6 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
almost exclusively in taking salmon, although three of them have a small trap in the immediate 
vicinity of their establishments. They are all dry at low tide, and when fish are found in them men 
go in and pick them up from the ground. 
The fourth cannery had a trap formerly, but did not find it profitable. Nothing that can he called 
an obstacle to the free passage of salmon exists in the Nushagak Eiver. 
I learned from Mr. J. W. Clark, one. of the projectors, and others, that a union trap was in process 
of construction in Wood Eiver, and in order to ascertain the character and present condition of the 
work I took Mr. P. II. Johnson, who has charge of the enterprise, and Mr. Clark, in one of the ship’s 
boats, and steamed to the point indicated, which 1 found to he about 20 miles above its mouth. 
Wood Eiver at that point is a stream of pure cold water between 700 and 800 feet in width and 10 
feet deep at low tide; rise, 3 to 4 feet. 
The work of trap-building was in progress, a group of ten piles having been driven about 300 
feet from shore, and lying on the hank were a portion of the nets required to mount the finished 
structure. Operations were not sufficiently advanced to enable me to judge their intention, and I can 
only give the plan as detailed to me by the builders. Mr. Clark stated that the plans contemplated 
two 40-foot square traps, with wings extending to the shore on either side, an open channel of 100 
feet being left in midstream for the passage of the salmon ; that he had joined the enterprise with the 
stipulation that this passage should he left unobstructed at all times. 
In reply to a question, he said that he had lived in the country many years as a fur-dealer, and 
the thickly populated region on Wood Eiver contained many of his best customers; hence he would 
have no hand in anything that would injure them. An obstruction in the river preventing the run of 
salmon would result in actual starvation to the majority of the natives. 
Mr. P. H. Johnson, the prime mover in the affair, described the plans precisely as Mr. Clark had 
done. He considered the traps as an experiment involving too much money to be expended by either 
of the canneries singly ; hence, he had endeavored to interest all four, and finally succeeded, Mr. Clark 
having j oined them with the provision that a free passage of at least 100 feet should he left in the 
middle of the river. He said this stipulation was agreed to willingly, as they never had an idea of 
barricading the stream. The inclosed sketch shows the plan as given to me by the gentlemen men- 
tioned ; and the blue prints [not reproduced] give an accurate idea of the present state of the structure. 
It will he observed that, while a 100-foot channel will serve for the ascent of salmon, complete barri- 
cade of the stream can he accomplished with a net of that length, 12 to 15 feet in depth. Whether this 
simple appliance will be used depends, in the absence of a Government inspector, upon the canners 
themselves. 
Very respectfully, 
Z. L. Tanner, 
Lieutenant Commander, U. S. Navy, Commanding. 
Scale: 
Note. — The river is at this point about 750 feet wide; depth at 
mean low water, 10 feet ; rise, 3 to 4 feet. 
