Fightiiii^ a Tarpon in the Brcakcj's. 



353 



aching, almost " feelingless " fingers 

 and arms strive to regain a taut line 

 that stretches a htmdred yards away. 

 Slowly, literally inch by inch, I gain. 

 Over the waves we fight, sometimes 

 below him, sometimes above him, 

 sometimes he gleams in silver in the 

 center of a great wave, that, crested in 

 white, bears him to the blue sky line 

 above. He is getting tired and begins 

 to swim uneasily, rolling from side to 

 side. Another half leap, a rush and 

 he grows more languid in his move- 

 ments. My time has come, and again 

 I reel in. He turns and tries feebly to 



pull away, biit his strength is about 

 spent and I bring him slowly to the 

 boat. We have now worked into the 

 quiet water behind the jetties, where 

 he is soon gaffed and taken into our 

 boat. 



Tired, oh so tired, we start home- 

 ward, and then for the first time, 

 realize time and space. An hour and 

 a half have we fought, covering four 

 miles of water, with three trips through 

 the breakers. If a Florida tarpon can 

 make a more gallant fight, "may I be 

 there to see." 



HEAP OF A LAND-LOCKED SALMON DURLN'CJ THE SPAWNING SE.\SON. 



