284 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



On the evening of his arrival at Homosassa he visited 

 the dock in front of Jones' house, and noticed fish 

 breaking water near the shore. He proceeded to the 

 house, rigged his rod, and was followed to the dock by 

 a number of laughing sceptics, who ridiculed the 

 " spindly rod and feather baits." In compliance with 

 Mr. Johnson's request, Dr. Ferber rowed him a short dis- 

 tance from the dock, and the fun commenced with 

 large-mouthed bass and red trout ; and from that eve- 

 ning fly-fishing became an established institution on 

 the south-west coast of Florida. For a number of years 

 Dr. Ferber has devoted his winters to fly-fishing on the 

 south-west coast, and it is to be regretted that he was 

 not requested to give his ripe and ample experience, 

 instead of one who is far beneath him in experience and 

 ability to wield the split bamboo or pen. 



The next season after Mr. Johnson's visit to Homo- 

 sassa Mr. Francis Endicott, of New York, visited the 

 locality and indulged in fly-fishing. He informed me 

 that he had captured with the fly eight distinct species 

 of fish on the Homosassa Eiver ; and I will ask where 

 else in the United States can the devotee of the gentle 

 art capture eight distinct species of fish with the fly on 

 a river but ten miles in length ? 



My friend, Dr. Ferber, on his return from the south- 

 west coast in April last, visited me, and stated that he 

 had caught on that coast, with artificial flies, eleven 

 distinct species of fish. Among the number I may 

 mention large-mouthed bass (trout of the South), 



