32 COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



are supported, hundreds of fishermen with their boats are annually 

 employed by the army of sportsmen who visit the island each year 

 for the purpose of angling for the Tuna and other smaller game 

 fishes, with rod and reel and light tackle. So popular has the sport 

 become that the boatmen do no fishmg themselves, and will not 

 permit a hand-line to be used from their boats. 



In the year 1898 the fishing for the Leaping Tuna (so named on 

 account of its high leaps when pursuing its prey, the flymgfish), 

 resulted in the formation by many of the leading sportsmen of this 

 country and Europe, of the Tuna Club, with headquarters and 

 beautiful club house at Avalon, Catalina Island. With its motto, 

 "fair play to game fishes" strictly lived up to, this club has by precept 

 and example, established a high standard of sport, not only at Catalina 

 Island, but all over this country. , Its tournaments have been partici- 

 pated in. by enthusiasts from Maine to California, who have gladly 

 accepted the rules and regulations laid down by the club, restricting 

 the size and weight of rods and length and caliber of line. Valuable 

 prizes are offered at these annual tournaments, thereby increasing 

 the mterest in sea angling and adding to the membership of the club. 



Your Commission believes that what has been accomplished in 

 California may, in a measure at least, be done in Rhode Island. The 

 Tuna are here in large numbers. The shoals in the vicinity of 

 Block Island and Point Judith appear to furnish natural feeding 

 grounds for the immense schools of the fish that congregate there 

 during the months of early autumn. The hand-line fishermen have 

 proven beyond doubt their readiness to rise to the bait. Surely 

 the Tuna will not refuse the same bait simply because the line is 

 attached to rod and reel instead of bemg held in the hand. As a 

 matter of fact, though not generally kno^^•n, several Ehode Island 

 sportsmen and even one or two from more remote points have tried 

 them out with rod and reel with sufficient measure of success to 

 demonstrate that with proper tackle and equipment, experienced 

 boatmen, and some practical experience, the sport should be in every 

 way equal to that in California waters. That interest in the sport is 



