Often great rivalry exists not only in securing the boatmen who have had extra good luck or displayed extraordinary skill, but also between the guests as to the extent of their various "catches." When a boatman has taken his "fare" into regions that have proven successful, and does this with frequency, it is natural that those who wish to run up a large score should try hard to secure him.

This adds to the fun--especially to the onlookers.
The boat is all ready; the angler takes his (or her) seat in the cushioned stern, feet resting upon a double carpet--this is fishing _de luxe_.

The oarsman pushes off and quietly rows away from the pier out into deep water, which, at Tahoe varies from 75 feet to the unknown depths of 1500 feet or more.

The color of the water suggests even to the tyro the depth, and as soon as the "Tahoe blue" is reached the boatman takes his large hand-reel, unfastens the hook, baits it with minnow and worm and then hands it to the angler, with instructions to allow it to unreel when thrown out on the port side at the stern.
At the same time he prepares a second hook from a second reel which he throws out at the starboard side.

At the end of each copper line a few yards of fish-cord are attached in which a loop is adjusted for the fingers.