804 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Auswer, It is uot known by what route they come in to the shore, 

 though it is conjectured that they come chiefly from the north. After 

 entering the river the spring runs gradually make their way up toward 

 the upper tributaries. The summer runs proceed more rapidly, a large 

 proportion of both reaching the very headwaters of the river. The fall 

 run of salmon do not ascend so high, but frequently spawn on the saiad- 

 beds of the main river within 50 miles of the sea. The salmon do not 

 follow a stated track every year in ascending the river, but one year 

 they take one course and another year a different one. Neither do they 

 adhere to tbe same course during any specified year, but sometimes 

 ascend tbe current and sometimes keep near the banks. A very strong 

 current, however, they seem in the lower river to uniformly avoid. 



Question. By what route do they leave tbe coast? 



Answer. Not known. 



Question. Where do they spend the winter season I 



Answer. In the ocean. 



Question. Wlien are the fish first seen or known to come near the 

 shore, and Avhen does the main body arrive! Are the first the largest? 

 Are there more schools or runs than one coiuing in, and at what inter- 

 vals ? 



Answer. The salmon make their first appearance in February, though 

 in very small numbers. The main body arrives in May, June, and 

 especially in July, when the run is enormous. The May salmon are 

 largest. Perhaps the most correct view to take of the running of the 

 salmon is to consider all the salmon as included in one run, beginning 

 in February, increasing in May and June, and culminating in July 

 though they might also be legitimately divided into three runs: the 

 first or meager run coming in February, March, and April, the second 

 or full run in May and June, and the third or maximum run in July. 

 After July they diminish very rapidly, and soon almost entirely disap- 

 pear from the river. 



Question. When do the fish leave shore, and is this done by degrees 

 or in a body ? 



Answer. Those that do not die in the upper waters leave shore after 

 descending the river, probably by degrees. 



Question. Is the appearance of the fish on the coast regular and cer- 

 tain, or do they ever fail for one or more seasons at a time and then 

 return in greater or less abundance ? If so, to what cause is this 

 assigned? 



Answer. The appearance of the fish on the coast and in the river is 

 very regular and certain. They never fail. This is the testimony of 

 the Hudson's Bay Company for over a hundred years. 



Question. How do the runs ditfer from each other in number and size? 



Answer. See answer to question. When are the fish first seeni &c. 



Question. Which sex comes in first; and how far advanced is the 

 spawn in the female on first arriving ? 



