90 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



SPEAR AND GAFF. 



Spears of varying shapes and styles have heen in use by the Indians 

 from time immemorial and are still employed on many rivers in 

 which salmon run. With the exception of the Chilkoot and Chil- 

 kat Rivers of Alaska, practically all of the catch secured in this 

 manner is consumed by the fishermen and their families. In the 

 Chilkoot River the Indians have built numerous racks in the stream 

 and on the banks, upon which they stand and hook the fish out with 

 a gaff attached to a pole. The catch is sold to the cannery located on 



Chilkoot Inlet. 



SPORT FISHING FOR SALMON. 



The number of sportsmen who improve the opportunity presented 

 by the appearance of feeding springs and cohos is increasing yearly, 

 and in time this promises to far excel the sport salmon fishing of the 

 Atlantic coast. 



On Puget Sound and lower British Columbia waters the anglers 

 generally use ordinary trout fishing rods and tackle, with preferably 

 a short trolling tip on the rod when out for coho. Small spinners of 

 silver or copper, of about an inch in length, or else the small double 

 Tacoma spoons, are very good. A strong gut leader or trace of fine 

 piano wire is frequently used, as the fish's teeth would cut through an 

 ordinary line. Where iron wire is used the salt water rusts it rapidly, 

 and unless the precaution is taken to dry off the wire and oil it after 

 using it can not be used for more than a couple of days. Sinkers 

 of an ounce or two in weight are generally employed with fine line. 



Many of the small spoons on the market have very cheap hooks, 

 and these are apt to straighten out or break with the strain of a large 

 jBsh. Hooks of the best steel will, however, stand up to this strain. 



One of the favorite spots for anglers is at the falls on the Willamette 

 River at Oregon City, Oreg. Another is on the Clackamas, a tribu- 

 tary which debouches into the Willamette near here. When the 

 spring run of salmon appears in April, hundreds of anglers, many of 

 tnem from far distant points, appear to participate in the sport 

 during this month and in May. Many noted sportsmen have fished 

 for salmon at these spots. Among them was Rudyard Kipling," and 

 his experiences were woven into a classic short story. 



The fishing ground is spread over a mile's length of the river, from 

 Clackamas rapids to the deadline at the falls. It is not an uncommon 

 sight to see 500 boats, each containing from one to six fishermen 

 and fisherwomen, dotting the river on favorable days during the 

 season. 



Two methods of fishing are followed. The most popular is to 

 anchor at the head of the Clackamas rapids or in swift water near 

 the falls and allow the rush of water to spin the trolling hook. In 

 the longer lengths of quieter water the sportsmen troll in slovv motor 

 boats or rowboats. 



An inexperienced boatman is apt to find fishing in the rapids or 

 near the falls somewhat dangerous, as the swift water may overturn 

 his craft and carry him to his death before help can reach him. 



There is a fishway in the dam, so that the fish can pass up this and 

 into the river above the dam. No fishing is allowed closer than 100 



o It was in 1889 that Kipling fished here, and his story was reprinted in The Amarican Angler, Vol. II, 

 No. 2, December, 1917, pp. 415-420. 



