THE SILVBE KING 



All anglers, whether lake, river or sea, will see the point in 

 this estimate. It means that the catch and waste or injury of 

 fish is reduced to the minimum and that the sport is enhanced 

 and elevated to a science. 



As a spectacular catch with rod and reel, the tarpon ranks 

 next to the Santa CataUna swordfish, which outjumps it ten to 

 one ; but the big tarpon and the biggest swordfishes are poor 

 jumpers. The record for number of tarpon in a day is held by 

 Mr. L. G. Murphy, of the Tuna Club, who has taken twenty-five. 

 The world-record fish for weight in Florida was taken by Mr. 

 George, two hundred and thirteen pounds. The sensation of the 

 angler when the tarpon of best condition goes into the air can 

 hardly be described. Few men can view it or experience it with- 

 out a sense of exhilaration, and I have seen a strong man 

 utterly undone and panic-stricken by the action of a fish seemingly 

 over his head. 



The tarpon angler now has three distinct places to fish : Florida 

 in the early spring ; Tampico in the winter ; Aransas Pass 

 in summer ; and Florida is by no means impossible in summer. 

 Being nearer, Florida has been a favourite for British sea-anglers, 

 and many have made fine catches here, notably Lord Desborough, 

 Mr. and Mrs. Turner, and Mr. F. G. Aflalo, the founder of the 

 British Sea Anglers Society and author of many classics on 

 angling aU over the world. Mr. Aflalo made his headquarters at 

 TJseppa Island. The season during his visit began here April 

 21, and ended May 19, during which six anglers took one hundred 

 and twelve tarpon, thirty-three of which were over one hundred 

 pounds. In 1903 the catch was three hundred and thirty. Mr. 

 Aflalo's catch was : 



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