FLY FISHING IN FLORIDA. 285 



channel bass, cavalli, ravallia, skip jacks, sea trout, 

 brown snappers, roach, and three species of bream. 



Instead of wading icy-cold and over-fished brooks, 

 tearing clothes and flesh in creeping through briers and 

 brush, and being subjected to the sanguinary attention 

 of mosquitoes and black flies in bringing to creel a few 

 fingerlings, in Florida the angler can cast his fly from 

 a sandy beach or boat, inhale an invigorating atmos- 

 phere, bask in the sunshine, and capture specimens of 

 the finny tribe, the weight of which can be determined 

 by pounds instead of ounces. 



Sea trout of the South are closely allied to the weak 

 fish of the North, and frequent rapid waters, oyster 

 beds and weedy flats. They range from one to five 

 pounds, are good biters and make a noble resistance to 

 avoid the landing net. 



Large-mouthed black bass (trout of the South) exist 

 in great numbers in the lakes and streams of the State. 

 In very clear lakes and streams they are not disposed 

 to indulge in artificial baits. As fighters they are un- 

 worthy of the notice of experts. It has been my lot to 

 capture them in many localities, and I have found that 

 after the first few struggles they open their mouths and 

 come to gaff like a grain bag. 



Brown snappers exist in countless numbers in some 

 of the streams of the State — as in the Homosassa. They 

 range from six ounces to one pound, and cannot resist 

 the temptation to capture a hook decorated with feath- 

 ers. They are good biters and full of game. Owing 



