The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-05
NOVEL METHOD OF FISHING.
How Northwestern Indians Catch
Trout and Salmon by Diving.
From, the Forest and Stream.

How Northwestern Indians Catch
Trout and Salmon by Diving.
From the Forest and Stream.
The two Indians were going to show us
their method of catching trout and salmon.
The stream runs between steep mountains,
is very rocky and the current swift. The
water was ice cold and as clear as crystal.
1t was alive with small trout and the big
holes were well filed with salmon, or sal
mon trout, ranging from five to twelve
pounds. How did ache for my split bam-
boo, which | had foolishly left down in the
valley. These fish, from the smallest to the
largest, would take the fly or any kind of
bait readily.
Steiger proved this by losing fly hooks to
two OK the big fellows, but he captured a
nice lot of the smaller ones, ranging from
half pound down. He stopped when he
had enough, but verify believe 500 could
be easily taken in day by the industrious
and interruptions trout hog. The Indians
were fishing for themselves, and of course
we could not prevent them from using their
regular methods of taking all the fish in
their power, whichsthey salt and dry for
future use. While not sportsmanlike, it
was decidedly interesting.
They first select suitable hole with fish
enough to be an object. In this case it was
about 200 yards long, 80 feet wide, and
varying in depth to 10 feet. At the bottom
iazly swimming around, were a number of
Dig f1Sh. From sack Johnnie produced
two light gill nets, which were stretched
across the stream about forty yards apart.
Then he produced the tips of a spear, which
were bound to a strong willow pole. These
tips when thrust in a fish come off the pole,
but are held by buokskin strips. Now we
are ready for business. Rocks are
thrown into the water, and the startled
hsh dart about, and in a moment the
under the water Tire fish writhes and
twists, tangling himself up hopelessly, and
Is soon taken out by his dusky captors.
Sometimes heavy fish would break the net
and escape, but not often. After number
mad been caught this way the frightened
hsh hid under the rocks and sulked. Then
the spear came into play, several being
taken. On receiving the barbs they would
struggle violently, and being hauled out by
main strength and awkwardness would
make good fight.
Most OF the big fish had now taken refuge
under large rocks in the deepest part, and
We're clear out Of sight. Then one of the
indians stripped off, and with a small net
10 inches in diameter, in the mouth of
Which was bent willow pole, making it
resemble the ordinary landing net, he
slipped quietly into the almost freezing
cod water and disappeared under large
rock. held my breath in amazement, and
after he had been underneath nearly a
minute | concluded he had drowned. But
no; away down dark mass came slowly
out and quickly rose TO the surface. With
snort his head popped up, while in the net
under his arm 12-pound fish was strug-
snhg' lie crawled out shivering, and after
sun bath was ready for another plunge.
Along the bank for 80 feet was a shelving
rock under which several fish had taken
refuge. Propelling himself along frog
iIashlon, the Indian cleared it out at one
olve, catching one fish and driving out the
Thus they kept at work until. after about