Recreations of a Sportsman 



on 



The Pacific Coast 



CHAPTER I 



FIGHTING A SWORDFISH AT NIGHT 



OUT in the Pacific about fifty miles from Los 

 Angeles, a long mountainous caiion-riven 

 island belonging to the Government stretches for 

 twenty or more miles along the surface, like 

 some crouching monster of the sea. When it 

 was discovered by Vizcaino in 1642, it hap- 

 pened to be the day of Saint Clement, and San 

 Clemen te it is to this day: the home of the 

 biggest game fishes of this thrice-blessed pisca- 

 torial region the swordfish, tuna, yellowtail, 

 and white and black sea-bass. 



I have wandered over and about the island 

 many times, and for the past three years have 

 fished its waters with Gifford Pinchot, chief 



