Evening star., 1941-12-21


past week end TO satisfy the most
discriminating wildfoWler. There
were many in the blinds. too, in
spite Of their better judgment and
the protests of guides and almost
without exception they shot limit
bags
Indications were that the break
hunters had awaited for six weeks
had come, but Sunday the wind
veered to the northwest and the
birds Immediately returned TO mid
channel waters 10 make the rats
bigger and better than ever.
Right now there is little to lead
one TO believe any. real ducking
weather is in sight before the season
is over.
There was. however, enough rain
to make conditions almost ideal
over most of Maryland and Virginia
for upland hunters. Dogs were
working better and the shooting was
close enough to keep most every one
happy. The better shooting was re-
flected in the better bags.
Remember that dollar you showed
across the counter to fish in a ma
tional forest stream this past sum-
mer? The monies received for
those stamps is buying. in part. ap-
proximately 200 northern deer for
restocking those Virginia areas
where additional brood stock is
needed.
This work is continuation of the
restoration program through which
in most every section of the Old
Dominion. 1t is responsible for the
greatly increased population, which,
within the next year or two. will
bring good sport for those hunters
who find their fun following the
four footed hatracks.
Frank Bentz, Maryland Inland
Fisheries, estimates $500 more
anglerss fished trout and bass
streams this season than in 1910
This was quite an increase when
many of the States most ardent
anglers were in or on their way to
draftee camps.
Furthermore, Maryland's small
army of anglers agreed they had
better trout and bass fishing than
ever before. When one remembers
the low, clear waters that trout
anglers fished over most of the sea-
son it proves the success Of stocking
large fish in controlled waters.
The better bass fishing was due
directly to the low, clear waters. In
the PotoY1ac this condition per-
mitted fishermen access to areas
which had not been f1shed in years
and there were approximately 1873
fishing days out of a possible 140.
season such as anglers had not
known for a great while
Most important of the post-season
observations of the commission was
the distinct improvement in the
conduct of trout fishermen. which
BentZ says is a direct result of the
Brotherhood of the jungle Cock, an
organization which was conceived
and brought into being during the
spring of 1899 on the banks Of a
Maryland trout stream and since
has spread over much of the
country.
Members pledged creels always
less than the law allows and within
the bounty of nature. Because they
kept their pledge there probably will
be a change next season in the regu-
lation requiring the angler to count
in his limit those fish too small to
keep.
Few anglers have observed this
law because it was too easy to evade.
Some did so for the reason they
preferred large fish, but most be-
cause it was possible to have much
more fun if the majority of trout
were returned. Anyway you look at
it, this law is better off the books.
Maryland trout streams are over
the dangerous stage, but there is so
small a carryover Albert Powell and
his stocking crew are going to need
every possible day between now and
April IS to get them back to near
normal. An open winter will help
turn the trick. for there is an ab-
normal stock in the hatcheries fol
planting.