682 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



until turned aside by some obstruction. Its practical working proves the theory to be well 

 founded ; but some uncertainty exists as to the degree of perfection attained by the device and 

 the ratio of fish caught to those encountering the weir and escaping. The testimony of some close 

 observers indicates that a very considerable proportion of the salmon that are enticed into the 

 outer pond, and some even of those that reach the fish pound, find their way out again. Whether 

 there is utility in the two entrances, on the upper and lower sides of the leader, is also a matter 

 of doubt, as it is not known whether as a rule the fish enter the weir on the lower or the upper 

 side, whether with the flood or ebb tide. 



The precise location of a weir for most effective work appears to receive less attention than 

 the importance of the subject demands; yet it would not be correct to say that the fishermen are 

 heedless in the matter. In nearly all the fishing districts since weir-fishing first began there have 

 been many experiments tried in the location of weirs, and those sites that paid best have been 

 selected and continuously occupied. The locations that have thus stood the test of experience are 

 strictly regarded by their owners, and many of the best weirs have been built in the same position, 

 with scarce the variation of a fathom, for a generation ; for all this, it is probable that a careful study 

 of the tides and currents and the influence upon their movements of the fish would lead to a change 

 of location for the better in many cases. The observations of some intelligent fishermen have led 

 them to the conclusion that the line of contact between a tidal current and an eddy is the place 

 where fish (especially salmon) are most likely to congregate, and that the nearer the entrance of 

 a weir can be brought to this line the greater will be its success, other things being equal. This 

 is not so easy a thing to do as might at first appear. The position of an eddy line varies with 

 the strength of the tides, the volume of the river, and the force and direction of the wind ; so that a 

 weir which is to-day in just the most favorable position may not be so again for a month. Sometimes 

 for a whole season the mean position of an eddy line may be some rods away from its normal 

 position. More generally recognized are the direct influences of the winds. Almost any fisherman 

 will say " such a wind is favorable for me, but with such another I catch nothing." In general, 

 it appears that a lee shore is better than a sheltered shore. Perhaps the wind influences solely by 

 roughening the surface of the water, which in nearly all kinds of fishing is a favorable circumstance. 

 Calms are universally unfavorable. 



The pound net, or trap. The pound net or " trap" (the ordinary term) in use on the Penobscot 

 consists of the " run," the " inner pound," and the " outer pound." The run is a straight net running 

 out into the water at right angles to the shore. It is 11 or 12 feet deep, and its length depends 

 somewhat on the character of the site; 25 fathoms is the common length, but in very "bold" water 

 18 or 20 fathoms will answer. At the extremity of the run is the inner pound, which is shaped like an 

 obtuse arrow-head, the two barbs being styled "hooks." The entrance of this inner pound, 6 feet 

 wide, is between the barbs or " hooks," and at its tip is an opening 1 foot wide, which leads into 

 the outer pound, an inclosure about 18 feet square. Both pounds have bottoms and are of the 

 same depth as the run, 11 or 12 feet. The whole is supported by^wooden floats, so that it rises and 

 falls with the tide, and is held in place by anchors planted at the extremities of long " warps." 

 The mesh employed is 6 or 6 inches long, being 3 or 3 inches square. This mesh is too small 

 to enmesh a 22-pound salmon and too large to catch one of 6 pounds. It is supposed that if small 

 salmon ever enter these nets they pass out through the meshes. The majority of the medium-sized 

 and large salmon do not mesh, but remain free in the pound, being too wary to strike the meshes. 

 The bottom of the net is commonly several fathoms above the ground ; and were not the salmon 

 that encounter its run persistent surface swimmers, they would dive under it and escape without 

 entering the pounds. The three parts first described constitute what the fishermen call a " hook 



