288 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



years ago, chietiy for the reason tliat the attempts to utilize the fine 

 resources of the region have not been sulBciently extensive and enough 

 capital has not been put into the business to demonstrate the success 

 of the industry. The great depression in all kinds of business during 

 the past few years had its effects here as elsewhere and prevented the 

 introduction of new enterprises or the enlargement of those already in 

 existence. There is little reason to doubt that in the near future 

 the fishing business of this county will be of great importance. A 

 number of small-sized sailboats using hand lines for cultus-cod and 

 halibut furnish the city with an abundance of food-fish, the surplus 

 catch being sent to the various ports on I^uget Sound. This, at pres- 

 ent, constitutes the extent of the fishing industry of the county, with 

 the exception of a small amount of seine fishing for herring and smelt. 

 The western end of this county, which borders on the Pacific Ocean, 

 is mountainous and unsettled, and maintains no fisheries. 



CLALLAM COUNTY. 



On the west this county abuts on the Pacific Ocean, while its northern 

 border extends the entire length of the Strait of Faca. It is therefore 

 conveniently located with reference to the fishing-grounds, and it main- 

 tains fisheries of great and growing importance. The chief fishing 

 centers are Neah Bay, Port Angeles, and Dungeness. 



The fishery resources of this county are varied and valuable. The 

 w^estern section is mountainous and sparsely settled, and the fishing is 

 confined to the taking of salmon by the Indians living along the banks 

 of the Quillaiute River, which flows through their reservation. Small 

 quantities of halibut and cod, with an occasional whale, are also taken 

 by these Indians, who depend chiefly on these products for their winter 

 supply of food. During the early spring months, for several weeks, the 

 fur seal is found resting and feeding off the shores of this county before 

 proceeding on its migration to Bering Sea. In the fall immense num- 

 bers of salmon come in from the ocean on their way up the strait and 

 sound. Herring, anchovies, and smelt are also found in large bodies. 

 The fishing banks and shoals in the immediate vicinity of the north- 

 western end of the county abound with fish, of which halibut, cultus-cod, 

 rockfish, and black-cod are most sought after, while flounders, perch, 

 dogfish, sharks, sculpins, and many other species are also abundant. 

 The value of the fishery resources of this section has long been known, 

 but ui) to the past few years the attempts made to utilize the resources 

 have been limited. 



In 1881) these fisheries were investigated for the United States Fish 

 Commission by the writer, who again visited the region in 1892. In the 

 interim the attention of the fishermen had been especially directed to 

 this section by the printed reports distributed by the Commission, and 

 as a result the fishermen largely extended their operations in that 

 vicinity, marketing their catch at the various cities on the strait and 

 sound, whence the surplus was shipped to the interior. 



