Wachapreague
Editor Forest and Stream:
"Where the deuce is Wachapreague?" I have heard said more than once. I propose to tell through your valuable journal and also some of the attractions and advantages it presents for sportsmen. Virginia owns two counties on the Lower Peninsula, bounded by the Atlantic on the east and the Chesapeake Bay on the west. Cape Charles is the lowest point on the Peninsula. The New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad runs the entire length of the two counties, with two trains daily each way. We have a daily mail, and New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore papers reach us the day they are published. There is also daily (except Sunday) communication with Baltimore by the Eastern Shore Steamboat Co. to Onancock (ten miles) and to Bogg's Wharf (eight miles).
The nearest stations on the railroad are Only (seven miles), Milford (three miles), and Keller (five miles).
Wachapreague is on the river of the same name that runs in from the ocean -- the ocean is distant about three miles in a straight line and some six by the river, as the river has many turns. Vessels passing up and down the coast are in plain sight of the town. The tide rises and falls some 5ft.; you can carry 10ft. some three miles up the river at mean tide, I mean above Wachapreague. There are some 300 inhabitants, mostly oystermen and fishermen.
There is not a healthier place on earth. We are not troubled with mosquitoes, and during the past summer, when Long Branch, Atlantic City, etc., were rendered almost uninhabitable by them, we had none. Malaria is unknown.
Wildfowl, i.e., black ducks, blackheads, brant and geese, etc., are plentiful, but difficult to come up with, as the people are not conversant with sinkbox shooting and the waters are too extensive and the tides rise and fall so as the make bush blinds inconvenient. To sum it up, to one accustomed to the convenience of the Chesapeake Bay shooting above Baltimore, as I have been, ducking here is too hard work. However, with scows and batteries, such as they use at Havre de Grace, the wildfowl shooting should be excellent. Quail are abundant, but later in the season, after being shot at, they become wild and take to the woods. There is not a tolerably decent bird dog either in or near the town.
The fishing is unsurpassed on the Atlantic coast, north of Florida. It commences the latter part of April and lasts until late in November. We have weakfish, spots and pigfish, the last the best pan fish in the world, also sheepshead, black and red drum. The sheepshead do not take the hook kindly, but it is great fun to strike them with grains at night with a light. I have killed nineteen of a tide, and others many more. The weakfish, spot and pigfish, are taken inside, in the many channels and branches of the river and in the broad water between the islands and the mainland. The black drum are caught principally in the surf.
But from the middle of September until the run of fish south ceases, is the time for our great fun, when we go out on the ocean. I have neve caught a tarpon, but there is far worse sport than to be fast to 30, 40 or over 50lb. red drum on a 300yd. 15 thread line. I have sometimes been over an hour bringing them to gaff. They make quite as good a fight as a striped bass, and what is better, drum of that size are plenty while striped bass are not. Of course drum can be caught outside as early as June, but the sharks and dogfish bother you. It is great fun to go after shark properly rigged for it.
In October the big weakfish of 10 and 12lbs. commence to run, and then the man with the rod and reel is in his glory. The people here use the hand line exclusively, as they can catch more, which is an object to them, as they salt them for winter use. Until the Accomac Club bought a place here I had the only rods and reels in the county. You would have laughed to have heard the comments of the natives on the 15-thread line. "Dou you 'spect to ketch a drum on that? Why, he'll tare you up." It so happened the first time I went out, with two companions, I struck the first drum. "Give him line." "let him run," and lots more of advice. I was not a novice with the rod and reel, but it was by far the biggest fish I was ever fast to. I quietly remarked. "My friends, this is my private funeral; please let me alone." After taking viciously some 200yds. of line, the fish circled around the boat, twice making the line as it cut through the water; then he weakened, and in some thirty minutes I had him side up at the boat. One of the men grabbed him by the gills and slid him over the gunwale. To say I was proud but feebly `expresses it, and I was made more so by such comments from my companions as "Well, if I hadn't a seen it I'd never believed it," and "it sartinly beats anything I ever seed." I caught two that day, one of 30lbs. and other of 52lbs.
The shore or beach birds shooting is excellent and close at hand, but the birds are not near so plenty as a few years ago. There are no finer oysters in the world, and in any quantity. Hard clams abound, as do
After giving this far from exhausting account of the attractions of this place for persons fond of outdoor sports, I will now tell you what is the principal cause of this communication. My place is about an acre in extent, running down to the river. Next door to me is another place rather larger than mine, with a new house (four years old) on it, and all necessary outbuildings. It is the property of a person nearly eighty years old and his wife, not much younger. Their children are not willing for them to live there by themselves, and the place is for either rent or sale. Now, Mr. Editor, I have not one cent of pecuniary interest in this place, but I do desire as is quite natural, to have a congenial and companionable neighbor or neighbors. The house has some eight good sized rooms to it, with porches back and front, it has some really architectural merit. The yard, like mine, runs to the river, and there is an excellent garden of more than an acre adjoining that can be rented with the place, not bought. The drinking water is most excellent.
By thus bringing the place to the notice of your subscribers, I am in hopes that some of them may be tempted to join together or individually rent or buy one of the most desirable places for shooting and fishing I know of. The fishing being mostly in smooth water and inside, is equally as desirable for ladies as for gentlemen. There is still-bathing within 100yds. of the house, and the surfbathing a short distance off. The rent asked (also the purchase money) is so ridiculously low to a "city man" that I prefer giving it by private correspondence. Of course after either renting or purchasing they can make their expenses what they please in the way of furniture, table, etc.
There are two clubs in the county now; one of the Accomac club of some twenty members, about four miles down the river (Mr. Wood, of tarpon fame, is a member of it). The other is at Revels Island has some one hundred members, I believe, from all parts of the country. It is very inaccessible, being a long sail to it. Mr. Hamilton Disston, of Philadelphia, owns, I think, several shares in it, and his steam yacht Manatee is a frequent visitor to our waters for shooting and fishing.
Of course no one would rent or buy simply on my representations and without visiting the property. I assure any proposing renter or purchaser that I have very poorly presented the desirability of the place to those fond of outdoor amusements.
I will be happy to correspond with any one who may desire to know more particularly about it, and give them the price and rent, which is trifling, but I request any correspondent will be so kind as to give me either New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore references. My desire for this must be evident. If satisfactory I will be glad for any proposing visitor while inspecting the place to be my guest.
Any letter addressed to "Wachapreague, Accomac Co., Va.," and inclosed to the FOREST AND STREAM, will be promptly forwarded to me.