XCVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



witli heavy grapuels and double buoys, and one end beinjifalso secured 

 to a boat. The buoys were carried under by the current as on the pre- 

 vious day, but 100 hooks from the end attached to the boat were 

 recovered, bringing- witli them three bhiek-cod, the largest weighing 28 

 pounds. On a second trial in the same locality, both ends of the trawl 

 line being secured to boats, the entire gear was recovered, the catch 

 this time amounting to 14 black cod, averaging 12^- pounds each in 

 Aveight. Two dre<Iging stations were made the same day in depths of 

 120 and 125 fathoms. The ship was then obliged to proceed to Vic- 

 toria, British Columbia, in order to replenish the stock of fishing gear, 

 but returned again to Neah Bay on the 31st. 



The following day four sets with the trawl lines and four hauls of 

 the beam trawl were made between Xeah Bay and the Vancouver shore 

 on the opposite side of the strait in depths of 136 to 152 fathoms. A 

 cultus-cod weighing 29 pounds was captured in the beam trawl, the 

 catch with the trawl lines comprising a few black cod, red rocktish, and 

 dogfish, but in some places the currents were so strong that nearly all 

 the hooks were strip])ed of their bait. Only a few dogfish were taken 

 on the trawl lines during September 2 between Neah Bay and Pillar 

 Point, but the beam trawl used in four positions, in 53 to 123 fathoms, 

 secured an abundance of edible flounders and a dozen young cod. On 

 the 3d three sets with trawl lines were made between Pillar Point and 

 Port Angeles in 64 to 95 fathoms, taking only a few dogfish, and one 

 dredging station was occupied in 92 fathoms. Flounders, herring, 

 perch, butter-fish, sculpins, a salmon trout, and other species were 

 secured by seining on the beach at tlie latter place. 



The following day, the last one of the trip, was utilized in running 

 a line of dredging and hand-line fishing stations diagonally across the 

 strait from off Port Angeles to the vicinity of Victoria, the depths 

 ranging from 40 to 46 fathoms.- Nothing at all was taken with the 

 hand lines, the currents being so strong that it was quite impossible to 

 keep the hooks on or near the bottom, except close to land. Lieut. 

 Commander Tanner concludes his account of this investigation as 

 follows : 



We have demonstrated the existence of several species of sea fishes in the open 

 waters of the Straits of Fuca, and have also shown the impracticability of taking 

 them in paying quantities by the usual methods. Should the black-cod ever take 

 the place it deserves in the market, means will doubtless be devised for its capture, 

 even in the straits. In the vicinity of Cape Flattery the currents reach the bottom 

 with strong scouring elfect, and the state of tides on the surface is no indicatiou of 

 their condition at the bottom. A heavy, confused swell Avill also be encountered, 

 even in the calmest weather. Of course, this soon becomes modified after passing 

 up the straits. 



