PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES 



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at certain stages of tide and in favorable weather, these nets gradually 



have been supplanted by other devices. In 1909 but five were used, 



and these were operated ofl" the shores of San Juan, Henry, Steuart, 



and Lummi Islands, and in the vicinity of Point Roberts. Practically 



none are used at present. 



TROLLING 



Each year the catching of salmon by trolling becomes of increasing 

 importance commercially. Although begun a number of years ago 

 the industry never attained prominence until the mild curers created 

 such a persistent and profitable demand for king, or chinook, salmon 

 that the fishermen, who had previously restricted their operations 

 mainly to the use of nets during the annual spawning runs, which 

 last but a small portion of the year, began to follow up the fish both 

 before and after the spawning run and soon discovered that they 

 were to be found in certain regions throughout nearly every month 

 in the year. . . 



Trolling has several advantages from the fisherman's point of view 

 over seine, gill net, and trap fishing. To engage in it, one does not 

 need any very expensive gear, a boat, hooks, and lines being all that 

 are required. Then, there are no licenses to pay and no seasons to 

 observe in many sections, as the fishing is done in many instances 

 beyond the jurisdiction of State waters. 



The fishermen comprise all nationahties. While the majority of 

 them are professionals, men of all walks of life are to be found en- 

 gaging in the business, some on account of their health, others because 

 of reverses in business or lack of work, while still others engage in it 

 from pure love of the outdoor life. 



The Monterey Bay (Calif.) troUers use 48 cotton line generally. A 

 few inches below the main lead an additional line is added, with a 

 small sinker on it. This gives two lines and hooks, and as the main 

 line has but the one lead, and that above the junction with the branch 

 line, it floats somewhat above the latter, which is weighted down 

 with a sinker. The main stem is about 20 fathoms in length, while 

 the branch lines are about 5 fathoms each. These lines cost about 

 $3.50 each. No spoon is used, but bait almost invariably. A few 

 fishermen use a spread of stout steel wire, 4 feet long, with 5 or 6 feet 

 of line on each end of the spread, two lines and hooks. 



On the upper Sacramento River (mainly at Redding and Keswick) 

 some fishing is done with hand fines. A small catch was made here 

 in 1908, but none were so caught in 1909. 



Even as early as 1895 trolling was carried on in the Siuslaw River, 

 Oreg., for chinook and silver salmon. 



About' 1912 the fishermen Hving along the lower Columbia River 

 discovered that salmon could be taken by trolling ofl" the bar. A 

 number of them went into the business regularly, while their numbers 

 were greatly swelled by the addition of many of the net fishermen 

 during the regular closed seasons on the river, these not applying to 

 trollers. Some idea of the growth of this fishery off the Columbia 

 River bar may be gained when it is stated that in September, 1915, 

 about 500 boats were engaged in it. It is reported that in 1919 over 

 1,000 boats were engaged in trolling here. 

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