ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1922. 27 



ous before the 12th. Camp was then moved to Kidawik Creek, where good 

 catclies of trout occurred up to July 2, when salmon made their appearance 

 in sufficient numbers to compel removal of set nets, and from that time on 

 baited traps and set and hand lines were used. 



During the earliest fishing the trout stomachs examined were empty, but 

 from late June to the middle of July practically all contained young salmon. 

 The stomach of one large lake trout contained 40 fingerling migrating salmon. 

 The greater portion of the catch was lake trout {Cristivomer namaycush), a.\l 

 extremely large, averaging from 12 to 15 pounds, and one specimen weighing 

 22 pounds was captured at the mouth of Kidawik Creek. Several specimens 

 weighing IS pounds were reported. 



A trip was attempted up the Savonoski River to the lakes at its head in an 

 endeavor to operate at that point before the advance of the salmon, but water 

 was too low, making it impossible to navigate the river. An investigation was 

 made July 5 in the upper lakes, going there overland from the north shore of 

 Naknek Lake and arriving just below the rapids connecting the two Savonoski 

 lakes. No boats were available on the lakes, so that only limited observations 

 could be made. No salmon or trout were seen in the upper reaches of either 

 lake. However, it was early for salmon in these waters. The water was clear 

 and the shores appeared excellent for spawning. A folding boat that could be 

 carried on the back overland would be useful here, as at several other points 

 that are difficult of access for observations and trout work also. Along the 

 north sliore of Naknek Lake a few salmon were observed, but owing to the 

 deposits of ashes their spawning grounds are limited. It was learned without 

 doubt that the islands in this locality are the greatest breeding grounds for 

 terns in the district, and good work was accomplished on this trip in the 

 destruction of their eggs. Several trips were made during the season to all 

 the breeding islands for the purpose of destroying tern eggs. 



The crew returned to Kidawik Creek, as the best work could be accomplished 

 there. Many salmon made their appearance in the creek July 11 and the number 

 increased daily, a large portion passing over the falls and into Brooks Lake, 

 of which Kidawik Creek is a tributary. Cohos made their first appearance in 

 the creek July 13, and the main run, which is not large at this point, was 

 entering toward the end of July. 



The season's take in this district was 3,436 trout, weighing 41,232 pounds, an 

 average of 12 pounds each. Eighty per cent were lake trout, the remainder 

 being Dolly Vardens, steelhead trout, and pike, in nearly equal proportions. 

 More Dolly Vardens were captured this year than formerly, but the percentage 

 was small. Several fish ducks were taken in the nets each night. 



All equipment was overhauled and the boats were painted and stored at the 

 cannery of the Alaska-Portland Packers' Association at Naknek. The crew re- 

 turned to the States on the Chillicothe. 



Egegik. — The Egegik party, consisting of H. B. Looff, foreman, and two 

 assistants, left Semiahmoo, Wash., April 16, on the Star of Lapland, arrived at 

 Bristol Bay May 16, and transferred as soon as possible to Egegik, establishing 

 base headquarters at the Alaska Packers Association cannery. Supplies being 

 delayed, a sufficient quantity was borrowed from the Libby, McNeill «& Libby 

 cannery, which, added to stores from the previous year, enabled the crew to 

 make an early start upriver. Various difficulties and accidents, such as 

 Evinrude trouble, storms, in which one of the loaded dories capsized, and 

 sickness of one of the men, caused some delay. Camp was eventually estab- 

 lished at the outlet of the lake on June 1. Fishing with seines and set nets at 

 this point produced fair returns. Great schools of young salmon were noted 

 migrating on June 6, and large numbers of terns were in evidence working on 

 the young salmon and following the schools downstream. 



All islands in the vicinity were visited and considerable numbers of tern 

 eggs destroyed. As soon as it became apparent that possibilities at this point 

 were limited camp was moved to the upper end of the lake at Little Becharoff 

 on June 12, where good results were obtained throughout the remainder of the 

 season. 



The effects of the fishing of last season were noticeable in the reduced num- 

 bers of trout seen at Kanatak Creek and surrounding streams, which are the 

 principal salmon streams in this district and which produced the greater por- 

 tion of our trout catch last year. Winter men and natives at the village here 

 report that Kanatak Creek was practically clear of trout after our departure 

 l&st fall. 



