THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 
37 
an Indian owner of a stream used to boast that Ids trap was so cleverly arranged 
that Bot a fish could get np the stream; that he caught them all. It is said that the 
Indians appreciated the necessity of allowing the fish to ascend the streams to 
spawn, and therefore after obtaining their winter supply they opened the barricades. 
That barricading has been done in recent years by the Indians there is no doubt, 
for in a number of instances evidences of recent barricading were found on streams 
presumably fished by Indians only. If the law were translated into Chinook, printed 
on muslin, and posted in every Indian village and explained to the natives, it would 
have an excellent effect. 
The general form of these barricades is the same, and a description of one in 
Nichols Bay stream. Prince of Wales Island, may answer in a general way for all. 
The barricades extend solidly across the stream, and the best idea that can be gained 
of this construction is by reference to the illustrations accompanying this report. 
They are located near the high-water mark and, if possible, at a point where a pool is 
formed immediately below the obstruction. A tree, 2 or 3 feet in diameter, is felled 
across the stream, and then cut to a proper length so as to make a log that reaches 
from bank to bank and from 4 to 
6 feet above the surface of the 
stream. This log is then jammed 
and wedged into the rocky ledges 
on each side of the banks, sup- 
ported underneath to pverent it 
from sagging, and braced from 
the downstream side by heavy 
beams to resist the great pressure 
brought by the floods. Straight saplings, 18 to 20 feet in length and 3 to 4 inches in 
diameter, are cut, sometimes split lengthwise, and laid in the direction of the stream 
over the log, the butts embedded in the river bed niistream and covered with the river 
deposit, and the lower ends projecting over the log several feet. These split rails are 
laid solidly side by side from bank to baidc. Tdie water at ordinary stages flows 
through the interstices, and in heavy floods over the ends. 
The barricades are usually so solidly built that they resist the ordinary drift, and 
at most have but a few rails, which are easily replaced if knocked out. Frequently 
a second tree is partly cut, so as to have it ready in case of accident to the barricade- 
Such was the construction of the one at Nichols Bay stream, and in addition, at one 
side where there was a branch, a wire netting was stretched across. 
It IS readily seen that the fish in passing upstream go under the log and are 
prevented from further ascent by the rails, and as their spawning instinct keeps them 
heading the current, they remain in the vicinity and are easily captured. This barri- 
cade was so solid that not a fish could pass through ; it is probable, however, with a full 
•stream and the water pouring over the end, that a few salmon following the stream may 
leap the end rails. To prevent this there is sometimes an effective addition in the 
shajie of a galvanized iron wire netting stretched across the top in the direction of the 
log, from bank to bank, to catch the strays that might succeed in leaping the barrier. 
In some instances, instead of the split rails, there are heavy rails laid u])stream, about 
4 feet apart, and over these are secured light frames of openwork like the lathing of a 
lobster pot, but heavier, through which the water can flow while excluding the passage 
of fish. 
End view of barricade, showing method of construction. 
