28 GAME AND FISH RESORTS. 



wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, quail, reed birds, wild pigeons, etc., 

 can be obtained in greater quantities here, than at much-talked-of 

 places hundreds of miles further off, and scarcely accessible. 



Washington. There are hundreds of places on the Potomac, within two or 

 three hours' drive of Washington, where blaclc bass and perch are abundant, and 

 'where the. rarest sport is afforded. The Little Falls, Dam No. 7, and the basin 

 above it, Stubblefield Falls, the Great Falls, and many other places between 

 Washington and the latter point, are celebrated for good fishing. Duck and snipe 

 shooting, and on the marshes in the vicinity of the city are reed birds, black-birds, 

 ortolans, jack snipe, stiff-tails, and canvas-back ducks. 



Marlborough Point is the best place in the vicinity for quail, or for bar shoot- 

 ing for mallard ducks. 



On the eastern branch near the vicinity of Benning's Bridge, is a locality for 

 plover, mallard, sprig-tail and teal ducks, and reed birds. 



Black Bass Fishing in the Reservoirs. Connected with the aqueduct which 

 supplies the cities of Washington and Georgetown with Potomac water, are two 

 immense reservoirs, one of which is known as the receiving reservoir, and the 

 other as the distributing reservoir. The first is used for the storage of water to 

 supply the city in case of a freshet in the river, or when the water continues 

 muddy for any length of time ; and the other, located at the head of the pipe line, 

 supplies the various mains leading to the two cities. Both of these reservoirs are 

 filled with black bass. The receiving reservoir was first completed and filled 

 with water. It has been in use about fifteen years, and during that time the bass 

 have increased and multiplied therein with great rapidity ; besides the supply is 

 annually increased by the young ones, which come down the conduit from the 

 Falls, and easily get through the wire screens into the reservoir, on account of 

 their diminutive size. Many now in the waters of the reservoir, have been there 

 twelve or fourteen years, and in that time have attained a weight of from four to 

 five pounds. This reservoir covers an area of forty-four acres, and varies in depth 

 from two to fifty feet. The presence of fish in the reservoirs was long a disputed 

 question, but is now generally admitted that they are beneficial to the water, as 

 they feed upon the animalculae, and to a great extent clear it of insects and vege- 

 table matter, washed therein by rains from the surrounding hills, which are culti- 

 vated. Some years since it was noticed in the spring, that the water had a fetid 

 taste and smell, and it was then argued that its offensiveness proceeded from fish 

 in a state of decomposition in the reservoirs or pipes leading to the city. Other 

 water-works in different parts of the country had the same trouble, and the sub- 

 ject was scientifically investigated. The generally received opinion now is, that 

 it arises from the confervse, which, under favorable circumstances, are generated 

 in all reservoirs. 



The bait used for bass in these waters is live minnows, frogs, and crawfish. 

 They never rise to a fly in the still water of the reservoirs, though they often take 

 it in the Potomac in places where rocks abound, forming rapids and eddies. The 

 bass undoubtedly spawn in the reservoirs, and for that purpose seek the head- 

 waters in the spring, where it is not so deep. As warm weather approaches they 

 return to the deep water. Fish are frequently taken, weighing from two to three 

 pounds, and when a bass of that size is hooked in water fifteen or twenty feet 

 deep, with no rocks, grass, or snags to catch the line, he affords delightful sport. 

 Their favorite feeding time is early morning. Trolling for them with minnow for 

 bait, is often very successful in these reservoirs, especially in August and Septem- 

 ber. A permit from the aqueduct authorities is necessary, to enjoy the privilege 

 of fishing in these waters, but the courteous gentlemen who have charge of the 

 work, never refuse such permission to gentlemen whom they know will not abuse 

 the privilege. 



FLORIDA. 



Florida has an area of 59,268 square miles, and a population 

 of 187,748. The country is level throughout the State, with the 

 exception of between the Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers 



