492 U. S. BUREATJ OF FISHERIES 



An inexperienced boatman is apt to find fishino; 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 

 feet of the mouth of this ladder. Up to 1915 there w^as a second 

 deadline, 600 feet from the falls, beyond which no commercial fisher- 

 man could operate nets, but the Oregon Legislature in that year 

 closed tlie Willamette to all net fishermen from the Clackamas rapids 

 to the falls. 



The salmon in the spring run on the Willamette will average about 

 25 pounds each, but examples weighing 50 pounds and over are not 

 uncommon. 



In 1914 the Salmon Club of Oregon w\as formed of anglers who 

 desired to encourage the use of light tackle in the taking of large game 

 fish, in place of the extremely heavy tackle heretofore used. The 

 following rules were adopted: 



The rods used may be made of any material except solid bamboo cane. They 

 must not 1)0 less than 5 feet in length and weigh not over 6 ounces'. ' 



The line must not be heavier than the standard nine-thread linen line. 



Any style of reel or spoon may be used and the wire leader must not exceed 3 

 feet in length. 



The angler must reel in his fish, bring it to gaff unaided, and must do the 

 gaffing himself. If a rod is broken at any time during the struggle witli the fish 

 it will disqualify the catch. 



As a reward of merit the club awards bronze buttons to all anglers 

 taldng, on light tackle, salmon w^eighing 20 pounds or over; for a fish 

 weighing over 30 pounds a silver button is given, and for any salmon 

 over 40 pounds the lucky angler receives a gold button. Numerous 

 additional prizes are also given by public-spirited citizens. 



The season for light taclde on the' Willamette River and all other 

 inland streams of Oregon has been fixed by the club from January 1 

 to July 1. 



In 1915 the first angler to win a gold button on the Willamette 

 River did so on April 18, when he took a 42}i5-pound salmon. . On 

 the same day this same angler also won a silver button for a 32)^- 

 pound fish and a bronze button for a 26-pound fish. 



The Seattle Rod and Gun Club, which has a handsome clubhouse 

 on Seattle Harbor, decided to encourage the use of light tackle also, 

 and for this purpose adopted the following regulations as to tackle, 

 how the king or silver salmon may be caught, and offering buttons 

 for fish above a certain size : 



CHINOOK, SPRING OR KING SALMON AND SILVER OR COHO 'SALMON 



Tackle. — The tackle recommended is the following: Rod of wood, with butt 

 and tip, and not to be shorter than 6 feet overall; tip to be not less than 5 feet, 

 and to weigh not more than 6 ounces. 



A suitable line of linen (9-strand) with breaking strain of rtot over 25 pounds. 



Leader may be of wire or svich material as the angler desires, but shall not 

 exceed 6 feet in length. 



Only one hook allowed. 



A loose sinker allowed. 



Any style of reel or spoon may be used. 



Rules. — The angler must reel in his fish, bring it to gaff unaided; and must do 

 the gaffing himself, or if he u.ses a landing net the latter and the gaff hook should 

 not have a handle longer than 2]/2 feet. No fish to be lancfed on the shore. If 

 rod is broken at any time during the struggle with the fish it will disqualify the 

 catch. 



