NOTKS ON THE FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 
235 
with a return of tlie breeze the fisliing takes on again. The method of taking forcibly reminds me of 
the trout. Shyly at times, and again boldly, sometimes striking several times at the bait, and with 
following up ami striking at intervals of a few seconds ; at times biting olf half the bait and in follow- 
ing up for the l)alance, and in one instance I'ollowing up the bait with frequent half-decided action 
until the bait was within 10 feet of the boat and then fiercely seizing it while I had the line in my 
hand. It proved a close call in a double sense, as the fish was a heavy one of 25 j^ounds, and carried 
the line oiit of my hand and the sinker attached, which rested in the boat, and very nearly got away 
with my wlude outtit. I fortunately still held my rod in hand, and although I ]>aid out nearly the 
whole of my 600 feet of line, the fish was well hooked and in fifteen juiuutes w'as brought to gaff. In 
boldness and general action the salmon have reminded me constantly of trout, paying but little 
attention to the boat, occasionally passing in sight within a few feet and striking on the surface at an 
occasional small fish, and at times going entirely ont of the water in pursuit. 
For esperi)nent I tried the spoon, but fancied I did not do as well as with bait, although 1 caught 
two salmon with it. I also tried the spoon with fish bait, catching one that way, but believe the fish 
bait alone to be the best. The salmon upon being opened seem to have more squid inside than other 
fish, although at times full of saialines, and oltenerwvith anchovies. Sardines are, howev'er, the best 
bait, and squid but indifferent, while I have had some success with smelts and young sh.ad. At one 
time, out of l)ait, I used a striji of salmon belly, which did well enough to catch two salmon. 
As I have my salmon rods for lly fishing I shall later on try a little surface work with the fly, but 
I do not anticip.ate much success; still I believe they will take under favorable circumstances, when 
they are as plentiful as I am informed by the fishenuen they are outside the h, arbor at times in deeper 
■water, when the fishermen have sometimes observ'ed several salmon at a time, even n^) to a dozen in 
number, following the bait u]i almost to the boat’s, side. 
The fishing in the harbor is in more or less turbid water, with a depth of from 6 to 10 fathoms; 
■VNliile outside of the bay, in deeper water, it is clearer and the salmon can be more distinctly observed. 
I am informed by the fishermen that at times the salmon are so plentiful a few miles beyond the 
harbor that they are enabled to fill their boats in a fe^v hours. These occasions, however, are rare, and 
where the salmon are found plentiful one day they may not be found the nest. It has been usual, 
however, for the salmon to remain about and in the harbor for several weeks each year, although they 
skip their annual visits occasionally. The small fish which the salmon follow into the harbor come 
in countless numbers, often in large, moving masses, and their presence is indicated to the fishermen 
by the hovering sea gulls, pelicans, and other predatory birds. These are seen liusily at work on the 
salmon-gronnds, and often indicate the most favorable places for fishing. While the salmon evidently 
come in schools at first, it would appear that they scatter more or less about, instead of remaining 
together, although they mass more or less when in the vicinity of large schools of small fish. The 
fishermen are more oi" less guides for each other, and they maybe scattered over a square mile without 
doing much in catch. Presently one or two commence hauling in, ■which congregate all the others in 
the vicinity, and the fishing goes on merrily for awhile. Then a scattering takes place again, and a 
regathering afterwards. Still, I have found about as good success in passing up and down in certain 
localities as in following the- fishing boats. 
The market fishermen, as I have previously'observed, lose fully half of the salmon they hook; it 
is a straight overhand pull, and no give except that which is compelled l)y ■nnant of strength. The 
line and hook.s are strong, and the fishermen have no time to wait. If the salmon are identiful they 
do not much mind the losses, which often occur from neglect in using the gaff. With the light rod, 
the fish, if hooked, is seldom lost. I brought in several with skin holds, which would not have been 
held for a moment in hand fishing. One salmon which I caught had been on one of the market fish- 
ermen’s line- and had a torn hook-mark in his mouth and a cruel gatf cut between his ventral and anal 
tins. The gaff cut was nearly 3 inches long, and had penetrated nearly to his other side, and was 
too serious to have ever healed nji again. The fish was a large one, of about 21 jionuds in weight, 
and in fine condition, although the gatf cut was evide7itly two or three days old. The wound had 
evidentlj' made but a slight impression on the a 2 '>petite of the fish, as it struck fiercely and fought 
hard. * ♦ 
I found the salmon which exhibited the most gamy qualities to do their fighting near the surface, 
seemingly to disdain any depth after once being brought up, and to often make an almost conqileto 
circuit of tlie boat. Certainly a more beautiful sight than a salmon exhibits, with his brilliant colors 
as he strokes along ■with his iiowerful tail near the surface in the clear water and bright light, never 
gladdens the heart of a fisherman. We all know the dangers to -which the salmon is exposed in fresh 
