180 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
cess was met with until 1882. It will be noticed that the pack of 1885 
was exceptionally low. This re^llt is attributed to the fact that 4 years 
previously nearly all the spawners that had been held in confinement 
died, and consequently eggs could not be secured in any numbers. In 
18S0 the effect of the successful hatching of several hundred thousands 
of young salmon in 1882 was felt, and from this time on there has been 
a marked annual increase of important proportions. 
It may not be out of place to notice in a brief manner the establish- 
ment of Mr. R. D. Hume on this river. Settling on the river with only 
a wilderness surrounding him, he has, by his indomitable energy, through 
the medium of the fisheries, built up one of the most complete estab- 
lishments on the Pacific. In connection with the enterprise has sprung 
up the small town of Ellensburgh. Mr. Hume’s establishment em- 
braces all that pertains to the salmon fishery. There is a cannery for 
the packing of salmon ; sailing vessels and a steamer for transporting 
the products to market; a hatching establishment and rearing ponds 
for the propagation of salmon; nets are made here, boats and sails 
manufactured, the fishermen housed and boarded ; a general store, 
including a medical dispensary, etc., supplies all necessary wants.* 
Species, seasons , etc. — There are three varieties of salmon found in the 
Eogue Eiver, the quinnat, silver, and steelhead ;f also the salmon trout, 
black-spotted trout, sole, sardine, smelt, herring, perch, suckers, lamprey 
eels, etc. The salmon are the only objects of fisheries, except perhaps 
the trout, which are sought by anglers more as a pastime than for com- 
mercial purposes. The quinnat salmon is the first to enter the river; 
it arrives about March 1 and continues to run until October 1; a few 
scattering specimens occur after that date. Silver salmon appear about 
the middle of September and continue until about the middle of Novem- 
ber, though a few maybe taken before and after those dates. There is 
also a large run of steelheads in January and February, which continues 
into the spring. The average weight of salmon in the Rogue is said to be 
greater than that of the same species in the Columbia. Of two lots of 
quinnat salmon of twelve specimens each that were indiscriminately 
caught and weighed, the first lot averaged 33J pounds and the second 
lot 24 J pounds, bringing the average to about 30 pounds. The silver 
salmon and steelhead average about 8 pounds each. 
Fishing grounds . — The grounds upon which the fisheries are prose- 
cuted are all located on the river. On the shores, near the mouth of 
the stieam, seines are hauled, and gill nets and set nets are operated in 
the river, chiefly below the village. 
Fishermen , wages , etc. — The fisheries on the river gave employment 
in 1888 to 32 Americans, 3 Englishmen,! Swedes, 1 Austrian, and 1 negro, 
* In another paper, in course of preparation by the Commissioner, more detailed 
notice will be taken of the propagating work done by Mr. Hume. 
t The steelhead, though belonging to the river trouts, is universally called a salmon 
aud for this reason the popular navue is used hr this report. 
