa u is caught The anglers
are permitted ~ uae only light tackle
/ equipment the ordinary fisherman
| Wonid end inadequate 10 land big
| hsh. Elh ny mis- skill he eompetes for
! the prizes,
Uid time fishermen watch weather
| conditions with keen eye for the best
llfae ~ ny their luck. but few af them
| realize The important part that con-