222 CHANNEL ISLANDS OF CALIFORNIA 



weight, moving about but a few feet distant, was one 

 long to be remembered. The dominant feature, aside 

 from their color, was dignity. The contrast with the 

 albacores and bonitos was striking, and did not fail to 

 make an impression upon all observers. At the time 

 referred to, our launch was but one among many drift- 

 ing about, curiously enough, all having the same luck 

 with the yellow-fin. 



This is an interesting illustration of the fickleness of 

 fishes of this class. The leaping tuna is equally exas- 

 perating. I have moved over throngs of them; had 

 them follow my boat; crossed their line of march with 

 lures of the most enticing character, but all to no 

 purpose. Even when they were biting they invariably 

 stopped about August first; so suddenly this happened 

 that it came in the nature of a shock. All of which 

 suggests that angling, like many good things in life, 

 requires patience for its complete accomplishment; 

 and it can be said that this fine game fish deserves all 

 the patience one may be forced to give it. 



But the trouble with me was that when I was 

 ashore the yellow-fins were biting and numbers were 

 taken, and when I was out and ready for the fray 

 they concluded not to bite — an illustration of 

 fishermen's luck. Still there are compensations: I 

 7nay some day lure a big yellow-fin with light tackle; 

 and after all, hanging in the Tuna Club is the big 

 nine-and-three-fourth-pound rainbow trout, which I 

 submit is a compensation for being ashore at the 

 wrong time. 



The following are some of the record catches of the 

 yellow-fin, made by Light Tackle Club members. 

 Many more were taken by the Tuna Club: 



