SHAD FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC COAST. 147 



The following summary shows, for certain years, the number of drift 

 nets and the total and average catch of shad per net in the vicinity of 

 Georgetown : 



The tributaries of Winyah Bay are Waccamaw, Pee Dee, Black, and 

 Sarapit rivers, all having shad fisheries of more or less importance, 

 and which will be described successively. 



Waccamaw River. — Waccamaw River has a total length of 149 miles, 

 the lowest 20 of which forms the main channel of Pee Dee River, and 

 is of considerable size. For the succeeding 24 miles, to Conway, it is 

 navigable for vessels of 7 feet draft, while steam navigation with 3 feet 

 draft is carried on 68 miles farther, to Reeves Ferry, N. C, 31 miles 

 from Lake Waccamaw, the head of the river. 



In its lower portion, below Brook Green, the shad fisheries of the 

 Waccamaw are of much importance, a large number of drift nets being 

 used. These are tributary to Georgetown, and have already been noted 

 in the description of the fisheries of Winyah Bay. The nets are from 

 200 to 300 yards long, 16 to 20 feet deep, with 5| to 5£ inch mesh. In 

 1896 the season began January 18 and ended somewhat later than in 

 Winyah Bay. It was noticed during that season that the greater part 

 of the shad were taken near the ends of the nets, the fish crowding the 

 river banks rather than following the channel. 



Above Brook Green shad are taken by means of bow nets by the 

 planters and woodsmen living along the stream as far up as Conway, 

 and occasionally at Red Bluff, 30 miles farther; and a few are some- 

 times taken even beyond the North Carolina line, over 100 miles from 

 Georgetown by the river course. Other than that tributary to George- 

 town, the shad fisheries of Waccamaw River are of small importance, 

 and the inconvenience of ascending the river at the time of my visit 

 renders it impracticable to present an exact statement of their extent. 

 It is probable, however, that not exceeding 500 shad annually are taken 

 on this stream above Brook Green. 



PEE DEE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES. 



This is a river of many names. The lower 20 miles is known as Wac- 

 camaw River; next comes a length of 25 miles known as Bull Creek, 

 the name Pee Dee being given to a series of small creeks and ponds 

 from the head of Bull Creek to Winyah Bay. The succeeding 250 miles, 

 from Bull Creek to the Narrows, is known as Pee Dee River, or the 

 Great Pee Dee, to distinguish it from one of its tributaries called the 

 Little Pee Dee. The name Yadkin River is applied to the 210 miles of 



