a 
PACIFIC COAST FISHERIES. 243 
_Seines are used at Sand Island, near the mouth of the river, and on 
the sand bars to a distance of 15 to 30 miles above the ocean. These 
bars as a rule are dry at low tide, at which time the seines are hauled. 
Up to a comparatively recent time the bars in the Columbia River were 
‘owned by the State and their fishing privileges were free. As they 
became valuable for seine fishing, and had no other use, private parties 
had them surveyed and bought them from the State at a low price. A 
title deed having been secured, the value of these bars at once increased 
from a few dollars to many thousands. The desirable seining-grounds 
are limited and have fallen into the hands of a few persons, which fact 
accounts for the relatively small number of seines used, and this form 
of apparatus is the only one which does not show an increase in recent 
years. 
Fish-wheels are the most interesting form of apparatus used in the 
Columbia River. Their origin is comparatively recent, and the con- 
struction and method of operation are entirely different from any other 
appliances used for the capture of fish. Owing to their supposed very 
destructive powers they have been the subject of much antagonism on 
the part of the general public and the fishermen using other forms of 
apparatus. Since the first introduction of fish-wheels their number and 
use have steadily grown, and in 1892 more were employed than at any 
previous time. As compared with the number of gill nets and pound 
nets used the number of wheels is very small and has probably nearly 
reached its limit, as their use is confined to a few desirable places bor- 
dering the rapids of the Columbia River at the Cascades and The Dalies, 
and the favorable sites have passed into the hands of a few persons. 
Pound nets are extensively employed in the lower Columbia, the 
largest number being set in Baker Bay near the mouth of the river. 
The nets are usually owned by the canners. Between 1889 and 1892 
the increase in the number of these nets on the Colunabia was 133 per 
cent. The pound net has almost completely superseded the old wooden 
trap that dates back to the early days of the salmon business, and has 
now almost passed out of existence. 
The other minor forins of apparatus employed on the river, namely, 
dip nets, squaw nets, etc., which are mostly used by Indians, present 
no marked changes in numbers or in methods of use. The Indians 
continue to take large quantities of fish in this way for their own use 
and for sale. 
Complete tables are elsewhere given showing the number and value 
of each different kind. of apparatus employed in each county on this 
Tiver and also showing the quantity and value of each kind of fish 
taken therein. Some general tables follow showing for the Columbia 
basin as a whole thé quantities of apparatus used and, the catch in 
each. The following table has been prepared to show the increase in 
the number of pound nets, haul seines, fish-wheels, and gill nets owned 
or used on the Washington and hoon sides of the river respectively 
ap 1889 to 1892, inclusive. 
