The Washington times., 1938-05-04

pan-sized fish. Chester slim"
Mullen, an everyday fisherman
in the upper waters, took for his
share, in the "Parlor," a six
FOUNDER on herring side.
It was our original intent to
make for the Eastern Shore to
feel out a hardhead or two. In
fact, arrangements were under
way when Byron Hale, q mem
Der of the Potomac Boat Club,
told us over the phone that any
number of his angler-boatmen
friends had gala Sunday with
the stripers. Well, that was
enough, the hardheads could
wait.
We started in at spar No. 10
between the Key and Memorial
Bridges, and in less than a half
hour had taken two rock and a
yellow-finned perch, going well
over a half-pound. From then
on we had q complete dormant
spell that never revived. We
fiShed the mouth Of Little River,
Dixie Landing, Big Eddy, mouth
Of PimmetS Run, Bush Cove and
back again to our original start
ing point with absolutely not a
strike from a worthwhile fish.
Our only excitement seemed to
be getting away from a multi
tude Of grasS-comberS that were
Of watch-fob size.
We contacted at least 20
anglers and they were practically
empty handed. Little Joe
Fletcher couldn't take it and
gave, up in disgust when the
small perch kept pecking his
bait away. Sidney Atlas made
Q large cipher with his hands
and it took no sign reader to
understand.
Several reasons were offered
why the fish had almost slumped
overnight, but the one that
struck us most forcibly was that
the perch and rock were feeding
ON herring spawn. The herring
put in on Friday and since then
their numbers have been increas-
ing, but not enough for SnaggerS
to get out their gang hooks ex-
pecting any action.
It was just one of those things
that occur ever so often when
fish seem to be iInbued with mes
meriSm-here today, gone to-
morrow. There are plenty of
pan-sized rock in the river and
will be for several weeks to come,
that will furnish abundance Of
sport. AS for the white perch, of
keepable size, they are about on
the ragged edge of their migra-
tory run and by next week they
will have said their farewell un-
til next spring.
Hardheads are coming nicely
In the Patuxent River and in the
neighborhood Of Benedict some
splendid catches are being taken
IN round numbers to the fifty
mark. Yesterday Frank Del
Vicchio and Forrest Schneider
made a hurried trip to the resort
and in an hours time had taken
seven big croakerS. Ray Thomas,
q guide Of repute, who pilots one
Of Captain Shorter'S crafts,
placed the two anglers on his
favorite grounds and they had
plenty of action in their short
stay. Captain Shorter is adding
two fast cruisers to his fleet and
IS now booking trips to the
Mindless" ...
Catfish angling may be con-
Sidered in the lower bracket by
many polished piscatorS, but
we're telling you that the per-
centage is mighty high among
the FASTENERS who fish up and
down the historic Potomac.
And if you don't believe that
catfish and the lowly carp have
a following. ride down to the
Seawall, in the vicinity of Water
Street, any fair late afternoon
and you'll see. yes, a hundred or
so colored fishermen. These
men, silent and stern, are not
after sport alone, but for meat
to help fill their larder.
Each fisherman has under
command from four to six hand
lines. Each line is attached to
a stout piece of wire about two
feet long that is stuck into the
ground. At the top of each wire
is attached a bell and at the
least nibble a tingling sound
goes up to warn the fisherman
that there's business on the
other end. These bells vary in
size and construction from the
old-faShioned sleigh kind down
to the big dinner gong.
The usual mode of procedure
among this clan Of fishermen is
to alternate the lures of each
line. That is to say. the first
line will be baited with a COB of
angle worms for catfish, while
the next in order will hold a
large hunk Of dough bait, sweet
ened with sugar, to tempt the
Slow-moving carp, and so on
down the line. Each man is
master of the situation and at
first alarm he is on his toes
hoping for meat on the table.
Yes, they all catch fish and if
you have any doubts drop down
for an inspection.