The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-08-11
States Fish and Oysters.


The steamer Mascot, chartered by
the fish commission, and with Deputy
Fish Commissioner A. d. Boardman
aboard, is patroling the drift grounds
near Point Roberts looking for Cana
dian poachers. The boat has just
been put to work, succeeding a vessel
representing the United States COM
mission. The federal boats were with
drawn and the state fish commissioner
undertook to supply the deficiency.
The Mascot is boat owneI by the
Canadian-American Fishing company.
She has just been assigned to duty by
the fish commissioner and will remain
at the point until the poachers are
driven off or the run closes.
Canadian fishermen have been find
ing fishing on their side of the line de-
cidedly unremuneratlve and have been
gradually working across into Ameri-
can territory. American fishermen
protested, and as fast as the officials
have been able to catch the Canadians
in American waters, they have been
arrested. The boats and fishing gear
are confiscated and the fishermen are
sent home.
: During the past few days the run of
sockeye salmon has been better and
fishermen are entertaining hopes the
run may be kept up, The fear was
general few days ago that the sock
eye run had subsidized and nothing was
left but the humpbacks. This was ap-
parently without foundation.
The humpback salmon are expected
to begin running in large numbers
within short time. The run of
"numples" this year is expected to be
larger than it has been known for some
time. There is an unconirmed rumor
the Gamers intend to can the hump
backs this season. The humpbacks
are as good fish as almost any other
variety, but they do not hold their color
when canned. Outside buyers will not
take the humples readily. For smoked
salmon and fresh fish purposes, they
fird a ready sale.
Fish Commissioners Little returned
last night from visit to Patterson,
formerly Dogfish bay, where he had
gone to investigate the condition of
the oyster beds of the state. Several
years ago the natural oyster beds of
Dogfsh bay were the best on the
Sound, but the beds have not received
proper care. The oysters have been
taken out and the beds have been al
lowed to become covered with mussels,
and the few remaining oysters were
destroyed. Private enterprise will
have to clean the beds.
Some of the Patterson bay land has
been taken as tide lands and as the
new owners seem inclined to under
take the work of cleaning the beds and
restoring them, the fish commissioner
will propably allow their title to stand
without attack, believing it best for
the oyster industry to do so.
The cultivated beds at Oyster bay,
the best on the coast, are the most inn
portant oyster beds OF the state. The
n ,turai beds on North bay are prob
ably the only good natural beds left,
and 'hese are being rapidly depleted.
w, rk on the new fish hatcheries is
progressing rapidly. The hatchery at
Wenatchee will be completed about
August ] !, and will begin fishing about
September /. The cycling station at
the Kalainr hatchery has been COM
pleted and sill be ready for work as
soon as the pumping plant is installed.
Ws'rk is begin within few DAYS
on the Wi.i river hatchery aud the
construction Of the Skokomish and
Wlilapa river hatcheries will follow
later. TIL, sites have been selected
aud the luln 'er is on the ground. The
Nooksack hatchery will be completed
in a few weeks. Fishing at all save
the Wcnatcl.ec hatchery will not COM
mence until late in Superintendent
ger.