THE TARPON 109 



pensive. Only a portion of the rays of the sun penetrate the 

 water of the sea and 40% of them are reflected, which makes 

 a hat of little protection against sunburn. ]\Iuch of the dis- 

 comfort comes from below. When the tide is running toward 

 the sun or the angler is forced to gaze at a bobbing cork in 

 the midst of a glistening sea, the strongest eye is inadequate 

 to the task. So you should equip yourself with sun glasses 

 of good grade, similar to those used by motorists. These are 

 not only indispensable to your comfort when cork fishing but 

 they add to your efficiency in striking the fish for not a moment 

 is to be lost in responding when the cork disappears. 



If one is subject to sunburn the hot sun reflected by the 

 water will work havoc with the face and hands. Be careful to 

 avoid the burn at the first exposure by wearing gloves and 

 covering your face and neck with some emollient like men- 

 tholatum, and then applying talcum powder very plentifully. 

 No-Burn and other remedies are used with success but I have 

 found nothing so efficient as the Mentholatum. A few pre- 

 cautions at the outset will make your trip comfortable, but 

 if you get well burned on the first day on the water you may 

 suffer for a week. 



Mosquitoes — In Florida fishing, especially during the late 

 Spring and Summer, there is need for an efficient safe-guard 

 against mosquitoes both in quarters and in the open. Mos- 

 quitoes rarely bother one on the fishing grounds after sun- 

 rise. On a still evening after the rains begin, protection is 

 needed on the water as well as ashore. There is an insect 

 powder known as the "Bee Brand" manufactured by Mc- 

 Cormick & Co., Baltimore, Maryland. It is used as follows: 

 First agitate the curtains and close the door and windows of 

 the sleeping room. A spoonful of the powder is placed upon 

 some metallic substance (the top of a tin can, for instance) 

 and lighted. It gives off a thin smoke in burning which is 

 efficient against flies and mosquitoes. If the windows and door 



