PACIFIC COAST FISHERIES. 289 



Neali Bay.— The most important of the fisliiu^ communities of tliis 

 county is Neali Bay, located on a reservation of tlie Makali Indians. 

 Its nearness to the fishing-grounds makes it important as a harbor of 

 refuge for fishermen of this entire region. In 1892 the Indians of Neah 

 Bay numbered 442. They are industrious, self-supporting, qaiet, and 

 peaceable. The only work performed by them is connected with the 

 fisheries, with the exception that during the hop-picking season men, 

 women, and children are engaged in the hopyards of the white settlers 

 of distant counties on or near Puget Sound. As reported in 1889, these 

 Indians continue to procure the larger part of their food supply from 

 the fishing-grounds of the Strait of Fuca and the adjacent ocean, No 

 records are kept of their catch, and the amounts credited in the tables 

 are based on careful estimates made at the agency. 



Halibut are the favorite food-fish of the Indians. It is estimated 

 at the agency that 280,000 pounds of this fish are used annually as food, 

 in addition to the quantities sold. During 1892 a fishing firm located 

 at Tacoma had a steamer employed in visiting the grounds near Cape 

 Flatter}' and buying the catch from the Indians and the small sailing 

 vessels of white men. It is the practice of the Indians to go into camp 

 near Cape Flattery, where the fish are dressed and disposed of, those 

 not sold fresh being taken home and smoked for future use. The home 

 market thus created induced a largely increased catch. 



The average daily catch of a halibut canoe is about 40 fish, having 

 an average wei'ght of 30 j)ounds, many o^the fish taken being much 

 heavier. The fishing season is from the middle of May to the middle 

 of August, after which time three-fourths of the Indians leave for the 

 hop vineyards. The halibut continue to be taken by the Indians with 

 large, cumbersome wooden hooks made by them, which they prefer to 

 the regular trade hooks used by white men. Halibut have been found 

 in their usual abundance on the several fishing-grounds inside and 

 outside the Strait of Fuca, although the larger catch is taken in the 

 ocean. In rough and stormy weather fishing can be successfully carried 

 on inside the mouth of the strait. 



In 1892 new grounds were resorted to with excellent results. These 

 were located from 25 to 40 miles southwest from Cape Flattery, and 

 fishing was done in a depth of 75 fathoms. The Indians of this county 

 pay but little attention to salmon. Their catch is only made by troll- 

 ing a bone or spoon hook in the American waters of the Strait of 

 Fuca. The principal portion of the salmon run, which occurs in the fall, 

 is said to be on the British side of the strait, on reaching the inner 

 extremity of which the fish turn into their customary routes, one body 

 going into Puget Sound and one going northward into the Strait of 

 Georgia destined for the Fraser River. 



The pursuit of the fur seal is an important branch of the fishei;ies 



carried on by the Indians of Neah Bay. Small sailing vessels making 



their headquarters at that point are employed, several of which are 



owned by the Indians. In addition to the five sailing vessels used, in 



F. R. 93 19 



