ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1920. 33 
where supplies were purchased and the services engaged of two natives to 
assist Mr. Savage. However, we were forced to discharge these men after three 
days’ service. One native was later secured who qualified and remained to the 
completion of the work at that point. 
Men and equipment were transferred from Dillingham on the Alaska-Port- 
land Packers’ Association power boat Hkuk to Lake Aleknagik, where camp 
was established June 10 at the lake outlet. A survey was made of this lake 
to determine its possibilities for trout operations. It was learned that the only 
suitable places lay at the lake outlet and the mouth of the river between 
Aleknagik and Nerka lakes. 
Set and drift gill nets, in connection with seine and troll lines, were used 
and the early work centered at the lake outlet, where a considerable number 
of Dolly Vardens were taken, weighing from two to Seven pounds each. The 
stomachs of these fish were all well filled with migrating salmon, Nos. 24 and 3 
in size, 25 or more young salmon being counted in a stomach. The habits of 
the trout were observed closely. It was noticed that they met the salmon 
schools at the inlet and outlet of the lake, where the bar drops off into deep 
water, a certain number of trout accompanying and feeding on the salmon. 
In connection with the Dolly Vardens working on the young salmon in deep 
water, the terns are almost equally severe at the surface. The salmon migrate 
in enormous schools, making them easy prey for trout, and the work of the 
latter forces the young salmon to the surface, where the terns take their toll. 
Large flocks of from 500 to 1,000 were noticed actively feeding whenever a 
school passed certain points. After several days’ operations at the lake outlet 
the catch of trout became almost negligible, and it was noticed that while the 
terns were present in large numbers and would become excited and active on 
sighting a school of young salmon, their success in catching was materially 
lessened, the fish not coming close enough to the surface. No trout other than 
Dolly Vardens were taken in this section, and very few under 2 pounds were 
captured. All averaged 8 and 4 pounds, and specimens weighing 7 pounds were 
common. 
Through the courtesy of Capt. Williams, of the Alaska Packers Association, 
we were supplied with a tally scow, and, with the assistance of Mr. Daly, of 
the Alaska-Portland Packers’ Association, this scow was towed into the lake. 
We were comfortably housed and easily moved. When the trout became scarce 
at the lake outlet the camp was moved to the upper end of the lake, where the 
scow was placed in the mouth of the river connecting with Nerka Lake. At 
this point good results were secured, and it was here that the bulk of the trout 
was taken. It is estimated that from 35,000 to 40,000 pounds of trout were 
destroyed. Many were diseased, wormy, and emaciated, but always ready to 
feed. 
The migrating season of salmon in this district extends over a period of 
about three months, and, figuring an average of 15 to 20 migrating salmon 
for each trout per day—which represents but one feed for the average trout 
taken—the number of trout destroyed would mean a saving of more yearling 
salmon than could be handled in any of our hatcheries during a season, not to 
mention the expense of feeding, etc., and this without taking into consideration 
the serious depredations of the terns. 
Our point of vantage in the scow enabled us to keep a close tally on the 
adult salmon ascending to the spawning grounds, together with the proportion 
of loss from fungus growth, due to gill-net injuries. No large run of salmon 
was ever observed ascending, but a steady line was noticed from July 5 to July 
20, gradually tapering off to small numbers at the date of our departure, July 
28. Some were noted ascending prior to July 5, but in negligible numbers. 
AS consistent a check as possible was kept on the ascending fish. The salmon 
came along the shore of the lake, entered the river, and passed into the strong 
river current in the rear of our scow, where the current and scow created 
smooth water. Dolly Varden trout as large as the salmon were noticed pass- 
ing upstream with the latter in a ratio of about 2 to 4 per cent. As no small 
trout were taken throughout the season it is believed that all spawn in the 
upper lakes. Those taken by us were principally sea-run fish. It was impos- 
sible to use gill nets without injury to the salmon, and the trout operating in 
deep water made it necessary to devise some other means of capture. Mr. 
Savage devised a mold in the shape of a fish, and this was poured full of lead 
over the stem of a large, long-shank fishhook, which was used as a troll and 
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