238 Big Game Fishes 
piscatorial Wandering Jew. If it is very hot, there 
is more chance for an early strike, as the tarpon 
evidently prefers warm weather and the resultant 
warm water. Some wit has described this phase 
of tarpon fishing as sitting in a Turkish bath 
holding a string; but the heat in this part of Flor- 
ida is cool compared to the still days where I have 
fished far down on the outer reef. Despite this 
uncertainty, the angler should take for his motto, 
Nunguam non paratus, and live up to it, as a 
strike is liable to come at any time. There are a 
thousand and one diversions in Florida to occupy 
the angler, who of course is a lover of nature, even 
if the fish are not biting; and again it may be the 
day of days when the game is in the Pass and 
fish are seen at once rising all about, flashing here 
and there. Such a day Mr. O. A. Mygatt of New 
York found at Boca Grande on May 26, 1808, 
when he took twenty-two tarpons, which I believe 
is the record; while at this famous locality Mr. 
W. H. Grenfell of London took one hundred fish 
between April 19 and May 10,—both of which 
cases illustrate the possibilities in this sport of 
sports. 
We may assume that it is a fishing day. Pres- 
ently the line begins to run out, and you aid 
