16 SALMON FISHERIES OF PACIFIC COAST. 



The best fishing grounds are from the mouth of the river to about 

 5 miles inland. 



Siuslaw River. — This river has its source in the mountains of 

 Lane County, and its course lies first in a northwesterly direction 

 and to the westward until the Pacific is reached. Through part 

 of its course it is the dividing line between Lane and Douglas 

 Counties. 



As early as 1878 there were two canneries operated on this river, 

 but from 1879 till 1888 there are no data available showing the ex- 

 tent of the fisheries. At present there are two canneries in operation. 



The salmon fishing grounds extend from near the mouth of the 

 river to about 20 miles upstream. 



Umpqua River. — With the exception of the Columbia this is the 

 largest and longest river in Oregon. It is formed by north and 

 south forks, which unite about 9 miles northwest of Roseburg, and 

 the river then flows northwestwardly and enters the Pacific. Prac- 

 tically all of this river is within the boundaries of Douglas County, 

 one of the largest counties in the State. A railroad is now being 

 built along this river and when this is completed there will doubtless 

 be a large development of the fisheries of this region owing to the 

 opportunities which will then be offered for shipping fresh fish. 



As early as 1878 there were two canneries located on the Umpqua. 

 The number has never been larger than this, and usually there has 

 been but one operating. In 1910 there was but one, at Gardiner. 



Coos Bay and River. — Coos Bay is a navigable semicircular inlet 

 of the ocean with numerous arms or branches. There is much 

 marshy ground in the bay, and a number of sloughs, or small creeks, 

 which empty into the bay from both sides. Coos River proper is an 

 unimportant stream, but a few miles in length. North Bend, Marsh- 

 field, and Empire are the principal towns on the bay. A branch 

 railroad is being built to these points from the main line of the South- 

 ern Pacific Railway, and as soon as this is completed the fishing in- 

 dustry will receive a great impetus. Heretofore this region has de- 

 pended upon steamers and sailing vessels plying to Portland and 

 San Francisco for its communication with the outside world, and 

 this slow and infrequent means of shipment has very seriously 

 handicapped the fisheries. 



Salmon canning began here in 1887, when two canneries opened for 

 business. The business has fluctuated considerably since, most of the 

 time but one cannery being operated, and such being the case in 1910^ 



Fishing is carried on mainly in the bay. A few set nets are oper- 

 ated in the river. 



Coquille River. — This river is formed by three branches, called the 

 North, Middle, and South Forks, which rise in the Umpqua Moun- 



