CHAPTER I. 

 INTRODUCTORY. 



I have been a frequent visitor to Florida, my first visit occurring 

 in February, 1885, and I have spent the most of my time at the vari- 

 ous angling resorts on the Eastern and Western Coasts of the State. 



Before going there I had been a reader of the angling literature 

 of the times, wholly, or in part, devoted to that part of the United 

 States. 



Among the works I consulted were Frank Forester (Henry Wil- 

 liam Herbert), " Fish and Fishing," 1859 ; Thaddeus Norris, ''Amer- 

 ican Anglers' Book," 1864; Genio C. Scott, "Fishing in American 

 Waters," 1869; "Camp Life in Florida," edited by Charles Hal- 

 lock, principal contributors: S. C. Clarke, " Al Fresco" (Doctor 

 Kenworthy), and " Fred Beverly," 1876; " Sportsmen's Gazetteer," 

 Charles Hallock, 1877 ; " Camping and Cruising in Florida," James 

 A. Henshall, 1884. 



The above books, with the contemporaneous articles and contri- 

 butions to "Forest and Stream" and other periodicals devoted to 

 hunting and fishing, furnished to the visiting anglers a wealth of 

 information as to where to fish in Florida. 



At the time Dr. Henshall published his " Camping and Cruising " 

 there were only the following named railroads in the State : The 

 Narrow Gauge, between Jacksonville and St. Augustine ; the Penin- 

 sular, between Fernandina and Cedar Keys ; and the one from Jack- 

 sonville to Palatka, on St. Johns River. 



Parties visiting the West Coast were obliged to go by steamer up 

 the St. Johns River, and stage or wagon across to the coast ; or by 

 rail to Cedar Keys, and then north or south to their destination by 

 small steamers, or small sailing craft. Parties for the East Coast 

 could go from Jacksonville to New Smyrna by steamer or sailboat, 

 then up or down the inside, or outside, waters to destination on sail- 

 boats ; or could take steamer up the St. Johns to Sanford, or Enter- 

 prise, and stage or wagon to New Smyrna or Titusville, then small 

 sailboat up or down the coast. 



While the above conditions of transportation prevailed, it can be 

 readily seen that the fishing tourists were not very numerous. Since 



