Catalina is the home of the Tuna Club, the greatest fishing organization of the world, with its international membership pledged to the promotion of scientific angling. It is here where the world's records are made, and the greatest feats in landing the fighting monsters of the sea have been achieved.
In its variety of game fishes I know of no place to equal it. The leaping tuna, the albacore, the Spanish mackerel, the bonito, the chub mackerel, the white sea bass, the yellow-tail, and the California swordfish, the sensational fighter of the ocean, are all here and ready to give the light tackle angler the most exciting contest of his life.
When the angler waits for the tides, he wants some other divertisement to occupy his mind. At Catalina he finds a pastime suitable to every hour, to every fancy, to every mood. He can bathe in its crystal waters; he can stroll along its pebbly beaches or climb its hills in search of wild goats; he can ride through its charming valleys, over its lofty peaks and around the dizzy heights that overlook the ocean; he can increase the elasticity of his step on its tennis courts, or exercise his muscle on its golf links. He can view the ancient relics of a departed people, study the strange and curious forms of ocean life in the extensive aquariums, or comfortably seated in a glass-bottomed boat, marvel at the extravagant splendor of the marine gardens, hundreds of feet below the surface, where sirens sing and mermaids are said to dwell. And, when he has gone the rounds, and longs again for more exciting sport, well—then he can go fishing.
| HOTEL DEL MONTE |
DEL MONTE
Monterey Bay is pre-eminently the fishing ground for the Pacific salmon. As these gamy fish seek their spawning grounds, after their four-years' sojourn in unknown waters, they enter Monterey Bay at its southern headland and follow around it at varying distances from the shore. During this season the Hotel Del Monte, with its splendid appointments and scenic beauty, is the favored Mecca of the salmon anglers. Here boats with experienced boatmen, and a good supply of tackle and bait are always to be had. The contour of the peninsula, with its high mountain crest, forming the southern shore of the bay, is such that the strong winds of the open ocean is cut off from the Del Monte side, allowing the waters of this side of the bay to retain that smoothness that makes either boating or fishing a delight. This, too, may have something to do with the feeding habits of the salmon, thereby accounting for the usually large catches made by the guests of the hotel.
While the Pacific Coast furnishes fine sport for the angler, both in its fresh and salt waters, with an infinite variety of gamy fishes, salmon fishing must be classed as one of the most satisfying. An angler likes to see his adversary and know with what he is contending. The salmon is a surface fighter, leaping high into the air when he finds himself impaled; and this sight of his beautiful sides, scintillating in the sunlight, quickens the pulsations of the heart of the angler and gives zest to the sport.
Each section of the coast has its fish and fishing peculiar to itself; but I care not from what section the expert angler may come, he will enjoy the salmon fishing of Monterey Bay. He will do more; for the Hotel Del Monte is one of the delightful show places of the Pacific Coast. Space will not admit of an enumeration of the many interesting sights here to be seen. There are glimpses of California life a hundred years ago by the side of picturesque golf links and tennis courts. A modern hostelry hid away in the center of a primeval park. A seventeen-mile drive through shady mountain dells and along weirdly beautiful ocean coves and rocky crags. The marine gardens as seen at the bottom of the ocean through glass-bottomed boats. These, and many other interesting relics and inspiring scenes are the side attractions for the salmon angler who visits Del Monte.