266 Fish Stories 



ates that all over the world nearly all fishes are fickle and 

 uncertain, and the two tunas mentioned particularly so; 

 hence, no angler should go to the grounds feeling sure that 

 he is going to bag the great game. They may not appear 

 at all; they may be seen in vast numbers but will not bite, 

 or individuals may be seen and hooked even in winter, or 

 again, they may suddenly come in from the south, or the 

 great unknown and afford the famous sport that is in a 

 class by itself. He who goes tuna fishing should possess 

 himself with patience and be fortified in advance for dis- 

 appointment. But if the tuna fails there is compensation 

 in the splendid game fishes of California which have no 

 counterpart anywhere, as the yellowtail, seventeen to seventy 

 pounds ; the white sea-bass, up to eighty ; the black sea-bass, 

 four hundred pounds ; the long-finned tuna, or albacore, up 

 to sixty pounds — an unfailing game and sure many months 

 in the year ; two bonitos, salmon, a swordfish, besides many 

 small fry — all compensations for the non-appearance of the 

 famous tuna, that at any time may, without warning, pounce 

 upon the unsuspecting angler and rend and harvest his 

 tackle. 



Those who do not understand the conditions believe that 

 the tuna has left its haunts forever, but the writer has dis- 

 proved this, and according to old fishermen, the tunas of 

 California have always been addicted to this uncertainty of 

 habit, coming and going in uncertain cycles. This sport 

 gave rise to the Tuna Club, whose object is to elevate the 

 standard of sport by insisting upon the use of light tackle 

 for the largest fishes, giving splendid and valuable prizes. 

 The clubhouse of the Tuna Club of Avalon, Santa Catalina 

 Island, stands on a pier built out into the bay of that name. 

 It has all the conveniences of a clubhouse, a large living 

 room where the famous record fishes of the club may be 

 seen, and its cups and trophies. There is a large locker 

 room for rods and gaffs, a roof garden above, a private 

 landing. The club has a membership of over three hun- 



