The Leaping Tuna 65 



Such is the equipment, and the angler will do 

 well to have several lines, at least two reels, and 

 half a dozen baited hooks ready for immediate 

 use, as it is the unexpected which invariably 

 happens in tuna fishing, as in anything else. I 

 have found besides duplicate rods a fishing valise 

 of value. This contains the reels, lines, hooks 

 and leaders, extra swivels, wire, pincers, pocket 

 oiler, extra guides, chamois for the reel, compass, 

 extra gaffs, hook, knife, rule, court-plaster, etc. 

 At Avalon every boatman provides the well- 

 equipped rods, but the angler who loves fishing 

 as an art and a part of his life worth living, will 

 own his tackle. The delights of angling are in 

 a general way threefold. There is, first, the 

 anticipation which lasts and is a solace through 

 long winter months ; then the possession of tackle 

 is a delight in itself; and finally the catch. Of 

 these the tackle the old rods and reels to 

 talk over in the out season, to my mind, rank 

 equally with the others. I retire my rods after 

 adequate service full of honors, and as they hang 

 on the wall, pensioned off, live over the incidents 

 in their lives so deeply engraved on their respon- 

 sive hearts. One, as a friend remarked, " is not 

 much to look at," but beneath its scratches and 



