FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 313 



maj" be carried to market as far east as Port Towiiseud, The species 

 principal]}' obtained are humpbacks and silver salmon. The cannery 

 established at Port Angeles in 1895 had 12 seines in use in that vicinity 

 the same year. 



Small seines will undoubtedly be found elsewhere in nearly all places 

 along the Washington shore where settlements exist, and where the 

 conditions are suitable for taking salmon by this method. This form 

 of net is one of the most convenient to operate and affords a ready 

 means for securing food. 



The total number of seines employed in the Puget Sound region in 

 both 1897 and 1898 was placed at 59. 



REEF NETS. 



The reef net is the exclusive property of the Indians, by whom it has 

 long been used. Its name is derived from the character of sea bottom 

 for which it is specially adai^ted — the peculiar kelp covered reefs — but 

 while such abound throughout the region, the number over which the 

 sockeye pass in sufficient quantitj' to furnish good fishing seems to be 

 comparatively small. Formerly the nets were made from the fiber of 

 cedar bark or roots, the preparation of which was a winter occupation 

 and consumed much time. Cotton twine is now used and since its 

 introduction the nets have been enlarged. They consist of a piece of 

 webbing, which varies more or less in size, but may average i)erhaps 

 from 36 to 10 feet long by 25 to 30 feet across, the mesh being about 3^ 

 inches. 



To prepare for fishing a channel of suitable width is cut through the 

 kelp, and in this the net is set between two canoes so anchored from 

 both ends as to keep them parallel with and at the sides of the passage- 

 way. The suspension of the net is accomplished by means of guy lines 

 leading from the canoes and head anchors. In the position which it 

 then assumes the front end, facing the current, sinks near the bottom, 

 while the hind end curves to near the surface. Although the kelp 

 may be quite submerged along the sides of the channel, still it tends to 

 direct the fish toward the net, and their movements may still further 

 be controlled by short leads of kelp run out from the front corners of 

 the latter. In case the depth of water is too great, ropes are sometimes 

 stretched across the channel below the front margin of the net, and to 

 these bunches of reeds may be attached with the object of turning the 

 fish upward. 



The salmon, approaching with the current, pass upon the net. They 

 do not mesh, nor is tliere anything to prevent their escaping at the 

 sides. It is at this point that the Indians are required to display their 

 skill. An experienced man stands in the bow of each canoe as a look- 

 out, while each of the guy lines is in the hands of a member of the crew. 

 The moment fish are seen coming over the net word is given to haul 

 in, a command which must be i)romptly obeyed. The side lines leading 

 to the stern anchors are tripi)ed at the same time, causing the boats 



