II 



TARPON FISHING 



IT does not seem to be generally known 

 that tarpon frequent the rivers of Cuba, 

 though they are to be found at all seasons 

 of the year in a few of the rivers. I say a 

 few of the rivers, for, having searched for 

 them in about twenty, I have found them 

 in only five in the "Zara" on the north 

 coast, in the Jatibonico, Rio Negro, and 

 Damuji on the south coast, and in the Los 

 Angeles River on the Isle of Pines. Most 

 of the rivers in Cuba are fed from swamps, 

 and their waters are dark and in a muddy 

 condition, which does not seem to appeal 

 to the tarpon. The rivers I speak of are 

 fairly clear, and the Rio Negro is as clear 

 as crystal. The fish trade up and down the 

 rivers on the tide, and are very certain to 

 leave for the open sea just before a northerly 

 storm. You find them in schools of twenty 



[23] 



