INHABITANTS OF OREGON AND CALIFORNIA WATERS. 293 



when pulled by the knowing ones. The fresh water fish 

 swarm the streams and lakes in abundance. The Salmon 

 here lord their way through the Sacramento and Columbia 

 rivers, and their branches, in such large numbers, that they 

 can be seen in immense shoals when entering the rivers in 

 the month of April, and are speared, or captured by the 

 Indians with a wicker basket, with much ease. The 

 natives, also, set fences across the streams where they go 

 up, and confine and secure them in large quantities. They 

 take the fly finely, and afford good sport with the rod and 

 reel. 



The lakes and inland rivers, also, teem with an abun- 

 dance of Catfish, and Salmon Trout of the finest quality and 

 flavor. Capt. Fremont, in his narrative of his exploring 

 expedition to California, says, in speaking of those of the 

 Salmon Trout River : " Their flavor is excellent superior, 

 in fact, to any fish that I have ever known." In the moun- 

 tain streams, the Spotted Trout is found in large quantities, 

 as are the Yellow Perch and many other smaller descrip- 

 tions of fish. The River Gila, which empties into the 

 northern extremity of the Gulf of California, contains fish 

 similar in shape, general appearance, and color to the Trout. 

 *' At a little distance," says Lieut. Emory, " they seem 

 covered with scales, but a closer examination detects 

 n( /thing of the kind, but small marks of a scaly ap- 

 pearance, making them look entirely different from what 

 they seem. Their meat, although very palatable, is rathor 

 soft, and not equal to the Spotted Trout. On the coast are 

 to be found the Green Turtle, Oysters, Mussels, Clams, and 

 other kinds of shell-fish of the largest size, and of the 

 finest flavorable qualities. Altogether California and Ore- 

 gon offer great inducements to the angler and epicurean.'* 



