286 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



to the presence of a number of rat-like teeth, they play 

 sad havoc with flies ; and we would advise those who 

 propose engaging in the capture of this fish to provide 

 an ample supply of feathery lures. 



Skip-jacks (or bone-fish) visit the streams in schools. 

 They range from two to six pounds. They readily take 

 a fly and die game. Owing to their build, size of fins, 

 and muscular devolopment, they are worthy of notice. 

 On one occasion I was camped at Little Gasparilla pass, 

 and at the bay side of the inlet there existed an eddy in 

 which I could see hundreds of skip-jacks. For some 

 time I amused myself by casting, and the moment the 

 bait would touch the water the surface would be in a boil. 

 I would strike and the next instant a bone-fish would 

 be two or three feet in the air. As a rule they enter 

 the streams with the flood tide, and as they are con- 

 stantly breaking the water they can be followed in a 

 boat. By following the fish on the flood and ebb the 

 rodster may enjoy a number of hours of exciting sport. 

 Between Esteno and Marco passes I have seen them for 

 hours at a time feeding on minnows near the beach. 



The Ravallia is a fish with which I am unacquainted, 

 although I have reason to believe that it exists in quan- 

 tity at certain points on the south-west coast. My friend 

 Dr. Ferber, informed me that in one of his cruises he 

 entered Billy Bow Legs Creek and noticed a deep pool. 

 He made a cast and landed a ravallia. Nearly every 

 cast he would land one or two ranging from one to 

 three pounds, unless a ravenous cavalli interfered. 



