The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-08-11
CAUGHT ON A FISH HOOK
AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE WITH
A WHALE AT CATALINA.
Interesting News Matters From the
Charming Island Kesort-Per-
sonal and News Matters
of Interest.

Special correspondence to the HERALD.
AVALON, Aug. 8-A good many fish
stories originate in Catalina, as there
are come big catches made. but there is
something in the soft air that comes
down from the mountains that lubri-
Gates the imagination, and in telling q
story 10.pound fish grows until it 10 30
large that the man who caught 1t finally
runs up against the same old fish, but
so enormous that he could not have
hauled it in. Major Bonebrake and
party on the Rambler, however, had q
most remarkable and true experience q
few days ago. Mr.. OF succeeded in
hooking whale and finding out how it
feels. They were mid way in channel
when suddenly four or five whales APP
peared along side, and not 20 feet from
the yacht. They seemed very friendly
and showed their big backs and shouted
along side in manner that 10 said to
have made the skipper look pale. Mr..
Off had big albicore line out astern,
and every once in while the whales
would come up near it and lift it out Of
the water. 80 that 1t laid along their
black backs. 1t was during one of these
performances that the hook caught q
whale. end the moment the big animal
felt it there came sound like escaping
steam, as the line tore through the
water and the 60foot whale sounded,
taking the line with it, and leav-
ing memento ON Mr.. Offs hands
in the shape of deep cut.
IL ia safe to say that he is the
first sportsman who has played q whale.
The animals are perfectly harmless, and
play about until alarmed. Az soon ss
this one was hooked the school dieap-
peared.
Yesterday there were more people on
the Island than in any period OF its his
tory, and despite the dull times the sea.
con ia the best the island has ever seen.
This is entirely due to the good manage.
ment which prevails and the excellent
sanitary conditions which exist. In
few years Avalon will be but one of q
dozen towns on the south side OF the
island. They will be connected by
launches. which will make hourly trips
between them and Avalon; piers will be
built, and the Hermosa will stop at the
various porte. This is sure to come, as
the island is unequalled on the Oalifor.
MIA coast, being more like Bar Harbor,
combines good fishing, boating, hunting
and riding features that are not avail.
able easily anywhere else. The new
coach road is now in to Cottonwood
canon, and is being rapidly pushed to
completion.
Exciting fishing episodes continue to
crop up. Yesterday Mr.. Mellus, Major
Viele of the cavalry company, Mr.. Stuart
NJ of
jewish, and hooked three, but lost them.
One ia said to have been nearly eight
feet long, and was seen distinctly by the
party as Mr.. Mellus brought him up,
but just as he was congratulating him
self ON the capture OF the monster the
fish Strengthened out the hook. ANY one
who knows what an iron jewish hook
is, can imagine the size OF this
fish, which was estimated at least
500 pounds, and possibly more.
The jewfieh were go numerous that when
they hauled up a white fish on small
line the big fellows would follow 1t up.
1t ia said there are more millionaires
on the island this week than ever be-
fore. Mr.. Reed, Mr., Stuart, Mr.. Hurl-
but OF Pasadena, Mr.. Stimson OF Los An.
geles and several more all sat on the
Metropole piazza last night; but their
conversation was not of bonds or cou-
pons. Everyone was in an envious state
OF mind, and the trouble was that q man
had juet come in with a 30.pound vel.
lowtail he had taken, after fight Of 45
minutes, on light split bamboo rod.
The biggest man at Catalina Ia the man
who catches the biggest fish. Major
Viele took two fine yellowtail, one
weighing u pounds and the other 10,
last week, on light tackle, and Mr..
Pardee killed a 30-pound sea bass on an
eight-ounce rod. The wish seems to be
to see how big fish can be taken on the
lightest tackle. Most everyone is poor
ly equipped, and so much good sport is
lost. Good rods cannot be bought here,
and should be brought, though the fish
ermen havs some for their patrons. Any
light rod will do. The Tufts-Lyon com.
pany OF Los Angeles is trying to get up
outfits exactly suited for the fishing. and
has regular yellowtail and SEA bass rods,
lines and reels. have found the No.
Is cutty-trunk line, 600 feet, the thing,
and the Expert reel the easiest man
aged, though the largest made is not
large enough for the biggest fish. You
need $50 feet of line for tuna or go.
pound sea bass or yellowtail. think
the day is coming when the same outfit
used on the St. Lawrence river will be
used here-the same boats and rods.
The boats cost from $50 to $50,
and are built for luxurious fishing,
equipped with cane-seat chairs, car
peted, cushioned, fish drawer under
the oarsman's seat, an awning, the flap
of which is raised by the bcatman when
you are landing tish, etc. In such a
boat have fished many season in the
ST. Lawrence; in many there are seats
for ladies, as in parlor. comfort being
the main object, and every facility in
the way of rod holders. ETC.. being pro-
vided. When these boats are intro