Ill SPORT WITH TARPON 17 



or less limber salmon and trout rods of the old country, this 

 rod handles very strangely at first, but you will soon fall into 

 the right manner of using it ; it proves very powerful, and it is 

 surprising how far you can cast with it. A tarpon rod can 

 be bought in New York for £2 or less, and those at the 

 figure I name, as I can vouch from experience, are really good. 

 As there is always a chance of killing a 200 lb. tarpon, or 

 something heavier still ; as, moreover, there are accidents by 

 flood and field to be always guarded against by the prudent 

 sportsman, I should advise taking three rods and sets of 

 tackle, although I only took two. Mr. E. Vom Hofe, of 

 New York, is, as already stated, himself a very successful 

 tarpon fisher ; he has therefore taken great pains to perfect 

 all details of tackle for tarpon fishing after consultations with 

 brother anglers, and, from his and their experience, is there- 

 fore both practical and reliable. 



The best class of butt, including German silver reel 

 fittings, costs about four dollars, and the six-foot tips are 

 made of either greenheart, split cane, or plain bamboo, and 

 range between five and twenty dollars each. Most of the 

 habitual tarpon fishers have rings on opposite sides of the 



rod, and the end ring lined with a movable collar of agate. 



C 



7 



