288 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
years ago, chiefly for the reason that the attempts to utilize the fine 
resources of the region have not been sufficiently extensive and enough 
capital has not been put into the business to demonstrate the success 
of the industry. The great depression in all kinds of business during 
the past few years had its effects here as elsewhere and prevented the 
introduction of new enterprises or the enlargement of those already in 
existence. There is little reason to doubt that in the near future 
the fishing business of this county will be of great importance. A | 
number of small-sized sailboats using hand lines for cultus-cod and 
alibut furnish the city with an abundance of food-fish, the surplus 
catch being sent to the various ports on Puget Sound. This, at pres- 
ent, constitutes the extent of the fishing industry of the county, with | 
the exception of a small amount of seine fishing for herring and smelt. 
The western end of this county, which borders on the Pacific Ocean, 
is mountainous and unsettled, and maintains no fisheries. 
CLALLAM COUNTY. 
On the west this county abuts on the Pacific Ocean, while its northern 
border extends the entire length of the Strait of Fuca. It is therefore 
conveniently located with reference to the fishing-grounds, and it main-— 
tains fisheries of great and growing importance. - The chief fishing 
centers are Neah Bay, Port Angeles, and Dungeness. 
The fishery resources of this county are varied and valuable. The 
western section is mountainous and sparsely settled, and the fishing is 
confined to the taking of salmon by the Indians living along the banks 
of the Quillainte River, which flows through their reservation. Small 
quantities of halibut and cod, with an occasional whale, are also taken 
by these Indians, who depend chiefly on these products for their winter 
supply of food. During the early spring months, for several weeks, the 
fur sealis found resting and feeding off the shores of this county before 
proceeding on its migration to Bering Sea. In the fall immense num- 
bers of salmon come in from the ocean on their way up the strait and 
sound. Herring, anchovies, and smelt are also found in large bodies. 
The fishing banks and shoals in the immediate vicinity of the north- 
western end of the county abound with fish, of which halibut, cultus-cod, 
rockfish, and black-cod are most sought after, while flounders, perch, 
dogfish, sharks, sculpins, and many other species are also abundant. 
The value of the fishery resources of this section has long been known, 
but up to the past few years the attempts made to utilize the resources 
have been limited. 
In 1889 these fisheries were investigated for the United States Fish 
Commission by the writer, who again visited the region in 1892. In the 
interim the attention of the fishermen had been especially directed to 
this section by the printed reports distributed by the Commission, and 
as a result the fishermen largely extended their operations in that 
vicinity, marketing their catch at the various cities on the strait and 
sound, whence the surplus was shipped to the interior. 
