TALES OF FISHES 



Light Tackle in the Gulf Stream 



In view of the present controversy between light- 

 tackle and heavy-tackle champions, I think it ad- 

 visable for me to state more definitely my stand 

 on the matter of light tackle before going on with 

 a story about it. 



There is a sharp line to be drawn between light 

 tackle that is right and light tackle that is wrong. 

 So few anglers ever seem to think of the case of the 

 poor fish! In Borneo there is a species of Hghtning- 

 bug that tom-ists carry around at night on spits, 

 delighted with the novelty. But is that not rather 

 hard on the lightning-bugs.'' As a matter of fact, if 

 we are to develop as anglers who believe in conserva- 

 tion and sportsmanship, we must consider the fish 

 — his right to life, and, especially if he must be 

 killed, to do it without brutality. 



Brutal it is to haul in a fish on tackle so heavy 

 that he has no chance for his life; likewise it is 

 brutal to hook a fish on tackle so light that, if he 

 does not break it, he must be followed around and 

 all over, chased by a motor-boat hour after hour^ 

 until he practically dies of exhaustion. 



I have had many tarpon and many tuna taken off 

 my hooks by sharks because I was using tackle too 

 light. It never appeared an impossible feat to 

 catch Marlin swordfish on a nine-thread line, nor 

 sailfish on a six-thread line. But those lines are too 

 light. 



My business is to tell stories. If I can be so for- 

 tunate as to make them thrilling and pleasing, for 

 the edification of thousands who have other business 



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