The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1902-07-11
Catch of a Tarpon.
My Dear Grandchildren:
st. Petersburg, Fla.

My Dear Grandchildren:
This is the story of the catch of a
tarpon. We went down to Pass-a-
Grille about twelve miles from ST.
Petersburg, Aunt Kate. Aunt Mary,
Uncle Mac and l. I wanted that
the Kathleen and let us see him catch
a tarpon. l had seen them leap out
of the water hundred times but had
never seen one caught, SO / told Uncle
Mac that it would be nice show and
] would sit under the awning and see
him catch the fish. We went down
Thursday evening, had a good stiff
breeze and a beautiful sail. The next
morning when we got up the pass was
full of fish and we could see the tar
pom show up their silver sides as they
rolled lazily down the tide. The tar
pom grows to great size, between six
and seven feet long and girth about
thirty-six inches. The weight of fish
of this size is about 225 pounds and
this is about the largest. Uncle Mac
and Aunt Kate had cup of coffee
aud without waiting for breakfast
lowered a row boat and started out.
In about fifteen minutes Aunt Kate
shouted "Got him." and in a few Sec
onds we saw him leap, about 100 feet
in front of their boat. He dashed out
Of the water, clearing it by about six
feet, showing the glistening silver of
his sides in the morning sun and
shaking his head furiously to get rid
of the hook. These hooks are pecul-
iarly made with strong in-curve to
prevent their being shaken out of the
fish's mouth. Aunt Kate held the pole
| that hooked him but now she handed
the pole to Uncle Mac. He clapped
both thumbs over the pad on his reel
| and held hard. The fish made dash
to the right and again leaped from
the water as before, and in few sec
onds here he was on the left and re-
peating his vigorous leap in the Dir,
shaking his head, while the, water in
crystal drops fell FROM his silver
sides. This is no figure of speech,
dear children, it was "crystal and
silver" Now We saw the boat swing
sharply back in line to cross the pass.
Uncle Macs face was set, as with
both thumbs on his reel guard and
leaning forward he put such strain on
the fish as his line would bear, about
80 to 40 pounds, and as fast as q
horse would trot the fish took the boat
for half mile straight across the
pass, and giving one grand leap in
the air turned down with the tide, say
ing as plainly as a fish could say, 81
give it up" He made but little more
fight and Uncle Mac worked him back
across the pass, firing him completely
out, and landed him on the clear sand
beach. At a quarter of seven they
were back to the Kathleen. We
hoisted up the fish. He was black
down the back, strip about siA
inches wide, the rest was pure silver
glistening in the morning sun. He
measured Ave feet ten inches in length
and in girth thirty-four inches, weigh
ing about 160 pounds The party
wanted that should try one and
went out for while but did not get a
bite. There was sunken ledge near
by and we wanted fish for dinner.
went over to it and in about five
minutes had on a four-foot shark.
wore him out and dropped my liue
again and this time pulled up fine
red grouper, a fish built like black
bass, only deeper and thicker, beau.
tiful bronze on its back, sides red
shading to clear white on the belly.
The inside of the mouth Is a beauti.
full carmine. The meat is white and
delicious. After dinner we sailed
home, we'll paid in seeing the ''catch
of tarpon." j. NJ. L.
Council Meeting.
| L.