Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-02
CATCHING A TARPON,
How the Heavyweight Angler Reaches the
Proudest Moment Of His Life.

How the Heavyweight Angler Reaches the
Proudest Moment Of His Life.
From the Florida Times Union.
One bright day on the broad verandas of
the hotel at Punta Gorda beautiful one-hun-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES tarpon was placed
before the gaze Of the guests and the capturer
OF this great beauty gave dissertation on tar
pom fishing that may be Of use to others con-
templating angling for this fish. He had been
at 1t day after day for two weeks, had gotten
three bites and one fish, but was perfectly sat
ished in the recompense for his time, money,
journey and patience.
Gentlemen" says he. II am prouder Of
this than any event Of my life."
How did you catch him?"
well, says he. II secured q boat and a man
and had him row three miles up toward the mouth
OF Pease river. The equipments were o good
stout rod and reel, 800 feet of line, strong
hook baited with mullet and to the hook a silk
leader, one foot long, about as large around as
your little finger, so soft and pliable that the
hshs jaws cannot sever it. Dropping your
DAFT to the bottom, you have your boatmsn row
100 feet away, then anchor and unreel 100 feet Of
line. which is carefully cooled in the bottom of
the boat in such way that it may run out rap
idly when the fish starts. This much done
take from your pocket q flask of that which all
good fishermen are provided with, imbibe your
drink, I'LL your pipe smoke it, and while the
blue wreaths float on the gentle gulf breeze
landward peruse your novel, and when the sun
sinks in gorgeous crimson across the gulf into
the western world, reel in your line, and pro.
coed to the hotel. This is your first day-you
have caught nothing. This same performance
may be repeated for . succession Of days with
~ unpronounced success.
"on the fifth day you go again. and after
having waited somo hours the boatman tells
you that the line is moving out slowly-a tar
pom IL on it. Don't get excited. There is plenty
OF time. Mark the page Of your novel, lay it
aside, knock the ashes from your pipe, place it
in the case, examine your rod and reel, and,
finding 1t in good working order, wait. Now
the flsh starts more rapidly; he has swallowed
the hook and 1t makes an uncomfortable feel
Ing In his stomach; that is where it should be.
line brace yourself and strike him strong and
heavy. The fun bcgins. the effect is like an
electric shock, the fish gives one grand leap
from the water, and rs the sun strikes his scales
as he proceeds on his parabola he CLEANS as if
studded with a million diamonds.
He proceeds at break neck pace for shall
low water, and a dozen times does he leap with
renewed energy. his fin cutting the water like
cleaning blade. Keep the line gently taut,
and If he goes directly from you you will be
unable to guide him in a circle, which should
be your endeavor. Have your boatman row d.
but you have the satisfaction that he and the
boatman will become exhausted about the same
time, but the fish proceeds not far before he
concludes that this is the fight for mastership;
he changes his tactics, doubles back on you,
and when he does this you have that tired, gone
feeling, as il the Ash were lost. He leaps again
in the air and shakes himself in wild endeavo-
to throw the hook, like serpent
spring. from its coils. He is again in
shallow water; you havo rapidly resled
your line and found him still there; he
crosses your bows at hundred feet distance,
and If you keep a gentle pressure you guide
him In circle which becomes narrower and
narrower as the fsh's struggles weaken. Now
you have him within few feet of the boat;
handle him gently, for il you do not it is likely
that the silver king will make one grand strug-
gle for liberty, which may prove your sad de-
feat; but you have guided him slowly to the
side OF the boat, your boatman gently slips his
hand in his gills, and with one muscula-, dex-
ferrous movement lands him in your bos..
"You cut out the hook, reel In your limo, store
1t away in its case, relight your pipe and pro-
coed homeward. You are victor in the grand
est fight OF man against fish,"