234 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



one of his companions in hiding is quickly in the boat and going for 

 the game. While some of the men are thus engaged, others may be 

 miles away sailing along the coast with a sharp lookout for otters. 



The number of otters killed is small, but they are of large size and 

 have very line fur, the pelts bringing from $150 to $L'00 each, and in 

 some cases much more. During 1891, 20 otters were secured, and in 

 one week in September, 1892, when the writer visited one of these 

 unicjue tree-to}) stations, 8 otters were killed, the total catch for the 

 year being 1.'), value<l at $133 each. In 1893 the number taken was 17, 

 having an average value of $157. 



coos COUNTY. 



When contrasted with the last investigation, the fisheries of this 

 county present few new features. Coquille Eiver and Coos Eiver and 

 Bay are the fishing-grounds. The only catch of the rivers is salmon. 

 A little more attention is given to the bay fisheries near Baudon and 

 Empire City, where some halibut, perch, and cultus-cod are taken; 

 these fish, with flounders and other varieties of salt-water fish, are 

 found abundantly, but the demand is limited to local use and only 

 small quantities are taken. 



Coquille River. — Owing to a number of causes the fisheries of the 

 Coquille have not been up to the average during the past few years. 

 Only one cannery was packing during 1889, 1891, and 1892, and none 

 during 1890. The run of fish was good in 1889, and the single cannery 

 in operation packed 9,115 cases, of which one-sixth were chiuook and 

 five sixths silver salmon; 50 barrels were also salted. The fishermen 

 received 50 cents each for chinook and 30 cents each for silver salmon. 

 Prices of canned salmon were low during the fall and winter, and gave 

 little encouragement to canners; in consecjuence, during 1890, for the 

 first season in a number of years, no salmon were canned on the river. 

 A light catch was made and 200 barrels were salted. In 1891 the one 

 cannery once more packed, but the run was light and only 2,084 cases 

 were canned and 150 barrels salted, the fishermen receiving 25 cents 

 each for chinook and 15 cents for silver salmon. In 1892 salmon were 

 very abundant, more so than for a number of years. The run of the 

 lirevious year having been so light, a large run was not expected and 

 preparations had only been made for a small pack. The result of the 

 year's work was 4,500 cases. On account of a scarcity of cans the sur- 

 plus catch was salted, and G50 barrels were thus prepared. The fisher- 

 men received 35 cents each for chinook and 20 cents for silver salmon, 

 the catch consisting of one-eighth chinook and seven-eighths silver 

 salmon. A few fishermen of Bandon, near the mouth of the river, fished 

 outside with hook and line, their catch in 1892 being 10,250 pounds of 

 halibut, 9,112 pounds of cultus-cod, and 36,010 pounds of rockfish. 



Coos River and Bay. — The one salmon cannery at Empire City being 

 idle in 1890, 1891, and 1892, the fisheries were not given so much 

 attention as in past years. The salmon catch had to be salted, and 



