FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1907, 17 
times during the run of humpbacks for the purpose of observing the 
fish. The most interesting point was at the village falls. Here 
scarcely an instant of time elapsed that did not witness one or more 
salmon attempting the leap to clear the falls. Apparently nearly 
every salmon made many unsuccessful attempts before finally over- 
coming the obstacle, as they were constantly seen to fail and fall 
back with the swift rush of water. Below the falls the congregation 
of fish seemed to have reached its imit. They were packed in almost 
solidly, their bodies in contact, evidently several fish deep in the 
water, the upper ones wriggling over the bodies of those beneath as 
they constantly headed upstream and breasted the current in their 
endeavor to reach the falls. During August and early in September 
this run is at its height. On October 7, after seven weeks, the creek 
was again visited. A marked change in conditions had occurred. 
Now many fish were dead and distributed along the banks of the 
creek, in and out of the water, which was tinged with brown. The 
creek still contained many living fish, but they were greatly changed 
in appearance, many in a dying condition or in the frantic move- 
ments of the death agony, and showing the usual characters of spent 
salmon. Nearly all had deposited their eggs. On October 16 the 
number of salmon still living had still further, and very greatly, 
diminished. Many of the dead were completely enveloped in fun- 
gus, and the bodies of some had been nearly consumed by it. Though 
the spawning season had been practically over for some time, and 
many millions of eggs must have been deposited, an inspection of the 
bottom of the creek did not reveal many live eggs exposed to view. 
Many dead eggs were to be seen, largely collected into heaps by the 
eddies. Under the stones were found many eggs both living and 
dead, and many of the living eggs were eyed (October 16), and the 
movements of the embryo could be seen when the egg was broken. 
The temperature of the creek was 47° F. Between the power house 
and the dam no fish were seen and none were leaping at the dam. In 
August they could be seen attempting to get over this inaccessible 
fall. 
Notwithstanding the great run of salmon, apparently packing the 
creek so solidly that its full reproductive capacity must be reached, 
the impression in October, resulting from a search for eggs, is that 
the creek could sustain many more than appear to exist. 
An occasional redfish in spawning color may be seen during August 
among the humpbacks, and in October a few cohos are taken with 
the gaff. 
Yes Bay.—There was a very scant run of redfish in Yes Bay in the 
earlier part of the season, and the superintendent of the Government 
hatchery at Yes Lake, fearing for his supply of spawning fish, partly 
closed the bay to fishing. The conditions not improving, early in 
