SHAD FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC COAST. 217 



of June. The yield numbered 5,080 roes and 8,610 bucks, and was 

 worth $1,943. 



On the north shore of the river, between Eastern Neck Island and 

 Swan Point, there were 51 nets set in 20 strings, the largest string con- 

 taining 9 nets, but most of them with only 1 net each. These nets were 

 much smaller than those on the Kent Island shore, the value of the 51 

 being only $3,210, and the catch of shad numbered 2,311 roes and 

 2,500 bucks, valued locally at $170. The yield of ale wives during the 

 same year was 768,000, worth $1,530. There were pound nets also at 

 Chestertown, Quaker Neck, and Orumpton, the total numbering 19, 

 worth $705. The catch of shad was 1,165 roes and 1,660 bucks, worth 

 $113, making a total of 21,319 shad, valued at $2,826, taken in Chester 

 Eiver pound nets. In addition to shad, these nets take large quantities 

 of ale wives, perch, striped bass, catfish, etc. 



The numerous fyke nets below Chestertown take many alewives and 

 a few shad, the latter species being merely an incidental catch. The 

 83 fyke nets on the river in 1896 caught 2,390 shad, of which 1,410 were 

 bucks and 950 were roes. This river ranks second among Maryland 

 rivers in the number of shad taken in fyke nets, being surpassed only 

 by the Nanticoke. The surplus of Chester Eiver shad, after supplying 

 the local demand, is sent to Baltimore and Philadelphia, good shipping 

 facilities existing to those points by both steamer and rail. 



SASSAFRAS AND ELK RIVERS. 



Sassafras River. — In this tidal stream, 18 miles long, there are com- 

 paratively few shad, the great abundance of fresh water comiug down 

 from the Susquehanna attracting them past the mouth of this river. 

 A few are obtained each year in pound nets set for alewives, perch, 

 striped bass, etc. In 1896 there were 31 pound nets, worth $1,810, and 

 the shad taken numbered 230 roes and 1,060 bucks, worth $166. 



Ulk River. — Elk River rises in Chester County, Pa., and enters 

 Chesapeake Bay near the northern extremity, having a total length of 

 35 miles. From Chesapeake Bay to Elkton, the head of navigation, the 

 river is a broad estuary three-fourths of a mile wide aud 16 miles in 

 length. There are no professional shad fisheries in Elk River, but a 

 few shad are taken in the large number of pound nets set for alewives 

 and other species. These nets are set on both sides of the channel from 

 the mouth to Plum Point, near the head of the river. Those near the 

 mouth take the largest quantity of shad, 100 or more being taken in 

 each net, whereas few of the individual nets in the upper half take over 

 25 shad. The pound nets in 1896 numbered 139, worth $8,020, requiring 

 41 boats and 85 men to operate them. Shad were taken from March 20 

 to the end of May, the yield of this species being 1,629 roes aud 3,615 

 bucks, valued locally at $637. The yield of alewives was 2,327,000 in 

 number, but this represented only a portion of the quantity that could 

 have been secured had there been a satisfactory market for them. 



