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natural obstruction to the upward fliglit of vigorous fish, is, 

 nevertheless, a rapid flowing river, with alternate deep holes 

 and shoal places. 



These regions of shoal water, with their frequent ripples 

 and small falls, are the favorite haunts of the Black Bass 

 during the summer months. On the approach of cold weather 

 there is a general exodus from the shoal water to the deep 

 holes of not only the Bass but of the various other varieties of 

 fish that are found in the river. The inhabitants on the river, 

 taking advantage of this habit, this downward migration, 

 have constructed dams from either shore, converging down 

 stream to a point where there is a somewhat deeper channel. 



At this point, the apex, is constructed a wooden frame- 

 work of timber, a pen into which the fish fall ; the slats of 

 this trap which are inclined, the most elevated portion being 

 down stream. The fish, working their way down the river, 

 meet the partial obstruction caused by the wall, follow its di- 

 rection to this apex, pass into this trap there formed, and are 

 washed by the current on this inclined plane, or are caged in 

 the pocket beneath. Many thousand small fish, even small 

 enough to pass through the interstices between the slats, are 

 fatally injured by being washed against them by the force of 

 the current, so that not only is there a wholesale destruction 

 of the larger fish taken in the trap, but a large number of 

 smaller ones are injured as above described. 



In some counties of the State, the inhabitants being aware 

 of the ill which would result, have secured legislative enact- 

 ments which prohibits the use of these traps in certain 

 counties; and to a large extent the citizens of Maryland have 

 abandoned their use on the Potomac ; but, nevertheless, there 

 are very many of them in use in the river, even in the waters 

 of the counties in which it is illegal. These are generally 

 claimed by residents on the other, or Virginia side. 



We trust, that for the welfare of the inhabitants of the 

 upper Potomac, as well as those of the lower Potomac, whose 

 larger interests in the Shad and Herring fisheries are involved, 



