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Shad fishing on the Susquehanna River
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Native Americans
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Imagine the amazement and delight of the first Native
American who saw a SHAD RUN occur on the Susquehanna River
thousands of years ago. Shad runs occur when shad swim upstream of a river or
tributary to lay eggs in ancient spawning grounds.
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During a shad run, which normally occurs in late March
through May, millions of shad traveled up the Susquehanna River to lay their
eggs which they had done for many years. The number of shad were of such
magnitude that some accounts describe the water in front of the shad as rising
three to four feet and being visible for almost a quarter mile away. The Native
Americans were probably thrilled at this food source, so easily caught and in
such an abundant supply.
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The Native Americans used different methods to catch shad,
including baskets made from twigs or vines, carved fishhooks made of antler or
bone, bow and arrows, and fishnets made from wild hemp, or at night by spear and
torch lights.
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Another method Native Americans used was a sluice, that
they made by piling rocks to form two walls which narrowed to funnel the shad
through a narrow outlet. The shad could be easily caught as they swam into a
basket or trap set at this narrow opening. The shad could also be driven into a
shallow pool of water, the entrance blocked with stones, twigs or vines and shad
caught by hand. Although the spawning period lasted for only a few weeks, many
shad could be caught. The shad were salted, smoked, or dried for winter use.
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American Shad
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American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is the most
popular of six species of shad and herring that live in the Chesapeake Bay. This
shad is a handsome fish, with a metallic blue-green back that lightens to silver
on the sides with a black spot on the shoulder with several smaller spots
trailing behind. The American shad can reach a length of 30 inches, with adult
fish weighing 4-8 lbs. They are the largest—and considered the most delicious to
eat–of all the shads.
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The young shad remained for a short period of time in the
waters of their birth, before starting their journey back to the ocean.
Unfortunately, the young shad, being very delicate faced a long and dangerous
journey. Tens of millions of young shad started this journey, but millions of
young shad were killed on their journey each year after being caught in a
sluice, fish dam, basket or trap. Even damaging the scales on a young shad in
handling was fatal because the immature shad were so delicate.
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Fishing Methods
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Shad Floats
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Although not associated with Washington Boro, is
noteworthy to mention a river vessel known as a “Shad Float.” The Shad
Float can be described as a floating fish processing plant. It was up to 100
foot wide and up to 300 foot in length. They usually had small buildings placed
on them which housed the workers, as well as others used as kitchen/dining area,
office, and fish processing. Some floats supported 50-100 workers at a time.
Containers or vats were used to store the shad after they were cleaned. The
Shad Floats utilized large seine nets and attached guide ropes to deploy and
retrieve the nets. One company based in Havre de Grace, Maryland had a fleet of
three floats and their spread nets were close to 3 miles in length. No floats
were known to have been used in the area of Washington Boro.
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Seine Nets
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Seine nets used offshore of Washington Boro were smaller
than commercial seine nets used on the Shad Floats. The nets were under 200
feet in length and 15-25 foot in depth. Often the net was anchored to a fishery
located on an island, a tree along the shoreline or a shad battery. Shad
batteries were frequently constructed of a wood or log frame and filled with
rocks. Deploying the seine nets required the use of a large flat bottomed boat,
just like those used to transport animals for island farming. Typically a “lookout”
upon spotting the shad, alerted the crew and the boat deployed the net, and as
the shad entered the area, arched the boat and net back to the island, shore or
battery. The fish were caught in the net, and fishermen waded in the water
removing them by hand.
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Gill Nets
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The “Gill Net” was a net that had floats on top and
weights on the bottom. They were spread in similar fashion to the seine net,
but before sighting of the shad. Nets were placed in a channel, some
allowing to drift, others anchored. The shad’s gills were caught in the netting
and the fishermen, guiding their boat along the net, collected the fish by
hand. The Gill Net was made illegal in Maryland and Pennsylvania in 1824.
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Dip Nets
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The “Dip Net” was another style of net used for shad
fishing. The nets were similar to present day nets used to catch minnows for
bait. These nets were lowered into a pool, and as the shad passed, the net was
raised and the fish removed. There are records of the owners of island,
shorelines or batteries leasing to individuals the right to use their
operation. The owner charged a fee which allowed a person to operate the net
for “one dip”. Lines of customers formed and after a person took his "one dip"
he often went to the end of the line to purchase another dip.
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The Shad Wars
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In the early part of the 18th-century the Province of
Pennsylvania found it necessary to pass laws making it illegal to construct a
dam without making provisions for the passage of spawning fish. Few people
followed the little enforced law and the construction of waterway dams
continued, and few made provision to allow the shad to pass freely. This
spawned an era know as the "Shad Wars". In some cases commercial
fisheries or residents living above a dam that was obstructing shad spawning,
damaged or destroyed the dam to restore free movement of shad, preserving their
livelihood.
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During the ongoing shad wars, frequent illegal fishing
took place. It was illegal to fish for shad within one half mile of any fish
passageway of a dam. One such incident in the late 1800’s was reported in the “Philadelphia
Time”s newspaper. The newspaper reports that five fish wardens were sent to
Columbia to enforce fishing laws at the canal. Having no respect for the law,
the shadders overturned the warden’s boat, forcing them to swim to shore. As
they reached the shore they were assaulted by onlookers. Later, after reaching
their hotel, the innkeeper locked the warden’s door for their own safety.
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The Tidewater Canal
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Just above Washington Boro, a wooden dam, “The
Tidewater Canal Dam,” was constructed across the Susquehanna River. The
purpose of this dam was to raise the water level which allowed barges to be
towed from the Lancaster County shore across the river to the York County
shore. The dam did not completely block the water, but had breaks which
although allowed river vessels to pass downstream. These breaks also allowed
the passing of shad, but the swift current deterred most shad from passing
through the openings.
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Washington Boro Shad Fisheries
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The islands, sand bars and rock outcroppings of the
Susquehanna River near Washington Boro were used as "Shad Fisheries and
Batteries." These were used to anchor seine fishnets, or places where dip
nets were lowered into the river current. Maps developed by the Safe Harbor
Waterpower Company in the 1920’s list dozens of batteries, island and shoals
used in the fishing for shad.
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To the residents along the river, it was apparent that the
shad were a source of food as well as a potentially profitable business. Until
the 1700’s shad spawned without obstruction. Small mill dams and later larger
dams spanning the entire width of the Susquehanna River eventually brought an
end to the shad fishing industry. Thomas Jefferson operated shad fishing
operations on the Potomac River and shipped much of his catch to England where
he could get top dollar.
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Many of the islands of the Susquehanna were owned by the
state of Pennsylvania. As the state began selling islands to individuals or
companies interested in using them for the fishing industry, early records track
the Shad fishing industry. In the last years of the 19th-century almost 50 Shad
fisheries or batteries were located near Washington Boro and the catch during
those years averaged around 60,000 fish per year.
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Isles of Promise
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Public records show the Bitner family of Washington Boro
were owners of a series of thirteen islands, that were later the focus of a
postcard sold in the early 1900’s. The card was entitled "Isles of Promise."
These islands were sold individually around 1857.
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Mud Island and the Ortman Brothers
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The local newspaper "The Columbia Spy," printed
numerous articles about a large island near the York County shore named "Mud
Island." This island was a very prosperous shad fishery for over 100 years.
The island was owned by Charles Evans but later sold to the Ortman Brothers,
John and Isaac, of Washington Borough. After the construction of the Holtwood
Dam in 1910, the Ortman Brothers moved their fishing operations below the dam
for a short time. It was reported in 1911 that “the Ortman Brothers, having
moved their fishing operation below the Holtwood dam were catching nearly 500
shad per day.” Within the next few years shad no longer migrated to the
Holtwood Dam and reported catches dwindled. After completion of the Conowingo
Dam, shad fishing in Pennsylvania waters of the Susquehanna River was no more.
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“Nearly 2000 shad were caught at Ortman's Island battery
from Monday midnight on until Tuesday morning at three o'clock. They are sold
at the batteries at from $20-$25 per hundred.” "Columbia Spy," May 7, 1881
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“There was plenty of Shad on Friday morning. The Ortmans
caught 700 at Mud Island on Thursday night.” "Columbia Spy," May 21,
1881
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“Mud Island Sold, John B. Roth, surviving executor
of John Bumberger, deceased, sold at public sale, at the Franklin House, on
Thursday, one half interest in this celebrated Mud Island and fisheries thereto
belonging, about a mile or more below the dam. The Ortman Brothers John and
Isaac-bought it for $3200. At this figure it is considered cheap. It has paid
a rental of $350 for the past few years. Its tobacco and shad crops are always
immense.” "Columbia Spy," November 8, 1884
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“It is reported that Ortman boys at Mud Island Fishery, did
some fine fishing on Monday last, capturing in the neighborhood of 500 Shad.
This includes a "tower" of day and night with two seines.” "Columbia Spy,"
May 2, 1885
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Frank Miller
Frank Miller
resided at 1988 Water Street, the present home of Mr. & Mrs. Harold Williams.
The
property of Mr. Miller's extended to the Susquehanna River, where journal
records indicate in
much the same manner of a tenant farmer, would fish for shad for his neighbor,
Mr. Geir (Gehr) as well as the Wertz Hotel. His shad records are from 1902
through 1905. WBSSRH extends our thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Williams for
allowing us to display these pages.
Click to view
records
The Wertz Hotel
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Older Washington Boro residents remember hearing from
parents and family members about “Planked Shad at the Wertz Hotel." The
Wertz Hotel, also known as the Susquehanna House, was known far and wide for
these tasty meals. It is reported that during the spawning season, they served
over 100 people per day, sometimes under an outside awning. It was not uncommon
for patrons to enjoy a delicious meal and then board a raft to travel and watch
the shad fishermen on Mud Island.
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Many groups and social organizations met for dinner at the
Susquehanna House. One of the groups was a Lancaster Auto Club. Local and
state politicians were reported to frequent the Wertz Hotel.
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The construction of the Holtwood Dam basically put an end
to Shad fishing in the Susquehanna River. The two sets of fish ladders
installed at the Holtwood Dam were ineffective in allowing the shad to move up
the Susquehanna.
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A Columbia Spy Article
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"WHY
IS THE SHAD GROWING SCARCER" is an informative article published in the
“Columbia Spy” December 4, 1886 and can be read online from our link
(table of contents page) to the “Columbia Spy.”
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Click for more information
on the American Shad
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