THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 
65 
FISH CREEK. 
Fisli Creek, at Ketchikan, is a little larger than the Quadra Stream, and is a lake 
outlet. It flows with great velocity through a rocky glen, in rapids and falls. Thei e 
are no artificial obstructions to the passage of fish in this stream. It is a remarkable 
stream for humpback salmon, containing that species almost exclusively, though a 
few steelheads find their way to the upper waters. No redflsh or cohoes are taken 
here. The steelheads probably find their way to the lake, but no other species could 
surmount the falls and rapids. At the time of our visit (June 9) a few steelheads were 
running upstream, and at one of the rapids an Indian was catching them by means 
of a large, pointed hook, secured to a stout pole, which he held in the current, and, by 
sight or touch, hooked the fish broadside on. Mr. Clark stated that steelheads seem 
more plentiful from the middle of May to the last of June, though he has seen some 
as early as the middle of April. They are so few in number that they are used for 
local consumption only. 
The run of the humpbacks is from July 15 to September 1. They spawn in the 
lower courses of the stream in pools and eddies. At low water at the mouth of the 
river, and facing Tougass Narrows, there is a good seining beach, and it is here that 
the humpbacks are taken. Their average weight is 4 pounds. 
In 1897 Clark & Martin used in their fisheries 1 drag seine at Ketchikan and 1 
at George Inlet, each 150 fathoms long, and 3 inch mesh, valued at $175 each; 2 
inirse seines at Quadra, 225 and 240 fathoms long, valued at $000 each. From 4 to 
10 boats were used, ^ud 10 whites and 30 natives were employed. At Fish Creek in 
1894 500,000 humpbacks were taken; 240,000 in 1895; 300,000 in 1890, and 500,000 
in 1897. In 1897 the run of humpbacks was almost unprecedented. At one haul of a 
seine 22,000 were taken. 
The price paid by the canneries to Clark »& Martin for fresh fish, delivered along- 
side the cannery steamer at the fisheries, was 75 cents per 100 for humpbacks, and 
$0.50 per 100 for redflsh. If there was any call for dog salmon they received $3 per 
100 for them, bnt very few of this species are packed. 
In 1890 Clark & Martin delivered to Loring cannery 248,258 humpbacks between 
July 24 and August 31, and in 1897, 318,000 humpbacks from Fish Creek, and 102,000 
humpbacks and 20,000 redflsh from Quadra. In 1897 they salted, from Fish Creek, 
500 half-barrels of humpback bellies; from Quadra, 700 half barrels of humpback 
bellies; from George Inlet, 300 half barrels of humpback bellies, and from scattering 
places, though mostly from George Inlet, 120 whole barrels of cohoes. 
WARD COVE. 
About 5 miles to the westward of Ketchikan a small bay known as Ward Cove 
makes in off' Tougass Narrows on the northern shore. A small stream emxities into 
this cove, carrying annually about 2,000 redflsh with some other salmon. There was 
formerly a saltery here, which was purchased by the Alaska Packers’ Association and 
partially dismantled. Some of the buildings are still standing, and an Indian who 
makes his home in the cove salts a few fish. 
The cannery at Loring obtained from Ward Cove in 1897, between July 24 and 
August 13, 1,500 redflsh, 600 cohoes, and 11,000 humpbacks. The stream was not 
examined. 
F. C. B., 1898 5 
