68 Big Game Fishes 



June, generally soon after the arrival of the 

 flying-fishes. For weeks perhaps anglers from 

 all over the country have been waiting, vainly 

 fishing, when suddenly in the offing a black, 

 arrowlike object is seen to rise into the air, 

 A splash, a rush of waters, dozens of flying- 

 fishes radiating like gigantic dragon-flies in every 

 direction, and the tuna season has begun. Every 

 boat and angler is in a short time in the midst 

 of the fray, and many strikes there are, but few are 

 taken. 



As to the time for tuna fishing, there is a 

 difference of opinion. Some anglers are on the 

 ground at daylight ; others follow the schools 

 at all times. I have had better luck ; that is, more 

 strikes, early in the morning on a rising tide, but 

 the tuna is fickle game. At times it bites vigor- 

 ously, then will cease without rhyme or reason, 

 during which exasperating period schools of hun- 

 dreds may be passed and crossed, the fish abso- 

 lutely ignoring the various devices of the angler. 

 The fishing-ground may be said to be from the 

 point of Avalon Bay to Long Point, a distance 

 of four miles, and from fifty feet to a mile off- 

 shore. The tuna is a strategist, and this shore- 

 line, with its numerous open bays, the mouths 



