SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 21 



of the TJ. S. Fish Commission. About 10 miles to the northward of Cape Alitak the 

 bay contracts abruptly, and continues narrowing to the north for a distance of about 

 7 miles, when it expauds again into a great bay fully 15 miles in length, composed of 

 two enlarged ends connected by a narrower intervening body. This upper portion has 

 been called Olga Bay, and it is the body of water in which we are most interested at 

 present, because some of its tributaries furnish all of the red salmon now shipped from 

 Alitak Bay. The general direction of Olga Bay is nearly northeast and southwest. 



The chief salmon river or creek falling into Olga Bay is " at the outlet of the 

 second chain of lakes into the upper portion of Olga Bay, a point only about 2J miles 

 from the southwestern shore of the island, Olga Bay itself being separated from the 

 ocean only by a narrow neck of marshy land about three-fourths of a mile across." 



"At this river the Arctic Packing Company's cannery is located. The detour 

 required to reach it by steamer is upwards of 30 miles longer than it would be if Olga 

 Bay were connected with the ocean at its western end." — (F. Booth). 



The width of this stream at the time of our visit, September 8, was scarcely more 

 than 10 feet near its mouth, and the depth of the water was 8 inches. The river 

 is plotted by Captain Larsen as 1 mile in length. At its head is a chain of two large 

 deep lakes, 4 miles long. At the river mouth the bottom is lined with coarse pebbles 

 similar in size to those composing the adjacent beach. The exit of this stream is often 

 changed by storms. Young salmon, about 2 inches in length, were plentiful here. 

 The fishing is done with sweep seines in the bay near the river mouth and was about 

 closed September 8. Bed salmon is the principal species, but a few silver salmon run 

 into it also. 



On the shore of Olga Bay opposite the cannery of the Arctic Packing Company 

 there is a small fishing station operated by the Kodiak Packing Company, and known 

 as the White Star Fishing Station. Bed salmon and silver salmon are found there. 



At the northeastern end of Olga Bay there is a fishing station used by the Kodiak 

 Packing Company and called by them the North Fishing Station. This locality was 

 seen September 9 by Mr. Booth, who describes it in the following words: 



" The river at the North Fishing Station spreads out at its mouth into two shallow 

 lagoons, which once formed estuaries for a large river in the present bed. These lagoons 

 are separated from the bay by a long, narrow spit of slate gravel, overgrown with 

 rank grass, through which the river, or rather creek, has an outlet about 30 feet wide 

 and 12 inches deep. This creek takes the drainage from a narrow valley running 

 north amougst a series of very barren, snow-covered mountains. The shores of the 

 lagoons are covered with occasional patches of alder, thicker on the western than on 

 the eastern side. The lagoons themselves are each about 500 yards long and 300 yards 

 wide, and at low water must be almost dry. The company had ceased fishing there 

 at the date of my visit, so we staid but a short time, not sufficient to allow me to 

 attempt any extended reconnaissance." 



In the vicinity of the North Fishing Station there is a small belt of timber, con- 

 sisting chiefly of alder and cotton wood. I was informed that 30 cords of wood suitable 

 for fuel were cut during the fishing season at this locality. Not far away from this 

 station to the westward is a region which is noted for the number of its bears. 



The waters of Olga Bay and Alitak Bay at the time of our excursion were teem- 

 ing with jelly fishes, and in Alitak Bay I observed anumber of small whales. The nar- 

 nows connecting Alitak Bay with Olga Bay receives many small streams on both sides, 



