628 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [10] 



there became acquainted with a Mr. Duane, who was one of the men 

 who drew the net. He said the actual number was 9,997, but two more 

 were added to make the figures all nines. 



When the Nanticoke dam was built the shad could not come above 

 it, and men were in the habit of fishing there with a three-pronged 

 hook, sinker, and stout line and pole. This was sunk, and after a few 

 minutes quickly jerked up. I caught two in that way ; others had bet- 

 ter luck; and it was reported that one man caught seventy in one day, 

 but I think a large reduction would come nearer the truth. 



Probably E. Blackman, of Pittston, could give some information re- 

 garding shad fishing at Towanda and Sheshequiu. Jesse Brown, long 

 a resident of Sflieshequin, and in his youth a resident of Wyalusing, I 

 think — also Chester Park, of Athens, I presume — could give information 

 upon the subject. The Park family kept the ferry at Athens at an early 

 day. Both of the above named, I think, are over eighty years of age. 



I have been examining some old Gleaners of 1811 and 1812, but don't 

 find any of the spring numbers. Some years ago I gave to my son-in- 

 law, L. B. Wyant, of Harford, McHenry County, Illinois, a roll of Glean- 

 ers of 1811 for his museum, which he opens at " Kay's Park," on Geneva 

 Lake, Wisconsin, in summer. 



5. Statement of Alvah Fassett, Scottsville, March 10, 1881. 



In regard to shad fishing, I referred to father, and received the fol- 

 lowing answers: 1st. There were two i)ermanent fisheries, one at Ster- 

 ling's Island and one below Wyalusing Falls, besides other places where 

 they sometimes fished, viz. Grist's Bar, Chapin's Island. Whitcomb 

 Island was also fishing ground, but not permanent. 2d. Sterling's 

 Island was the best ground. 3d. Over 2,000 were caught in one day at 

 five hauls. 4th. The market price was ^6 per hundred. 5th. The aver- 

 age weight was 8 iwunds, the largest 12 pounds. 6th. They also 

 caught suckers, yellow bass, and sunsbitches (what we call carp). 7th. 

 None were caught after the canal and bridges were constructed, to my 

 knowledge. Sth. The first fishing was done by the Connecticut people. 

 Father says that in 1806 his father had a share in the Sterling fishery ; 

 there were eleven shares, valued at $100 each. Says his father was not 

 much of a fisherman. 



5. Statement of G. Borrance, Hot Springs, Ark., March 24, 1881. 



1st. "Fix the number of fisheries and their location as far as is now 

 practicable." 



My memory carries me back to the fishery at Monocacy Island, the 

 one below the falls, near the mouth of Mill Creek, one at Plymouth (in 

 part a night fishery), one at or immediately below Nanticoke Falls. No 

 dam obstructed the shad at that point then. 



The fishery near Mill Creek was regarded as the main or most reliable 

 fishery, as it could be fished at stages of water when some of the others 



