The Yellowtail 143 



way: The tip of the rod is lowered to the surface, 

 then, pressing the thumb upon the leather pad, 

 the fish is lifted with all the strength the line .will 

 bear, the angler always watching for the rush 

 which invariably follows, and when the tip is 

 raised three or four feet, it is suddenly dropped, 

 the slack so gained being reeled in as rapidly as 

 possible ; then the fish is again lifted and the 

 operation of " pumping " repeated indefinitely, or 

 until the sulker'is brought into sight. With expe- 

 rience or practice this becomes an easy by-play, 

 and the fish can readily be brought up. The 

 angler gazing over the side now sees a dazzling 

 object of silver careening across the line of vision 

 deep in the azure heart of the ocean. Up it 

 comes, now dashing along, causing the boatman 

 to row the boat around in desperate attempt to 

 keep the stern to the fish. As it comes higher, 

 or nearer, making gallant play, the old hand pre- 

 pares for what is perhaps the most desperate rush 

 of all, and it comes with a loud barcarole from 

 the reel. 



Ten minutes have slipped away before the 

 boatman begins to finger his gaff, then the angler 

 reels the fish "in short," passes his tip forward 

 as the fish turns, protesting, ready for another 



