The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-07-05
NOVEL METHOD OF FISHING.
How Northwestern Indians Catch Trout
and Salmon by Diving.

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 filled with salmon or salmon
trout, ranging from five to twelve
pounds. How | did ache for my split
bamboo, which l 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 big fellows, but he cap
tured nice lot of the smaller ones,
ranging from half pound down. He
stopped when he had enough, but 1
verify believe 500 could be easily taken
in day by the industrious and un-
scrupulous 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. which they
salt and fry for future use. While not
sportsmanlike, it was decidedly inter-
esting.
They first select suitable hole with
fish enough to be an object. In this
ease it was about 200 yards long, thirty
feet wide, and varying in depth to ten
feet. At the bottom lazily swimming
around were number of big fish
From a sack Johnny produced two
light gill nets, which were stretched
across the stream about forty yards
apart. Then he produced the tips of
spear. which were bound to a strong
willow pole. These tips, when thrust
into a fish, come off the pole, but are
held by buckskin strips. Now we are
ready for business. Rocks are thrown
into the water and the startled fish dart
about, and in moment the floats of
net are jerked violently under the
water. The fish writhes and twists,
'tangling himself up hopelessly, and is
soon taken out by his dusky captors.
Sometimes a heavy fish would break
the net and escape, but not often. At
ter number had been caught this way,
the frightened fish hid under the rocks
and skulked. Then the spear came
into play, several being taken. On re-
ceiving 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 were clear out of sight Then
one of the Indians stripped off, and
with a small net eighteen inches in di-
ameter, in the mouth of which was
bent willow pole, making it resem-
bic the ordinary landing net, he slipped
quietly into the almost freezing cold
water and disappeared under large
rock. / held my breath in amaze
ment, and after he had been under
meath nearly a minute | concluded he
had drowned. But no: away down a
dark mass came slowly out and quickly
rose to surface. With a snort his head
popped up, while in the net under his
arm atwelve-pOundf fish was struggling.
He crawled out shivering, and after
sun bath was ready foranother plunge.
Along the bank for thirty feet was
shelving rock under which several fish
had taken refuge. Propelling himself
along frog fashion, the Indian cleared
it out at one dive, catching one fish and
driving out the rest.
Thus they kept at work, until, after
about three hours work, not fish was
left in the hole that would weigh as
much as pound. They caught about
400 pounds of fresh fish on this trip.
During the height of the fishing sea-
son the Indians from the reservation
visit this stream by tribes, and for
miles entirely clear the river of fish
They are also quite expert with hook
and line, using venison for bait. Mr..
Steiger presented one of them with a
number of handsome fly hooks He
looked at them in comical way, then
took out his knife and deliberately
trimmed the fly off, saying that he
didn't care forany of those new fixin's;
venison was good enough for him for
that. FOREST and Stream