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THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 



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the deep swift waters for a mile below the falls. By the first 

 of April some fish are taken with the rods, the sport becoming 

 better toward May 1st, but ceasing when the rising Columbia 

 backs up the waters of Willamette to fifteen feet at Oregon City. 

 The catch of rod fishermen this season was a considerable sup- 

 ply of the finest salmon in Portland markets, nearly a ton per 

 day having been sold to markets by men fishing for revenue 

 only, with the rod. Net fishing begins May 1st, and thereafter 

 there is little sport for rod fishermen, as the narrows of the 

 river are raked by seine nets — a great loss to the waters of the 

 upper river as well as the sportsmen who fish the river below 

 the falls. The Willamette from the suspension bridge to the 

 falls should be entirely free at all seasons from net fishing. 



Salmon may be lurking by thousands in the boiling depths 

 of the rapids below the falls, but only an occasional fish — 

 probably not one in fifty — will take the angler's spoon lure. 

 * Fishing is almost entirely from boats, and every boat at 

 Oregon City is out almost daily, besides many that go up 

 (fifteen miles) from Portland. It is necessary to have strong 

 tackle, for fish up to fifty pounds weight are taken, and a 

 skillful gaffer is as necessary as a competent man at the rod. 

 The catch is limited to three fish to a man per day. A club 

 has just been formed in Portland, the members of which will 

 fish for salmon with six-ounce rods and a small line (9-thread)— 

 tackle appears impossibly light, but has proven sufficient, and 

 has added vastly to the sport. 



An occasional salmon is caught along the Willamette all the 

 way from Portland to the falls. 



When the Columbia reaches a flood stage at 20 feet and 

 more, the salmon are able to leap the falls at Oregon City and 

 proceed on their way to the spawning grounds of the upper 

 river. The fish ladder at the falls permits the ascent of some 

 salmon, but it is quite inadequate for the object intended. To 

 watch the salmon ascending the fishway . in incredible leaps, 

 darting like birds unerringly from pool to pool, is an experience 

 worth crossing America to behold. 



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