Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-05

IS the eating" is an old saying.
and never was better demon
st-ated than in the case OF
the duck and seagun that
have made the Tidal Basin their tenn
corary home during the Winter months
in search Of food. And you can't fool
these duck. they go where they know
they will be sure OF good food. and the
Thousands of young bass and other fsh
In the basin are supplying them oounu-
fully.
Last Winter and during other years
the ma jority Of these fish duck stayed
out on the broad waters of the Potomac
In quest Of food, evidently realizing
that they would be protected from gum
fire. because Z: Is against the Law to fire
any shots within 100 yards a the Dis
trtct shore. but this year they are on
the basin where they are protected ana
sure q. catching their prey.
The placing Of the many bass In the
basin over a year ago has set up
cafeteria" for these fowl. as the young
from the last spawning season are Just
about the proper size 10 make sooo
meal.
A trip around the basin will prove
most interesting sight--to those not IN
terested In the development OF the basin
a
duck are all over the basin and are
constantly diving for their prey. ii Is a
safe bet 10 say that owing TO these birds
feeding in the Tidal Basin during the
Winter months this body Of water has
been robbed of thousands OF young f1sa.
This column. in turn. called the at
tenfion OF the Bureau OF FISHERIES ana
the office OF public buildings and pubic
parks 10 the matter and asked II there
was not some way 10 stop this destruc-
ton Of the young fish but without sue
cess The only remedy Is 20 have boat
placed in the basin with an outboar5
motor and drive through and scatter
the nocks.
II there are any persons interested
enough in the matter 20 spare little
time 10 row around the basin morning
and afternoon for two or three days
erd scatter tine duck. this column viii
furnish them with roaboat for that
purpose and maybe can also supply
them with an outboard motor. This
column would be glad 10 hear from ans
one interested in this protective
measure
The bass placed In the basin cost
In 81 money ~ say nothing Of the time
and lsboY expended by those engaged In
the WORK. As stated above. the proof
a. the pudding Is in the eating There
Is no doubt about the FISH being In the
basin.
TIE Potomac River ix muddy. but
this GOES not affect those angling for
the old familiar Mississippi catfish
THESE FISH have commenced u bite and
o great many. weighing anywhere from
2 70 Q pounds, are being landed.
As q result Of the Maryland law re-
curing q license 70 FISH Ia the upper
Potomac for the small mouth bass and
other FISH. very noticeable improve
n1ent III fishing conditions Was OBJ
s~rYec last Pal More bass we're
caught Dy th@ too-snG zee! angler, and
large percentage ii! these fish were
~ size to MAKE any angler proud. IN
the river r. Gien Erno anglers were
picking Ip bass weighing 3 and 81
p1lnos And smother encouraging tea-
tJfe ass The .afge number IL small Ia $
inst were returned 10 lie water by Tie
honest anglers. who had paid oli, tneIi
nloFeY for the privilege .! tSn!ng IN
tire FoJ1nac and who want ~ he@ his
spcFt !ekDDlec ~ rs former state. When
ire angler could IL assured ~ return
3ng nonF with 81 least enough flSn fol
his dinner
This column has heard .! rom
plstg3i sopUt ne ilcenss fee ei3scthd b.
the lssi Maryland IegiSls tIre. IL va;
Feporff6 tGst SCKlf BaiIYff ~ the up
g}}ey $40 t0af Their bsIklneSs na1 fsiiff
0ff since the anglers were required 70 ~
tilFs e lpenss sDS that f4GI nearly r.
many bfnefnleD ha6 oJrne " tnei
places fof bGa'k meals End lodging
This naay " true, but III q compsratlYel,
snoft time, say two wars, these sam,
men viii be loud In thf!f praise vi III,
license fee, beeause there VIII be man,
more FISH 10 be caught snd when ti
real anglers kIlow they Will catch fxl
st certain place ~ IN certain 10
ssltty. nothing VIII keep them iron
visiting that section, Then these fnei
who now are complaining and want thi
lev feScinded viii say The license r.
for fishing in the Pot0DlaE ~as The beA
thing thai eFer happened
Conservation IL a more ~ less fGIlea
fptnsl measure Toit have ~ sipfi
these men ,hst their best i1hfekts 10
s., the pfo'fction ~ ftn and ihsl
they ~ s1tya oi,ssfyA the law and ses I
a. that Of hers % tjge same ming.
won't bs very jong before tF'n TsVfnu'
Esristh from catering ~ tht wants
ang!srf Will ne ssit IN entirely. IN
E0knss fee In Maryland IL primarily
Conservation MEASURE. and IL mat stAt