I cannot close these articles on fish and fishing without a few words
of commendation of the Tuna Club of Catalina Island. From the very
inception of this organization it has striven to encourage the use of
light tackle by all anglers. To this end, it has adopted three classes
of tackle specifications for the taking of the several kinds of fish
found in the waters surrounding its island home, and provided a number
of cups and buttons to be awarded each year to anglers who land fishes
of certain weights, with such tackle as is prescribed therefore by its
rules. This campaign, which it has so energetically urged in behalf of
scientific angling, has worked wonders in its section of the Coast.
The old methods of landing fish, even of the gamiest quality, by the
employment of nothing more than brute force at the end of an
unbreakable cable, has almost disappeared in its section, and
scientific angling with the lightest possible tackle has taken its
place. But the good work of the Tuna Club has not been confined to the
boundaries of its own section. Anglers from other sections of the
country visiting Catalina, and seeing the additional pleasure derived
from the use of light tackle, have become enthusiastic advocates of
this more scientific means, and returning to their homes have spread
the propaganda there.
To the stiff pole and chalk-line fishermen of confirmed habits I have
nothing to say. But to the younger generation who have not yet grown
grey in the practice of bad habits, I wish to urge upon them the use
of the lightest tackle possible, as a means of developing greater
skill and deriving greater pleasure from their favorite sport. And
this is equally true whether it be a tuna or a trout.