250 WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW TO CATCH FISH 



Same work, " Elops Saurus." Common names, " Ten-pounder," 

 " Big-Eyed Herring." 



U. S. Commission, 1899, Evermann & Kendall, page 55, 

 ' ' Albula Vulpes. ' ' Common names, ' ' Ladyfish , " " Bonefish . ' ' 

 Page 54, "Elops Saurus." Only common name, "Ten-pounder." 

 Classed in the "Elopidas," "The Tarpons." 



My excuse for inflicting upon my readers the above long explana- 

 tion, or discussion, is that the Bonefish of Biscayne Bay and the 

 Keys has become very prominent as a sportsman's fish, and there has 

 been, and is now, considerable dispute as to his proper name. The 

 scientific works are not accessible to all anglers and fishermen, so I 

 have undertaken to clear up the difficulties as far as possible. There 

 is no doubt whatever that the fish has borne the name of Bonefish 

 where he is mostly caught, on the East Coast, for fifteen years or 

 more. 



Mr. J. B. McFerran of Louisville, Ky., who has fished for sport 

 on the East Coast during the winter seasons for twenty-six years, was 

 the first sportsman to catch the fish with rod and reel, and is entitled 

 to all the credit for the discovery, and inauguration of the Bonefish 

 " industry " among his brother anglers. 



I call it an "industry" partly because a man most assuredly has 

 to be very industrious if he catches the fish. 



I requested Mr. McFerran to write out for publication in my book 

 an account of his early experiences with the fish and he kindly consented 

 to do so, and his letter will close my last chapter. He kindly refers 

 to my, possibly, knowing nearly as much about the fish as he does, 

 in which he gives me too much credit, as he has probably caught 

 many hundreds, while I have caught a total of only about forty-five 

 during the past five years. I, however, was fortunate to have as guide 

 during one week William Brickie, who has been his guide for many 

 years, and I at once was taught just "where, when, and how" to 

 hook, handle, and land Mr. Bonefish. 



Miami, Fi.a., January 11, 1902. 

 Mr. W. H. Gregg. 



Dear Sir : 



In response to your request regarding the Bonefish of 

 the Florida East Coast, I beg to say that, possibly, I have had as much practical 

 experience with him as any amateur angler that I know of, saving, possibly, your- 

 self. I had been coming to Florida ten years at least before I knew there was 

 such a fish in existence. 



