FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 
245 
Reservation, and, although attempts have been made to locate can- 
neries on it, none but Indians are permitted to fish in the river; they 
catch a large quantity of salmon and prepare them for winter use. In 
1888 there were about 300 men, women, and children on the reservation. 
Sea otters were abundant near the mouth of the river in early days, 
but they have been hunted nearly to extermination. 
49. FISHERIES OF THE QUILLIHUTE RIVER. 
The Quillihute River is located in Clallam County within the limits 
of the Quillihute Indian Reserve. Its length is about 30 miles. There 
is a run of salmon from August to November, from which the Indians 
derive their principal article of food for the winter. In 1888 there was 
a population of 252 Indians living on the reservation. v These Indians 
also engage in whaling during the summer ; nine finback whales were 
captured in 1888; these were cut up and smoked for food. The catch 
is wholly for home consumption and has no commercial importance. 
50. FISHERIES OF PUGET SOUND AND VICINITY, INCLUDING THE 
STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA.* 
i 
Geographical features . — From the standpoint of the fisheries, this 
region seems to have exceptional geographical advantages. The broad, 
deep Strait of Juan de Fuca, which separates the northwestern part of 
the State of Washington from Vancouver Island, affords an excellent 
entrance from the Pacific to Puget Sound and Washington Sound, as 
well as to the Gulf of Georgia, of which there is only a small portion 
within the boundary of the United States. At the western extremity 
of the strait, on the Washington side, is Cape Flattery; from this to 
near the entrance to Puget Souud the land is generally bold and high, 
with stretches of low, sandy beaches or long spits, but, except at Port 
Angeles, there are no fairly well-sheltered and safe harbors. 
Puget Sound is one of the most remarkable waterways in the United 
States. Its deep and well-sheltered channels extend long distances 
inland, winding around many peninsulas and among numerous islands 
of greater or less extent (one of the latter being 30 or more miles in 
leugth), thus affording easy communication to an immense coast area. 
There is no lack of good harbors where fishing fleets may lie in safety, 
and also where curing and packing houses may be established whenever 
occasion calls for it. This region is comparatively near the Alaskan 
fishing grounds, and important halibut banks are in the vicinity. The 
towns on the sound are rapidly growing in population and importance, 
and considering the present transportation facilities and the probable 
extension of railroad communication in the near future, this is a specially 
* Reference is made to the map, plate xliii, for a clear understanding of this region, 
so far as the configuration of the coast and the extent of Puget Souud and adjacent 
waters are concerned. 
