American Fisheries Society. iss 
we have regularly, the last three being easily recalled for the 
Washingtonian. In these years we catch no fish. Now, again, 
why? [It is not a fortuitous coincidence for the fishing of the 
entire river is affected, and for the last two seasons comparative- 
ly no shad were taken in the Potomac so that the andromous fish 
were also discouragingly scarce. With a remote interest in the 
largest seine on the river it has been impressed upon me that 
these seasons have been rank failures, that net has gone nearly 
bankrupt for lack of shad, and the Commissioner’s records will 
bear out this statement. Again, why ? 
The long icy season, the cold spring and the chilly water may 
check the run of shad. It takes sunny days and warm to bring 
them out on the shallows where the nets are operated. Failing 
these, the shad, such as run, hug the narrow ten fathom channel 
and sneak past the threatening webs. But even at that they 
ought to show in greater form in the upper waters. They were 
probably more numerous than usual this year at the foot of the 
Great Falls, the end of their run, but missing millions are unac- 
counted for. 
Now, the Bass fishing in the Potomae from one end to the 
other has been practically nil for the same period. The flood 
years are seasons of rain, feed may be washed away, spawn beds 
may be destroyed, the numerous rains keeping the river muddy, 
and banks full through the fishing season. The burning ques- 
tion still is: Why is the Bass fishing in the Potomac poor for 
for three or four seasons in succession corresponding to the sun- 
spot periods? And may we expect big strings in 1908, the next 
year of no spots and of drought? <A friend in New York who 
formerly spent his week-ends on the Potomae and is familiar 
with all its famous stretches recently wrote me of some of his 
marvelous catches and noted his greatest as made in the season 

of eighteen years ago—that would be 1887—and would bring 
1907 as the coming good year. It is but a corroboration—1907, 
*8 and 79 ought to be drier and hotter than the last three years, 
the water being clearer, the pools lower and more fish caught. In 
each decade are the 3’s the poorest fishing and the 8’s the best? 
The question is asked that you may smile if you lke, think if you 
will, answer if you can. 
