The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-09-01
LIFE At SANTA CATALINA,
Features of Existence on That
Happy Island.
Sea Fishing Which Presents Many
Features of Attraction.
The YsilowtaiI Biting wsIl-A Tidal
Wave That Failed TO Keep Its
Date-Big Fish Caught
on Light Rods.

IL AVALON, Aug. 3O.-There was consid-
cradle disappointment expressed ct Cat
alma at the non-appesrsnce of the tidal
wave. 1t was fzzle all around. The
crank who announced it was wise
enough to select the day of the year
when tides rise the highest, SO that
this could Da used to fall back ON, but
the tide even failed and did not make
Its usual rise. A number of women and
children were, however. much alarmed
ct the rumors, and one irate husband
has sailed for the mainland to take it
out of the prophet, who succeeded in
frightening his wife. II Ia curious
commentary on our exalted higher
civilization that people can be found who
will believe in these rawlings OF cranks
and insane people.
Catalina 10 filling up with the Sep
TENDER contingent of tourists and visit
ors, and the promise ia for delightful
month with the best fishing OF the
Beason. The weather here has been de-
lighttul and cool, fine breezes coming in
every day all day, and even during the
hot wave the heat was not disagreeable
and would not have been considered
"red hot" in the eaot. Catalina il as
near perfect in the way of climate as
can be found anywhere, aud as resting
place cannot be equaled. The yellow
tail that have been coy for some time
have begun to bite again, and some flne
catches have been made. A party went
TO Silver cafion few days ago and struck
the yellowtail country with such force
that they soon lost nearly all their
hooks. The fish we're very large. and
several 30-pounders were brought
in. Among the skilled fisher
men who use light rods and
who would rather take one 30-pound
feb in this way than 30 on hand line,
there ia much competition and all are
trying to see how large q fish can be
taken on light line. Mr.. Hugh Vail
is at present in the lead, having taken
65-pound shark on rod and reel. O.
II. Holder of Pasadena took a 65-pounder
on light base rod, the tip being trout
split bamboo. The line was the small
Cuttyhunc No. 10. Yesterday Mr..
Vail and George Viele went out to take
Compound jewish in this way and 80
break the record. and had 1t not been
for piece of kelp the major would
undoubtedly have accomplished it; as
it was, he hooked his fish and played
him for 20 minutes, the big fish then
making run beneath the kelp and go
breaking the line.
September has Usually been a good
month for yellowtail. and the outlook is
that good sport will be had between
now and the 1st OF October.
The steamer Vine, that has been lying
here for a few days, made O record in
the annals of yellowtsil fshing. Mr..
de Puy took 4D,pounder, and others of
the party took specimens that, while
not so large, gave more fine sport.
Among the fish here that give good sport
on light rod 10 the rock bass that runs
up to eight pounds. The writer has
caught it on an eight-ounoe split bam-
boo, and found ID almest "a
good sport as taking the black
bass OF eastern waters. The fish
resembles bass all but the
color. which is lighter, leaves the water
when hooked in the came way, and pro-
vides good legitimate sport whom it
weighs four or five pounds. Several sea
bass have been taken recently, Miss
Reed of Pasadena securing q fine one In
Catalina harbor, as well as several yell
lowtail. :. The sea bass appears to be
heavier fish than the yeilowtail in pro-
portion to ita size, but is mot 80 active
and does not make the same fight. The
yellowtail is king, and will do more to
add to the fame of Santa Catalina
among sportsmen than anything else.
In the east thousands of wealthy men
20 to Florida every year for the fishing
at Indian river and the tarpon on the
gulf shores, and these gentlemen will all
come to Catalina for the yellowtail
Cab rbav nf ~ Tho
writer has taken a tarpon and knows
what 1t is to see the mass OF
silvsry light dazzle the eye. have
caught the gray snapper, grand
game fish and the gulf king fish and
barracuda, but for sll-around fishing the
yellowtail takes the belt. If the Cali
fornia barracuda was as large as the
gulf of Mexico fab it would afford fine
sport. l have taken specimens of the
latter five feet long, weighing 45 pounds,
a savage fellow that fought like tiger,
and never gave up until struck in the
head. The gulf OF Mexico has another
fish not found in the Pacific the king
fish. It looks like barracuda, but is
more gamey. The yellowtail OF the gull
of Mexico is rarely over two feet long,
and is thoroughlya bottom fish. have
often taken it in 80 and 20
feet in the breakers. A magnificent
specimen of swordfsh fosted into
Catalina harbor few days ago. 1t wac
one OF the short billed variety and the
old sailors mere had never seen one be-
fore. 1t was the bill fish Of science or
short billed swordfsh, tetsop turus
Rlbidus. The fab was about six feet
long. very stout, its bill or sword about
foot long and was badly splintered in
contest. 1t was pierced through and
through by some other fish, probably
by the sword of the swordfish that is
also found in these waters. This 10 the
first specimen of the kind taken here so
far as known.
Among the recent arrivals at the
Metropole are Mrs. j. III. Wilson, River
side; Mr.. and Mrs. A. 8. Mangsum.
San. Jose; Mr.. and Mrs. R. T. Wander
wort. Pasadena; J. M. Davis. Dem
YER A. 8. Veney, H. HI. Metcalf, Los An
geles; John W. Corley, Mr.. and Mrs. ]. s.
Mellus, Los Angeles; L. Hewitt, A. P
Savage, Oakland; Mr.. and Mrs. +. F.
Hurlout. Miss Hurlbut, Pasadena; Mr..
and Mra, Hugh Vail. Los Angeles; B. o.
Bruce, Pittsburg; w. G.. Workman and
family, Los Angeles: ]. A. Hall, Fl. A.
Nichols, Redlands; Mr.. and Mrs. Rule,
Mrs. T. Gleason. Pasadena; Mrs. w.
Plecurrav. New Orleans r. q. Latham,
Kansaa City; w. g, Bailey, San Diego