The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-09
THE ROD AND POLO STICK,
Schoolteacher Who Caught a
Mess of Fish by Clever
Kicking.
Some Fancy Prices That Well
Trained Polo Ponies Real
ICED In England.

Anglers who had wet lines in San An
dreas Lake last Sunday had exceptionally
poor luck. Although over fifty rods were
counted leaving the keepers house on Sun
day morning, the aggregate catch of trout
amounted to something like fifteen. The
day was excessively warm, and that,
coupled with the fact of the night previous
having been made brilliant by full moon,
knocked all angling prospects on the head.
Among the unfortunate Waltonians who
went, saw, but failed to conquer were
James Watt, Robert Hewsen, John Sammi,
Robert Taylor, Doc Simpson, Al Smith,
Louis Rondeau, Donald McRae, Charles
Precht, "RaZorback Dolliyer, William
Ring, P. Quinlan, Otto Braunsdorif, James
Ryan, William Woodruff and many others,
who whipped or spooned the south end of
the lake.
Several inquiries were made as regards a
future stopping place for those who desire
early morning fishing, and it was stated by
gentleman who Is In position to know
something concerning the changes made
in and about the lakes that on the 18th
inst. well-known rendezvous at San
Bruno will bloom forth again, and that
anglers who wish an early or a late ride to
the lakes from the railroad station can be
accommodated. Neither James Kerr OF
lakes of the company VIII be permitted to
assist toward the pleasure of anglers in
any way hereafter.
Joseph O'Connor, principal of the Horace
Mann Grammar School, does not pride
himself very much on his angling procliv-
tiles, yet it is said that the instructor re-
Gently performed a most astonishing pis-
catorial feat while on pleasure outing to
Santa Cruz. A gentleman named McGrath,
a well-known local historian, states that
he had feasted on some of the magnificent
fish which Mr. O'Connor captured on the
sea beach, and that in point OF flavor they
compared most favorably with the Gaelic
eel-a favorite dish Of epicures.
'Weu, / was not aware that O'Connor
was an emulator of the disciples until
had his own words for it, said Historian
McGrath. why, the school teacher is a
most wonderful angler, according to his
own statement, which is as follows:
az, said he, caught something like
sixty magnificent barracuda on the beach
of Santa Cruz one beautiful moonlight
night when the huge breakers were swash-
ing on the sands and scattering spray fifty
feet in the air. The fish were actually
taken in the arms of the immense waves,
as it were, and flung ruthlessly on the
beach, where l discovered them splGshing
and tiounderlng, poor things. AS each re-
ceding roller would leave many fishes
behind on the beach to be taken up and
carried back again to their native element
by the incoming swell, made the best of
the time intervening by kicking the foun-
dering fishes on the rolling sands to the
dry land, where my companions stood,
with sticks in hand, ready to complete the
sport.
"'What variety or species of fish they be-
lorged to l was not aware until we landed
at the hotel and then to my great Joy and
surprise | was informed by Mr.. Sullivan
that they were the highly priced barra-
couta. spoiled new pair OF boots in my
attempt to break record as fish catcher,
but did not mind that so long as the fish
ing was good. 1 was afterward informed
that during very brilliant moonlight
nights several kinds of fishes made close
in shore, and that frequently they lose
their lives by being pitched high and dry
on the sands, that is, if the sea is at all
rough. Now, what do you think of that
in the way of angIingr "..
With the exception OF Burlingame and
Riverside the game of polo is not given
much attention on this coast. In Eng
land, however, the game is very popular
now, and an idea of what good polo horses
are thought of can be cleaned from the
prices some animals belonging TO the Peat
Brothers realized at sale at TattersalPs,
IN London. Eleven ponies sold for $12, S75,
a total that will probably astonish the
players OF this country and Canada. The
best prices obtained were: $4,000 for mare
named Dynamite, $4,000 for Nimble, $500
for Gay Land and $3.50 for Sister Sue.