92 SUNSHINE AND SPORT IN 



arriving eventually at Fort Myers, or vice versa. 

 Some of the boats are of obsolete construction, and 

 breakdowns are frequent. This chance of isolation, 

 without even a telegraph wire, from the outer world 

 lends added charm to such a holiday. Men who 

 boast of their delight when beyond reach of the 

 electric wires (as a rule, these are the very men 

 who walk out to meet the postman three times a 

 day) can realise their lazy ideal at Useppa. For 

 such reasons, the gentle, unprogressive Southern 

 State is a delightful theatre for the fisherman's 

 holiday ; restful, balmy, far from the crowd that 

 maddens, conducive to contemplation, a backwater 

 of life's flood, yet hiding under the calm surface of 

 summer seas and in the depths of its sleepy creeks 

 such mighty game as can put rod, reel and muscle 

 to the severest test. 



Of the social side of tarpon-fishing in the Pass 

 something has already been said. It is not the 

 solitary, aloof amusement that too often breeds in 

 the fisherman a selfish and morbid aversion from 

 the company of his fellows. The morning and 

 evening mess, the brisk conversation on the launch, 

 even the less comfortable tiffin in the shadow of the 

 lighthouse, all contrast pleasantly with the solitary 

 interludes spent by each in his own little skiff. Given 

 a company of a dozen sportsmen, all ready to give 

 and take chafl^, and no less ready with help if 

 needed, each inspired by friendly rivalry that never 

 degenerates into jealousy, it would be strange if 

 the holiday could not pass merrily. 



Everything at Useppa Island is cut and dried, 

 for has it not these many years been the recognised 

 headquarters of tarpon-fishing in the Passes known 



