ALASKA FISHERY AND FUK-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1920. 33 



where supplies were purchaseil and the services engaged of two natives to 

 assist Mr. Savage. However, we were forced to discharge tliese men after three 

 days' service. One native was later secured who qualified and remained to the 

 completion of the work at that point. 



Men and equipment were transferred from Dillingham on the Alaska-Port- 

 land Packers' Association power boat Ekuk to Lake Aleknagik. where camp 

 was established June 10 at the lake outlet. A survey was made of this lake 

 to determine its possibilities for trout operations. It was leanietl that the only 

 suitable places lay at the lake outlet and the moutli of the river between 

 Aleknagik and Nerka lakes. 



Set and drift gill nets, in connection with seine and troll lines, were iised 

 and the early work centered at the lake outlet, where a considerable number 

 of Dolly Vardens were taken, weighing from two to seven pounds each. The 

 stomachs of tliese fish were all well tilled witli migrating salmon, Xos. 2i and 3 

 in size, 25 or more young salmon being counted in a stomach. The habits of 

 the trout were observed closely. It was noticed that they met the salmon 

 schools at the inlet and outlet of the lake, where the bar drops off into deep 

 water, a certain number of trout accompanying and feeding on tlie salmon. 



In connection with tlie Dolly Vardens working on the young salmon in deep 

 water, the terns are almost equally severe at the surface. The salmon migrate 

 in enormous schools, making them easy prey for trout, and the work of the 

 latter forces tlie young salmon to the surface, where the terns take their toll. • 

 Large flocks of from olX) to l.(MK) were noticed actively feeding whenever a 

 school passed certain points. After several days' operations at the lake cmtlet 

 the catcii of trout l)ecanie almost negligible, and it was noticed that while the 

 terns were present in large numbers and would become excited and active on 

 sighting a school of j-oung salmon, their success in catching was materially 

 lessened, the fish not coming close enough to the surface. No trout other than 

 Dolly Vardens Vere taken in this section, and very few under 2 pounds were 

 captured. All averaged 3 and 4 pounds, and .specimens weighing 7 pounds were 

 common. 



Through the courte.sy of Capt. Williams, of the Alaska Packers As.sociation, 

 we were supplied with a tally scow, and, with the assistance of Mr. Daly, of 

 the Alaska-Portland Packers' Association, tliis scow was towed into tlie lake. 

 We were comfortably hoii.sed and easily moved. When the tr<»ut IxH-ame scarce 

 at the lake outlet the camp was moved to tlie upper end of the lake, where the 

 scow was place<l in the mouth of the river <onne<'ting with Nerka Lake. At 

 this point good results were secured, and it was here that the bulk of the trout 

 was taken. It is estimated that from 3r».(MK) to 40,(KX) pounds of trout were 

 destroyed. Many were diseased, wormy, and emaciated, but always ready to 

 feed. 



Tlie migrating season of salmon in tliis <listrict exteiuis over a period of 

 about three month.s, and, figuring an average of 15 to 20 migrating salmon 

 for each trout jicr day — wliich rojirescnts but one f«><>(l for tbe average trout 

 taken — the number of trout destroyed would mean a saving of more yearling 

 .salmon tlian could be handleil in any of our hatcheries during a season, not to 

 mention the expense of feeding, etc., and this without taking into consideration 

 tbe serious deriredations of the terns. 



Our point of vantage in tlie scow enabled us to keep a close tally on the 

 adult salmon ascending to the sitawnimr grounds, together with the i)roi)ortion 

 of loss from fungus growtli. due to gill-nef injuries. No large run of salmon 

 was ever observed ascencling, but a st»'ady line was noticed from July 5 to July 

 20, gradually tapering olT to small numbers at the date of our departure. July 

 28. Some were noted ascending prior to July 5, but in negligible numbers. 

 As consistent a check as possible was kept on the a.scending fish. The .salmon 

 C!ime along the shore of the lake, entered the river, and passed into the strong 

 river current in the rear of our scow, where the current and scow created 

 finiooth water. Dolly Varden trout as large as the salmon were noticed jiass- 

 ing upstream with the latter in a ratio of about 2 to 4 per cent. As no small 

 trout were taken tbroughout tbe season if is believe<l that all spawn in the 

 iippir lakes. Those taken by us were prinfii»ally sea-run fisli. It was impos- 

 sible to use gill nets without injury to tbe salmon, aiid th<' trout oiierating in 

 deep water made it necessary t(» devi.so some other means of caiitiiic. Mr, 

 Savage devis*"*! a mold in tlie shape of a tisli, and this was jtourcd lull of lead 

 over the stem of a large, long-shank fislihook, which was u.sed as a troll and 



54777°— 21 3 



