264 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Mr. E. E. Slierman, who lives 3 miles below Upper Salmon Falls, says: 
The first salmon to run in the fall are what we call “silver salmon.” They come about September 
10 and continue until about October 15; occasionally catch them later, with “dog salmon.” Last 
year I caught perhaps a ton at Mr. Millet’s fishery. They would average about 8 pounds; the 
largest weigh about 15 pounds, and the smallest about 3 pounds. They spawn on the bars in the 
river, where the dog salmon spawn a little later. I never saw a dead silver salmon. Can tell 
them from the dog salmon by the difference iu color, shape of head, shorter nose, and smaller teeth. 
I never see them at any time except early in the fall. 
The “dog salmon” arrive about September 30, and are most abundant about October 10, hut 
continue until the last of October. They are ripe when they first come. The smallest weigh about 
5 pounds, the largest probably 60 pounds, or 49 pounds dressed; they average about 15 pounds. 
Last year I caught about 6 tons, which I sold at 3 cents a pound to people who would come to the 
fishery for the fish, then peddle them out, chiefly at Oakley, Goose Creek, Raft River, etc., getting 6 
to 8 cents a pound. 
The dog salmon spawn on coarse gravel bars. There is a good-sized spawning-ground at Millet’s 
Island, and a large one about 8 miles above Millet’s at Lewis’s Ferry. They get sore late in the fall, 
especially the males. Have seen a good many dead dog salmon, and have seen them fighting a good deal. 
It is scarcely necessary to state that the names u dog salmon,” u silver salmon,” 
“silversides,” “ salmon belly,” “chinook salmon,” and “quinnat salmon,” as used in 
Idaho, all refer to the single species Oncorliynchus tscliawytscha. The individuals 
which arrive earliest in the season are in the best condition and are known as silver 
salmon, silversides, or salmon bellies, while the distorted, disfigured, and dying indi- 
viduals seen late in the season are generally known as dog salmon. “ Chinook” and 
“quinnat” are not often heard among the Snake River fishermen. 
Since my return home from Idaho Mr. Sherman has kindly sent me the following 
information regarding his fishing during the season of 1894 : 
From October 1 to October 15 I fished about miles above Upper Salmon Falls. I did not keep 
any record of my catch, but it amounted to about 3,200 pounds. The fish were not numerous, but 
were about as thick when I quit as at any time. About one-third of those caught were females and 
about half were ripe. They would average about 10 pounds each. Our seining-ground here was on 
a spawning-bed, and there are still other spawning-beds above the upper falls. Thinking I might do 
better I went to Glenn Ferry, and from October 20 to 26, inclusive, I fished at a point about 2 miles below 
the ferry. I caught about 5 tons of salmon, but they were in bad condition and I saved only about 1 ton. 
The run at that place was said to have been about October 10. The fish that I got were all spent fish 
and about a third of them were females. 
Clia.rles Harvey, Duret, Idaho, gives the following: 
I am mining just below Lower Salmon Falls ; have been here only one year. Caught a few salmon 
for my own use last year. Dog salmon came up last year about the last of September. Two weeks 
ago (about September 2) there were a great many salmon here at the falls. Most of the fish which get 
over the falls do so near the left shore and the left one of the two middle chutes. On Monday, September 
17, caught a 20-pound female “silver salmon” with a grab hook at the chute. It was in excellent 
condition ; the eggs were not yet ripe and the flesh was firm and of fine flavor. 
Mr. George W. Bell, also living at Duret, says : 
I have lived here near Lower Salmon Falls since 1889; have paid some attention to the salmon. 
Think they formerly came up earlier than they do now — as early as last of July. They used to be more 
abundant than now. Indians used to get a good many. There is only one run, lasting about a month. 
Camas Jim, an Indian wbo fishes a good deal, says there are not many fish this year. 
Mr. Liberty Millet, Salmon Falls, Idalio, gave us the following information: 
Have lived here on this island below Upper Salmon Falls for ten years, and have fished for eight 
years. Salmon were formerly much more abundant than now. They usually appear about September 
1, but I have caught some in August. The early ones we call “silversides.” The ones we call “Chinooks” 
do not come until later, say about September 15 to October 1, and continue until the last of October. 
