60 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Dredging and fishing trials . — Three dredgings, all with the beam trawl, were 
made in the vicinity of Flattery Rocks, and between there and Cape Flattery. The 
first was at station No. 2866, 19 miles S. 40° W. from Flattery Light-house, 171 fath- 
oms, gray sand f the second at station 2867, 17 miles S. 23° W. from Flattery Light, 37 
fathoms, fine sand ; the third at station 2872, 8 miles S. 40° W. from the same light- 
house, 38 fathoms, gray sand. 
Near station 2867 the halibut trawl, baited with salt salmon, was set at 3 p. m. 
and hauled at 5 p. m., securing eight sharks, two dogfish, and one halibut, the latter 
weighing 140 pounds and measuring 5 feet 9 inches in length. A few hand lines were 
also tried in the same locality, one red rockfish and several dogfish being taken by 
them. A skate of halibut trawl, baited with salt salmon and red rockfish, was also 
set in the position of dredging station 2872, but only two sharks and one star-fish were 
taken on it. In the spring the Indians fish for halibut in this locality, but it is as yet 
impossible' to say whether they are sufficiently abundant there to insure good fares to 
the vessel fishermen. 
Three dredging stations were made September 24 on the halibut bank at the mouth 
of the Straits of Fuca, at distances of 10 to 12 miles northwesterly from Cape Flat- 
tery. These stations are numbered from 2873 to 2875, inclusive. The depths ranged 
from 27 to 40 fathoms, and the bottom was exceedingly variable in character, consist- 
ing in diflerent places of rocks, shells, mud, and sand. The first trial was made with 
the beam trawl at No, 2873, depth 40 fathoms. The trawl was lowered, but caught at 
once on the rough rocky bottom, and the frame was lost, the wreck of the net coming 
up with the bridle. The tangles were then lowered in 27 fathoms, rocks and shells, 
the result showing a rich fauna, or “live bottom,” in the vernacular of the fishermen. 
Another haul with the tangles (No. 2875) was made over the same ground with similar 
results. 
The halibut trawl was set in the same position as the above dredging stations, the 
depth being 40 fathcms, and the bottom rocky. Salt salmon and red rockfish were 
used as bait. It was allowed to remain on the bottom about three hours, and when 
hauled up four halibut, two sharks, four red rockfish, and two star fish were found 
upon the hooks. The average weight of the halibut was 47f pounds; three were 
females and one was a male; they were all white. Gray halibut are seldom found in 
these waters. 
The above operations were on the well-known bank where, in the spring and early 
summer, halibut are found in great numbers, and where the Indians for many years 
have procured their winter supplies. 
September 25 work was continued in nearly the same locality as on the previous 
day. The beam trawl was cast at station No. 2876, 2 or 3 miles northeasterly from 
stations 2873 to 2875, ami the trawl line, baited with salmon, red rockfish, and fresh 
halibut, was set at the same time. The depth was 59 fathoms, and the bottom con- 
sisted of black sand and mud. The beam trawl dragged but a few yards, when it 
caught on a rocky patch, parted the bridle stops, and came up tail first. It was, how- 
ever, a successful haul, and many specimens were found in the net. The tangles were 
subsequently hauled over the same ground (station 2877) with good results, giving 
evidence of the richness of the bottom. The towing net, which was frequently used 
in this region, however, gave very little evidence of surface life. The halibut trawl 
remained on the bottom three hours, and the catch consisted of two halibut, one red 
