SMALL PACIFIC COAST SEA FISHES 



include the Californian mackerel, which differs from the Eastern 

 form ; a livelier game fish, but not so palatable. I have taken 

 these fishes on an eight-ounce ten-foot trout rod and had ex- 

 cellent sport, the two or three pounders making savage rushes, 

 and in strength comparable to four- or five-pound trout. The 

 mackerel are taken here from wharves, or from boats troUing, but 

 the most satisfactory method is to find the school, and lie off and 

 cast for them. 



In shallow water is found a group of three little fishes which 

 are rarely caught in these waters as they are found mainly at the 

 islands where the big fishes fiU the eye. When they are tried, 

 anglers overlook the fact that they have a very small mouth 

 requiring a small hook, and they do not take fish bait ; crayfish, 

 abalone or crab appealing to them entirely. They are the blue- 

 eyed perch, the blacksmith, and the so-called pompano, not a 

 pompano at all. The former attains a weight of six pounds, and 

 is a very muscular plump fish, with beautiful eyes. On a trout 

 rod it will surprise the angler by the wild rushes it makes, testing 

 a light rod to the limit. Here also is the long silvery jack smelt, 

 caught with the rod, calling to mind the bony fish ; the sea-trout, 

 or bluefish, really a Cynoscion, or squeteague. In the bays will 

 be found schools of lusty mxdlet, taken by some anglers with the 

 rod by means of dough, or some equally marvellous ' portions.' 



From the literary deeps of some of the ancient authors 

 receipts of extraordinary baits can be had. We are told by John 

 Williamson, Gent., to use pastes and various unguents, and he 

 drops into rhyme to impress it upon the memory thus : 



' To fish with nat'ral flies whene'er you chuse, 

 Observe the season, and provide for use ; 

 Observe the fish, as round for Prey they rove, 

 And take your Baits where best they seem to love. 

 For search aU Nature, and this Truth you'll find, 

 Variety, that Mistress of Mankind, 

 Is not to Species, nor to Sex confin'd.' 



Then we are advised to boil down the leg of a young kitten, 



167 



