The herald., 1894-09-17
SHOOTING FLYING FISH
A NOVEL SPORT FOUND AT CATA-
LIMA ISLAND.
MAring Game That Rivals tho Pigeon rs
Msrk-Jrwfish and Ysllswtail
Not Affected by the
Game Laws.

There is certain game at Catalina that
is always in season. The game laws do
not affect the jewish, that can be caught
from June to January, and the yellow
tail can be taken whenever the fisher
man is successful enough to do it. The
yellowtail promise to run late this year,
and mum bers are now being brought in
every day; but new sport has been
discovered that promises to become ex-
tremely popular.
Yesterday Mr.. Hancock Banning took
out party of friends, among whom
were Mr.. Mellus, Mr.. Smurr and several
others, the object being to shoot flying
fish on the wing. which was supposed to
The launch Linda carried the party,
and ss she rounded Sugar Loaf
rock Mr.. Mellus sat on the forward
deck with Scott hsmmerless shotgun
with lot of cartridges filled with No s
shot. supposed to be the right thing for
the new game. The little steamer
rushed along down the coast and when
off the second cafion up fe v q big flying
fish, its wings scintillating in the sun
light, it's blue body flashing, looking for
all the world like an enormous dragon
fly or some gorgeous insect. 1t dashed
ahead for 20 feet, then turned, exposing
its side, and was rapidly making for
place of safety when the shotgun spoke
and the flying fish seemed to rise into
the air and was bowled over as neatly
as a quail on the wing. Hardly had
the report died away when another
rose and dashed straight ahead, bat Mr..
Mellus took it skilfully, dropping it
at long range with the other
barrel. Between here and Whites
landing twelve flying fsh were
flushed" by the boat, 10 of which were
shot on the wing. making most exciting
sport, as the fish were dashing through
the air with all the velocity of quail,
while the launch was also at full speed
and not at all steady, so. all in all. it
was fine exhibition of fancy shooting,
and Mr.. Melus is probably prepared to
meet all comers. A match is being got
ten up between some crack shots for
this new sport, and promises to be quite
the fish as they rise on the right and
left, A water spaniel could easily be
taught to retrieve the fish, though rhsy
sink very soon after being shot. Alter
the shoot the party landed at Whites
and made trip up the canon, which Is
Que of the most beautiful on the island.
Whites has the only good sandy beach
on Catalina, and it is ss fine as that at
Long Beach, and stretches around in
beautiful semicircle; at the north emo
is rock like sugar loaf, and on the
south q rocky hill resembling castle.
Away up the canon looms Mt. Black
Jack, forming the background, while
lofty hills cut the caflon and give it
The beach is 30 curiously arranged that
at one end there is fine surf bathing and
at the other smooth water. Some OF
the party Investigated an old Indian
graveyard mere and various objects were
Misunderstanding knives of f1intan many
small objects.
Tho aeon at Catalina has been ex-
ceptionally good and last year at this
time the boat was running but three
times a week against every day at pres
ent with good passenger list, showing
a tendency to increase the length of the
season. Among the late arrivals at the
Metropole are DR.. and Mrs. Allen and
family, Redlands; Mr.. and Mrs. Wolf
skill! and Miss Wolfskill. Redondo; Mr..
and Mrs. Morehead, Pomona; Mr.. and
Miss Cousin, San Francisco; Mr.. and
Mrs. f. J. Parks, Boston; Mr.. Wait
land, Fresno; A. o. Johnson.
Garvanza: Mr.. Smurr, J. Mellus.
Los Angeles; Mr.. and Mrs. Wallet, st.
Louis; Mr.. and Mrs. q. P. Anderson,
London Mr.: and Mrs. Joseph Rainey,
Boston Miss Kepple. Boston; DR.. and
Mrs. Talcott, Pasadena; Mr.. and Miss
Talcott, Pasadena; Miss Dsnham, Pass
dena; MIR. and Mrs. George Patton, San
Gabriel; Mr.. G. F. Stratton, San Fran
cisco I; Mr.. and Mrs. Henry L. Lee and
family. Los Angeles; Mr.. Pomeroy and
Mr.. Day, Los Angeles.