16 HALIBUT FISHING GKOUNDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



operating the usual amount of gear carried by fishermen would, in a 

 few days, naturally attract large halibut, as the bait which falls off 

 and is " shacked "" from the hooks generally has that effect if any 

 large fish are near. The position occupied was near where a sealing 

 vessel had reported taking a considerable number of halibut on hand 

 lines and by " jigging." About 3 miles from the ship numerous 

 whales and birds were observed. 



During the night the Albatross steamed through Shelikof Strait. 

 The following morning, the weather being thick and stormy, it was 

 decided to seek shelter in Halibut Bay, southwest end of Kodiak 

 Island. At this anchorage cod were quite plentiful, 58 being caught 

 on hand lines in a comparatively short time. 



Chignik Bay. — ^AVe arrived at Chignik Bay on the morning of 

 June 8. The season was backward, the weather cold, the mountains 

 and surrounding country covered with snow, in many places to the 

 water's edge. The salmon cannery men were making preparations 

 for the season's catch, driving piles for the traps, hanging w^eb, 

 making cans, unloading various material from the ships, and putting 

 the cannery machinery in order. 



The ship remained at Chignik Bay until June 26 for the purpose 

 of making a survey of Chignik Lakes. On arriving at Chignik it 

 had been contemplated to land the surveying party, and have the 

 vessel engage in the halibut investigation on Albatross Bank or some 

 other ground adjacent. No time, however, was lost by remaining in 

 the harbor, as no satisfactory results could have been obtained owing 

 to the unfavorable weather during that period. 



Fishing parties frequently visited the ground lying off the mouth 

 of the bay, with fairly good results, the various trials resulting in 

 423 cod, 29 halibut, 3 turbot, and 7 sculpins. The depth of water 

 ranged from 20 to 26 fathoms; character of the bottom, sand, rocks, 

 and small pebbles. The cod were of good quality, but comparatively 

 small. The halibut were also small, the largest single individual 

 weighing 12 pounds; general average, 8 pounds. Both hand lines 

 and trawls were used. On several occasions more fish were taken on 

 the hand lines than on the trawl. This frequently happens at certain 

 times on all grounds, especially where there is an abundance of star- 

 fish, as was the case on this ground. The baited hooks of the trawl 

 which lie on the bottom attract the starfish and are preempted by 

 them. 



While halibut and cod in the immediate vicinity of Chignik are 

 not plentiful viewed from a commercial standpoint, yet they are 

 sufficiently abundant to more than supply all local demand. It is not 

 uncommon to find halibut in the salmon traps here during the salmon 

 season, and occasionally large individuals are taken in the harbor 



