PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES. 93 
The fishing ground is spread over a mile’s length of the river, from 
Clackamas rapids to the deadline at the falls. It is not an uncommon 
sight to see 500 boats with from one to six fishermen and fisher- 
women dotting the river on favorable days during the season. 
Two methods of fishing are followed. The most popular is to 
anchor at the head of the Clackamas rapids or in swift water near 
the falls and allow the rush of water to spin the trolling hook. In 
the longer lengths of quieter water the sportsmen troll in slow motor 
boats or rowboats. 
An Ttnexperienced boatman is apt to find fishing 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 was 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 the 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 was 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 be 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. Ifa rod is broken at any time during the struggle with the fish it will dis- 
qualify the catch. 
As a reward of merit the club awards bronze buttons to all anglers 
taking, on light tackle, salmon weighing 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 tackle 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 Falioe on the Willamette 
River did so on April 18, when he took a 424-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. 
