SALMON FISHERIES OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 
165 
coudacted between Kalama and the Cascades, both in the river and its tributaries, 
such as the Willamette, the Cowlitz, etc. The fishing operations on the Upper Colum- 
bia, from the Cascades to the mouth of the Deschutes Eiver, are conducted almost 
exclusively with salmon wheels, which are turned by the force of the current. These, 
when properly located and operated, constitute most eflective. engines of capture. 
A careful examination of the charts giving the number and location of the 
different fishing ai^paratus will show how effectually the salmon are embarrassed or 
intercepted in their attempts to reach their spawning-gronuds. It is not a matter of 
wonder that, under existing conditions, there has been a serious deterioration in the 
value of these fisheries. It is, indeed, a matter of surprise that any salmon have 
been able to elude the labyrinth of nets which bar their course to the Upper Columbia. 
It is hardly an exaggeration to state that the entire volume of this great river is 
strained through the meshes of the innumerable nets which occupy and obstruct 
every passageway to the spawning-grounds. It is ceitaiu that the continuation of 
these fisheries under present conditions will eventually result in rendering them 
unremuuerative. It concerns alike the whole people of the State, as rvell as those 
directly interested in the fisheries, that such regulations of the times, methods, and 
apparatus of these fisheries should be established and enforced as are necessary to 
maintain sui)ply. 
THE FISHINU SEASON. 
It is a wise policy on the part of the State to encourage the largest catch that can 
be permitted consistent with maintenance of supply; to impose no unnecessary embar- 
rassments or restrictions upon the entei'in'ise of the fishermen, yet at the same time 
to insist upon such iprotective regulations and restraints as may be found necessary 
to prevent the serious impairment of an important industry by the operations of the 
fishermen. The fishermen themselves, who have such imi)ortant interests at stake 
and the security and profit of whose large investments depend upon the maiuteuauce 
of the salmon supply, should be prompt to propose and vigilant to enforce such regu- 
lations as may be necessary to this end. The nature of the protective regulations 
which can be enforced with the least restraint or embarrassment to the salmon fisheries 
and the canning industries is indicated by reference to the following table, showing by 
months the number and weight of each species of salmon taken for canning on the 
Columbia Kiver. 
