The Kingfish 293 



disappeared from the North, probably seeking 

 warmer waters farther south. 



In appearance the Spanish mackerel is very 

 beautiful, especially when taken from the water. 

 The upper portion is a deep, steely blue, the lower, 

 silver, while over all is a sheen of delicate pinkish 

 iridescence. On the sides are orange-colored spots. 

 The dorsal fins are tinted black, white, and yellow, 

 seemingly blended to increase its beauties. So 

 far as its economic value is concerned, it ranks 

 second to none, the fisheries being extremely 

 valuable, amounting annually to about 2,000,000 

 pounds, valued at about $75,000. The largest 

 number are taken in pound and gill-nets. 



The bonito, Sarda chiliensis, is, in my estima- 

 tion, one of the gamiest fishes taken with a light 

 rod on the California coast. It is the humming- 

 bird of the sea, no description or word-painting 

 being adequate to describe its beauties. An eight- 

 or ten-ounce split bamboo, with very light line 

 baited with a two-inch sardine or smelt, or several 

 anchovies, is the lure most telling at Santa Catalina. 

 I anchored one day in a little bay not far from 

 the isthmus and went ashore, giving instructions 

 to the boatman to " chum " while we were at lunch. 

 Half an hour later a signal came telling that the 



