114 THE TARPON 



catch the fish quickly so that he may run back to the school 

 and capture another. I can appreciate the guide's point of 

 view for the large majority of his patrons desire to catch as 

 many tarpon as possible with but little regard to the way 

 this is accomplished. It is numbers and not methods that 

 appeal to them. But the angler has the right to insist upon his 

 methods being followed even if they are faulty for, after all, 

 the guide is working for him. 



If good judgment has been displayed in his selection he 

 will be an experienced waterman and will own a good safe 

 boat, capacious and roomy, with a revolving seat in the 

 stern, so that one can face the fish during the battle. This is 

 well nigh essential, at least for the novice. 



It is convenient to have two rods fully rigged for when 

 accident befalls one fishing can be resumed with the other 

 without delay. 



Let us assume you have used care in the selection of your 

 tackle and that it is in first class condition. Your line should 

 first be wetted in fresh water, stretched and dried in the shade 

 before use for this evens its strength by setting the lay of it 

 and thereby prevents kinking. This should be done at home. 

 Do not rely upon patent reel fastening devices unless you 

 are certain they are effective but securely lash your reel to 

 the rod, so that by no possibility it can come off in the heat 

 of the struggle. In my opinion more fish are lost by the 

 breaking of the leader than by the failure of any other part 

 of the tackle, provided the line is of high quality, in first-class 

 condition and properly secured. A leader four or five feet 

 long is better than a longer one for it is less liable to kink. 



It is permissible to double the line back for a distance of 

 five or six feet. This is not necessary. The doubled line 

 should not be used unless the knot closing the loop is properly 

 tied. Before beginning to fish wet the reel pad and the line 

 for a good distance. This increases its strength and serves 

 to keep the pad moist. The line should be wound back evenly 



