Bibliography Background About KRIS
The Fisheries of Humboldt Bay and Tributary Streams (Salmon Creek, Elk River, Freshwater Creek, Jacoby Creek)
Information compiled by Susie Van Kirk. April, 1998
| Newspaper References Arcata Union (AU) Arcata, 1886-1995 Daily Humboldt Times (DHT) Eureka, 1874-1967 [Times Standard] Daily Times-Telephone (DTT) Eureka, [DHT during 1880s] Ferndale Enterprise (FE) Ferndale, 1878-present Humboldt Standard (HS) Eureka, 1876-1967 Humboldt Times (HT) Eureka, 1854-1967 [Times Standard] Northern Advocate (NA) Blue Lake Advocate, 1888-1969 Weekly Humboldt Times (WHT) Eureka [HT after daily started] Weekly Times-Telephone (WTT) Eureka [weekly HT during 1880s] |
Articles from: 1850-1859 |
1850-1859
HT (31 March 1855) Trout Fishing--Those of our clients, gentlemen of early leisure, boys, etc., who have the time, are devoting it to trout catching. The brooks and creeks emptying into the bay are filled with speckled trout, who readily bite at almost any bait and in consequence our tables are kept well supplied with that most luscious variety of fish.
HT (27 Sept. 1856) Trout Fishing--Those who are fond of this sport possess excellent opportunities in this section to enjoy themselves, as every little creek and rivulet putting into the larger streams or into the Bay, is filled with speckled trout, similar to the New England trout...
HT (17 April 1858) Some gentlemen of this town are forming a club for the purpose of trout fishing, the angling season for these speckled little beauties of the finned tribe having arrived.
HT (15 May 1858) A party of gentlemen, twelve in number, went fishing one day this week to Fresh Water Creek, about three miles below this place, and caught, cleaned, cooked and ate three hundred and eight speckled trout and returned home the same day.
HT (26 June 1858) Fishing Party--On Wednesday of this week, a party of ladies, gentlemen and children made an excursion to Fresh Water Creek, about three miles below this place for the purpose of having a fish fry. An abundance of extras were taken along, a tablecloth was spread on the grounds, and about 2 o'clock a party of seventy, large and small, partook of the rural meal. Near three hundred speckled trout were brought in by the anglers and served up for the occasion. All appeared to enjoy themsevles exceedingly well.
HT (13 Nov. 1858) For the last few days our Bay has been literally alive with Salmon. It is amusing to see them play, bounding several feet out of the water and darting under again as though they had accidently "flipped" out of their natural element.
HT (28 May 1859) Trout--These excellent fish are now quite abundant in the fresh water streams putting into the Bay. Major Hook caught about 80 one day this week out of Elk River.
HT (3 Dec. 1859) Salmon--The sloops on the Bay are now busy in bringing salmon from the fisheries to this place, from whence it is shipped to San Francisco.
1860-1869
HT (28 April 1860) Trout--Speckled trout are plenty in our fresh water streams just now. Several hundred were caught out of Elk river on Monday last.
HT (7 June 1862) Large Trout--Mr. Raymond caught a trout in Elk river near Mr. Edgar's field, measuring twenty-one inches in length and weighing about four pounds.
HT (ll April 1863) Trout--These delicate and delicious fish have made their appearance in our small fresh water brooks...
HT (9 May 1863) Capt. W.H. Fauntleroy of Arcata caught a trout on Saturday last in Jacoby's Creek, which weighed two pounds and three oz. and measured twenty-nine inches. It was a genuine speckled trout, and the largest we ever heard of.
HT (12 Sept. 1863) Salmon--These fish are abundant in our bay just now--being the commencement of the fall run. There is much sport in fishing for them at the entrance with hook and line.
HT (28 May 1864) Trout--Our sanctum was made glad one or two evenings since by the appearance of a fine string of genuine speckled trout, the largest of which weighed one pound and a half...
HT (10 Sept. 1864) Salmon--This delicious fish may now be caught in our Bay. Numbers have already been taken with hook and line. We are under obligation to Capt. Josh Van Zant for a fine large one left at our office a few days since...
HT (22 Sept. 1866) Salmon--Our markets are now supplied with an abundance of this delicious fish.
1870-1879
HT (7 Jan. 1871) A Large Haul--Some parties engaged in fishing on the bay a few days since cast their seine in a school of herring, which was so immense that the seine was not only quickly filled but was so densely packed with the fish that they could not haul it to the shore in the usual manner, and to get it in at all, they had to haul it in from under the fish. Even in doing this several hundred barrels of the herring were hauled on shore. The parties put up seventy-five barrels, while it was estimated that fully two hundred barrels spoiled for lack of facilities to save them.
HT (21 Feb. 1874) Large numbers of excellent fish are now being caught in the bay. We hear it stated that one person has several hundreds of them secured to send below by the steamer.
WHT (15 Aug. 1874) From Thursday's Daily. School of Sardines--A school of sardines about fifteen feet wide passed easterly along the line of wharves on the city yesterday afternoon. The time occupied for the entire school to pass was two hours and forty minutes and it is estimated that it was fully a mile in length. It was the largest school of the smallest sardines that has ever been seen here.
WHT (21 Nov. 1874) From Friday's Daily. Salmon--We are informed by those who profess to know that our bay is swarming with this delectable fish. As a consequence our hotels treat their patrons bounteously.
DHT (2 June 1876) Trout--Everybody goes trouting now-a-days. The streams are reported to be alive with the finny tribe. People can be seen at almost any time, some in wagons, others on horseback and still others making use of a "street and walker" ticket, all pointing for the fishing ground.
HT (16 Dec. 1876) A Good Catch--Mr. Condon was out flounder fishing in the Arcata Bay, and caught two hundred and seven flounders with a hook and line. We believe this is the biggest catch yet made, and we would like to hear from the party who can beat it.
HT (17 March 1877) Curing Fish--The Star is informed that a project is on foot to erect works for the purpose of curing fish by the Aldine process. We cannot see why a venture of this nature could not be made to pay. Humboldt Bay abounds with fish; the salmon, perch, flounder, rock and smelt, mullet, herring and the tiny sardine, all of which, when properly served makes delicate food. The outlay to establish the works would not be very great and those who take the matter in hand would be largely remunerated.
WHT (21 April 1877) From Thursday's Daily. The Largest Trout of the Season--We return our thanks to Geo. Newell for a section of a monster trout caught by him in the North Fork of Elk river on Tuesday. The trout was two feet, seven and a half inches in length and weighed nine and a half pounds. It was covered with the "speckles" peculiar to the mountain trout and was a perfect beauty.
HT (22 Sept. 1877) The flounder season is now at its height and almost every day parties can be seen in boats on the bay catching fish...
HT (10 Nov. 1877) Fresh Fish--The steamer Humboldt took away yesterday sixteen boxes of fresh flounders for the San Francisco market. These boxes contained about three hundred pounds each, aggregating four thousand and eight hundred pounds.
HT (8 Dec. 1877) Fish--There were shipped by the steamer Humboldt yesterday morning thirty-five boxes of flounders, each box on an average weighing 250 pounds, a total of eight-thousand, seven hundred and fifty pounds. Allowing fifty pounds weight for each box, this would leave the weight of fish shipped as 6,000 pounds. From parties who are engaged in the business, we learn that there is a handsome profit realized and there were in the neighborhood of one hundred men out fishing during the past two days.
DHT (21 Nov. 1878) Fishing--Two crews are fishing for salmon and other fish in the bay, using a seine, drawing the same across the channel from the point on the small island opposite the city to the boom. No very large haul has yet been made...
DHT (14 Feb. 1879) Salmon Trout in Markets Again--A few weeks ago the Bulletin directed attention to the violation of the fish law in the matter of salmon trout, which were at the time to be found in every fish stall in the city markets. For some time after the publication of that article, salmon trout did not make its appearance in the markets. Of late they have, however, reappeared. The Sportsman's Club offers, the Bulletin is authorized to state, a reward of $50 for each conviction for violation of the law relative to the preservation of salmon trout to the informer in addition to the one half of the fine imposed which the law allows. The law is being violated extensively in all the streams up the coast, especially in Eel River and those discharging into Humboldt Bay, the fish arriving here in poor condition. In this way the rivers are being cleaned out. The Chief of Police detailed an officer about a year ago to attend to violations of the fish law and he exhibited considerable activity for awhile. It is somewhat noteworthy that he has not been heard from of late.--Bulletin.
1880-1889
FE (1 Feb. 1880) Fish--Mr. J.E. Still of the Willow Brook farm near Salmon Creek has been corresponding with B.B. Redding of Sacramento, Fish Commissioner of California, concerning the stocking of the streams of Humboldt County with food fish. Carp, catfish and other fish have been received in large quantities on this coast but no attention has been paid to this section of the state...By the last steamer, Mr. Still received the first installment, five hundred catfish, which he immediately transferred to the waters of Eel River...Another supply...proposed to be placed in Elk River, Mad River, Bear River and the Mattole.
HT (10 Dec. 1881) Fishing In The Bay--Perch and flounders are very plentiful in the bay and great quantities are caught while the tide is flowing. During the ebb tide the fish do not bite.
HS (3 Jan. 1884) Arcata Letter--...Yesterday morning the small streams running into town were higher than at any time for five years. Salmon three feet long were seen in the Dolly Varden creek where the railroad crosses at B.F. Stern's on the west side of Arcata on K street.
DTT (16 Nov. 1884) At the present time the Bay is full of salmon and fishermen are catching large quantities and shipping them to San Francisco. By the steamer...yesterday there were shipped 103 boxes, the aggregate weight of which was 25 tons...
WTT (26 Dec. 1885) Salmon are reported to be abundant in all the main streams of the county which empty into the ocean or Humboldt bay. It is hardly possible that many have passed the big jam of logs in Elk river...
HT (9 May 1886) Nearly every day large and small parties can be seen hiking out for Elk River to catch trout. There are plenty of fish in the streams now, and some nice strings have been brought in.
HT (14 Oct. 1886) It is stated by fishermen that there is a large quantity of salmon now in the bay, and that they can be seen jumping at any time...
HT (14 Oct. 1886) Immense schools of small herring or sardines have been noticed in the bay for several weeks. Specimens of the fish have been sent east, and it is understood that it is even a better variety than the sardines that are now being put up on the eastern coast. Some parties are talking of starting an establishment on the Bay and canning the fish for the general market.
HT (4 Nov. 1886) Some fine specimens of salmon have been caught in the bay recently.
HT (30 Dec. 1886) Fishermen report that at the present time there are large schools of herring in the bay.
HT (5 May 1887) J. Ferrara, engaged in the fishing business, and who is hauling seines in the bay every day, has brought to his market several fine shad. He informs us that he frequently catches many young fish of the variety above mentioned, but invariably throws them back into the water, preferring them to attain their growth. The bay is pretty well stocked with shad, and in two years more this variety of fish will be found in the market every day of the season.
HT (30 June 1887) It is said that rock cod are becoming numerous in the bay.
HT (21 July 1887) The supply of fish in Humboldt bay, Trinidad bay, and Eel river is said to be unusually poor this season.
AU (6 Aug. 1887) Henry Stern and...Winters went fishing to Jacoby Creek last Friday. Trout? We should say so. They brought back their baskets and pockets full of them.
HT (29 Sept. 1887) The water along the city front yesterday was literally alive with surf fish...
HT (3 Feb. 1888) Fisherman West and his partner made an immense haul of herring with their seine yesterday afternoon, down toward the entrance. They filled their boat and also one they borrowed and they estimate that they lost half of their catch.
HT (1 Nov. 1888) There are quite a number of fishermen catching salmon on the bay, but as they drift during the night with gill nets, very little is seen of them.
A party of fishermen from this city, who went to the mouth of Elk River in the little steamer Alice, Sunday, succeeded in catching three fine salmon with trolling spoons...The fish are in large schools and bite freely on the first of the flood tide.
NA (15 Dec. 1888) Flounder season in Humboldt bay.
AU (12 Jan. 1889) Salmon in great numbers have been finding their way from the bay into Jacoby creek for a week or more past. The fish are in search of spawning grounds, and are being captured by the boat load near the mouth of the creek.
1890-1899
AU (8 Nov. 1890) The trout season closed last Saturday, Nov. 1st, and all fishing in brooks and streams must close until next April. The law in the case reads as follows: Every person who takes, catches or kills any speckled trout, brook, or salmon trout or any variety of trout between the first day of November and the first day of April in the following year is guilty of a misdemeanor.
AU (4 April 1891) At daylight on Wednesday morning every little brook in this vicinity was lined with boys luring the trout. Older people of both sexes went further away to fish in larger streams. The boys caught the most fish as the water is rather high in all save the small brooks for successful angling. Master Reese Wiley caught 80 speckled beauties between daylight and school time in the forenoon.
HT (16 Dec. 1891) Herring Fishing--About three weeks ago the herring began to come up the bay, and there has never been a season when they were found here in greater number, or when the catch has been as large...They swarm around the wharves in great schools of hundreds of barrels...
HT (10 Nov. 1892) Salmon trolling on the bay is good now and several fine fish were caught yesterday...
HT (1 Dec. 1892) Salmon are now coming into the bay in large numbers. At the mouth of Mad river slough yesterday over three tons were caught which were shipped to San Francisco by the steamer Pomona.
FE (10 Feb. 1893) ...a petition is shortly to be circulated in this section asking the supervisors to prohibit the catching of salmon with seines above tide water in all streams of the county...
AU (20 May 1893) Notice has been received by the Humboldt Sporting and Recreation Club that the first shipment of Eastern and German trout will arrive at Arcata on next Friday morning. A committee from the club will meet them here and attend to their distribution in the selected streams.
FE (4 Aug. 1893) The Sporting and Recreation Club of Eureka are to receive 5,000 black bass for the streams of this county from the State Fish Commissioner.
WS (9 Nov. 1893) Enormous catches of fish are recorded each day. The bay is full of salmon and sea trout. Trolling has not as yet proven very profitable.
BLA (1 Dec. 1894) Trout for Elk River--A messenger from the Hoopa hatchery brought down Saturday about four hundred trout of the rainbow and von Behr varieties. They were delivered to the Humboldt sporting club, Eureka, who placed them in Elk river.
BLA (2 Feb. 1895) Cream of County News--The fishermen of the Pioneer Fish Market, Eureka, made the largest single haul of herring Friday evening yet reported on the bay, says the Times. It was reported that there were over two tons of fish in the net. At any rate their boat was unable to carry all of the catch and a large number of the fish were returned to the water.
FE (8 Nov. 1895) Humboldt bay is alive with salmon and large catches are being made daily. One citizen caught ten fish one day and very few came in empty handed. The small fish on which the salmon feed are also present in large schools. The bay is covered with boats. Every man or boy who can beg, borrow or steal a boat and troll are fishing for salmon these days.--Standard.
WS (14 Nov. 1895) The bay was literally covered with boats this forenoon and trolling for salmon was the principal occupation. Almost every man caught a fish, while some caught as high as seven. The boats were so thick that even in a bay of this size, lines became crossed and had to be untangled while profanity reigned supreme.
BLA (18 Jan. 1896) Late Friday night the fishermen of the Pioneer fish market, Eureka, made the largest catch of herring yet known of on Humboldt bay, says the Times. In one haul of the net which had been set in the upper part of the bay, they caught over four tons of these fish, enough to fill two of their boats and to require ten trips of their wagon to carry them to the market...
AU (16 May 1896) Some fine strings of trout were caught this week. A Union man caught six speckled beauties on Tuesday afternoon, four of which measured fourteen inches in length.
AU (22 Aug. 1896) Salmon trolling has commenced on the bay and a number of fine fish have been taken.
BLA (2 Jan. 1897) Herring are now being caught in the bay in large quantities.
AU (4 Sept. 1897) Some fine catches of salmon have been made in Trinidad bay lately...The gamey fish are also being taken in Humboldt bay in large numbers.
BLA (23 Oct. 1897) Trolling for salmon in Humboldt bay is now a favorite sport for the bay people.
FE (5 Nov. 1897) The fishermen for Iverson's fish market in Eureka, says the Times, caught Monday evening in Humboldt entrance 104 salmon, which averaged 40 pounds in weight. The smallest weighed 38 pounds and the largest 50 pounds.
FE (18 March 1898)...during the month of January there were shipped from the county 245,000 pounds of fresh salmon and 17,400 pounds of salt salmon. In addition there were caught for local consumption and shipment 8 tons of herrings, 5 tons of flounders, 2 tons of perch, and about 300 baskets or 7,500 pounds of clams, besides about 6 tons of salt salmon on hand for shipment.--Standard.
FE (11 Oct. 1898) Salmon have made their appearance in Humboldt bay in limited numbers since the last rain. The close season comes to an end Oct. 15th after which time it is expected that fine trolling sport will be enjoyed along the Eureka water front.
FE (18 Oct. 1898) Steelheads are reported to be plentiful in Humboldt bay.
BLA (22 Oct. 1898) The close season for salmon ended at sunset Sunday. Quite a number of sportsmen can be seen most any day on the bay trolling for steelheads. It is reported that very few salmon have appeared in Humboldt bay yet.
BLA (19 Nov. 1898) A fish ladder is being put in at the dam at Falk's mill on Elk river. By this addition the fish will be able to get up the dam into the pond above, thus insuring better sport for the anglers on that part of the stream above the dam.
FE (3 Feb. 1899) This season Humboldt shipped 612,800 lbs of salmon against 780,200 lbs last season...Humboldt's fresh fish shipments last month footed up 92,000 lbs. In January 1898, we shipped 223,400 lbs.
FE (13 June 1899) Deputy State Fish and Game Warden P.W. Matthews, who has been on duty on the Sacramento river, returned on the Pomona, bringing with him 18 striped bass sent by the State Fish Commission for purposes of propagation in Humboldt county and will place them in Elk river near the confluence of the north fork of that stream...six died on voyage...
AU (28 Oct. 1899) Fifty young striped bass have been sent up by the California Fish Commission and turned loose in the waters of Humboldt bay.
1900-1909
AU (5 May 1900) Trout fishing has not been good so far this season. The fact is that residences along the streams have become so numerous and little folks so plentiful that the brooks are well fished out before the season opens.
BLA (1 Sept. 1900) Trolling for salmon in Humboldt bay is now in vogue.
FE (23 April 1901) A Humboldt bay fisherman has caught several striped bass in his net and he reported the fact to Deputy Fish Commissioner Huestis, says the Standard. These splendid fish were planted in the bay some time ago by the State Fish Commission and their appearance in the fisherman's net shows that they are thriving. However, they are still under the protection of the law, and while they may be caught at certain seasons, Deputy Huestis warns fishermen that all bass weighing under one pound are required to be returned to the water and that the possession of such small fry is a misdemeanor.
AU (1 Aug. 1903) Abe Greenwald wears the medal for having caught the big trout of Beith Creek, which has been giving the fishermen so much trouble of late. The big fellow broke a number of lines and hooks but finally met his fate at Abe's hands. The fish was a beauty, measuring twenty inches and weighing exactly two pounds and a half.
FE (14 April 1905) Good catches of trout have been made in Elk river of late. Several fishermen caught 98 in that stream the other day.
FE (20 Nov. 1906) Deputy Fish and Game Commissioner Ernest Schaeffle of the California Fish Commission...recently brought up with him about 75 black bass from Sacramento for planting in this county and has placed them in the freshwater sloughs of the reclaimed marsh land north of Eureka. When they have multiplied in large enough numbers it is planned to distribute the fish through all the freshwater streams in Humboldt.
FE (19 June 1908) W.O. Fassett of the Price Creek hatchery took a lot of trout to the Sequoia Park at Eureka this week where they will be planted in the various streams in the park.
1910-1919
FE (27 Oct. 1911) Many salmon have been taken by trollers in Humboldt bay this week.
FE (28 Oct. 1913) A heavy run of salmon is reported in Humboldt bay.
FE (26 Feb. 1915) The Price Creek Fish Hatchery--[salmon eggs from Eel river and the Mill Creek station on the Sacramento were] liberated in Mad river, Elk river, Jacoby Creek, Freshwater Creek, Eel River and Price Creek...
FE (4 June 1915) Seventy-thousand steelhead fry, the last shipment for distribution in the streams flowing into Humboldt bay, were received Monday afternoon from the Price Creek hatchery for distribution in Elk River. This shipment is the last of 420,000 steelhead to be planted this year in Jacoby Creek, Elk River and Freshwater. About 500,000 salmon fry were received and distributed in the three streams earlier in the spring.--Humboldt Times.
FE (31 Aug. 1915) Salmon trollers in Humboldt bay have been quite successful during the past week.
FE (17 March 1916) Sixty-four thousand salmon fry were released into Freshwater Creek this week. They came from the hatchery at Snow Mountain, Mendocino county. Other shipments have been received this week and will be used to stock streams flowing into Humboldt bay.
FE (13 Nov. 1917) Commercial Fishing on Mendocino Coast to be Big Industry, Fort Bragg--Within the last year a cannery and two mild curing plants have been established at Noyo, Mendocino county, a mile and a half from Fort Bragg, which is the shipping point, and if the proper steps are taken toward securing a navigable entrance to the Noyo river several more plants will be established at this point. There seems to be no question as to the supply of fish, and with a proper harbor for fishing boats, Noyo and vicinity will excel Monterey, particularly for salmon, according to fishermen now in this territory.
Up to within a year ago Noyo was practically unknown in so far as commercial fishing was concerned. Because this territory is new to most fishermen and on account of the poor entrance to the harbor the minimum number of boats there this year was only 100, but upon interviewing fishermen working in these waters it was learned that they all intend to return, and predict that double the number of boats will come for the 1918 season.
Shelter Cove, about forty miles up the coast from Noyo, is a very good fishing ground and a fair shelter for the boats during all weather conditions, except a southeaster. The freight boats carry the fishermen's catch to Noyo and return with provisions, gasoline, etc., and because of these boats plying between the fishing ground and Noyo the fishermen can remain on the fishing ground constantly, or as long as they choose.
F.D. Small and D.C. Urie, both from Tillamook, Oregon, under the firm name of Small & Urie, have invested about $15,000 in a salmon cannery at Noyo and are equipped to handle 550 cases (maximum capacity) of salmon per day. At the present time they employ twenty-five people and could use a much larger force if they could get the fish, but because of the lack of fishing boats this cannery has never run to its full capacity. The run of salmon begins the latter part of June and ends the latter part of August and some 600 to 1000 pounds per boat in a day's fishing is not an unusual catch. This season one boat with two men caught 1490 pounds in a single day's fishing. The price ranges from 6 to 9 cents per pound.
There are also two mild curing plants at Noyo. One, the Columbia Northern Fishing and Packing Co., with F. Klevenhusen of Altoona, Washington, for its president, represents an investment of about $12,000 and has a cold storage capacity of 125 tons. They manufacture their own ice and have a maximum capacity of 1000 tierces per season. This plant does not operate any boats of its own and must depend upon outside fishermen for its supply. The Pacific Mild Cure Company of San Francisco has a plant but its pack was small this season, due mainly to lack of boats.
There were approximately 200 tons of salmon shipped from this territory fresh, beside that which was used by the cannery and the mild curing plants.
FE (21 Feb. 1919) Fort Seward Hatchery Had Busy Season---From the report of the State Fish and Game Commission it is learned that the streams of Humboldt and Trinity counties were stocked with rainbow and steelhead trout fry to the number of 200,000 and 1,000,000 respectively from Fort Seward Hatchery this season. Mad river, tributaries of Humboldt bay, and Eel river and tributaries received most of the fish.
Quinnat salmon eggs received from egg collecting operations on Eel river near Bryan's Rest last fall were hatched at Fort Seward Hatchery, together with shipments of eggs of the same species from Mount Shasta Hatchery, and the resulting fry to the number of 1,000,000 were planted in Mad river, tributaries of Humboldt bay, and Eel river...
FE (13 June 1919) Shelter Cover Salmon Fishing to be Extensive--It is reported that the salmon fishing industry at Shelter Cover promises to be very extensive this year, as it has been found that the salmon fishing beds adjacent to the coast of Shelter Cove are of the best on the California coast, and this year will find between 300 and 400 fishing boats employed there in the industry. Most of these fishing boats will be from Monterey and Black Diamond...
1920-1929
FE (1 July 1921) Many Salmon Being Caught Offshore--Between 50 and 60 tons of salmon were caught Saturday by the Noyo fishermen, this being the record catch of the season.
The best catches were made between Cleone and Ten Mile although boats fishing as far north as Westport and as far south as Albion made fair catches.
The salmon this year are said to be larger and more plentiful than last year. About 15 tons of Saturday's catch was shipped to San Francisco fresh.
Bill Nye is said to have made the largest single handed catch of 1785 pounds, and there were many boats which brought in over 1000 pounds each.
Figuring on a basis of 7 cents per pound, Saturday's catch netted the fishermen at least $7000.--Fort Bragg Advocate.
FE (9 Sept. 1921) Two Million Pounds of Salmon Caught Offshore--Approximately 2,000,000 pounds of salmon were caught by the Noyo off-shore fishing industry this year.
As a whole, the catch was considerably below that of last year. The season opened up strong and some record catches were made during the month of June. High winds practically stopped fishing in July and the catch in August was light.
Of the total, 500 casks weighing 825 pounds each were mild cured, 1000 cases were canned and the remainder shipped to the San Francisco fresh fish market.
A disappointing feature of this year's catch is that nearly 60 percent was small fish, most of which were sold on the fresh fish market at a low figure. Last year only about 30 percent of the catch ran to small fish.
Another peculiar feature is that comparatively few fish were taken at Shelter Cover this season as compared to a big run there last year.
At the height of the season there were about 500 boats engaged in fishing out of Noyo.--Fort Bragg Advocate.
FE (28 April 1922) Are Stocking Streams of Northern Humboldt--The Humboldt Fish and Game Association has received 200,000 Quinnat salmon from the Fort Seward hatchery which will be released for anglers in Freshwater, Salmon Creek, Jacoby Creek, Elk River and Ryans Slough.
AU (4 May 1922) Monday, May 1st, being a holiday, the local anglers were out in force and every small creek in the vicinity of Arcata was visited and a number of limit catches were made...
AU (18 May 1922) Prize Steelhead Taken on Fly in Jacoby Creek--Geo. Unsoeld of A. Brizard, Inc., caused some surprise among our local anglers by taking far up Jacoby Creek on Sunday a fine steelhead 29 inches long and weighing 6 3\4 pounds. The lure used was a No. 12 red ant and the fish put up a game fight before the angler landed him. The fish had a brilliant marking along the sides which caused some discussion as to the classification. If there is any doubt about a steelhead just insert a finger in the fish's mouth and there will be found a double row of teeth running down the central bone or vomer in the upper jaw. A trout has no teeth on the front part of the vomer, which fact alone is enough to bear in mind in the identification of this gamiest of fish.
Mr. Unsoeld is justly proud of his catch and should be as the specimen is the largest fish taken from Jacoby Creek on a fly for a good many years.
AU (3 May 1923) Many Speckled Beauties Taken May 1--The small creeks were invaded on May 1st by many fishermen and the school kids were out in force. Not many limit baskets were taken but nearly all had a string to show. Justin Tinkey, C.J. Dickerson, Ray Lattin, and W.J. Wiley fished Janes Creek and made fine catches...
FE (11 May 1923) About 2,000,000 salmon fry have been planted in the streams of Humboldt county this season, according to announcement by Secretary C.I. Clay of the Humboldt County Fish and Game Association.
FE (1 June 1923) Made $500 Catch of Salmon Tuesday--While en route from Eureka to Fort Bragg Tuesday, Jack Mattson and Alex Lehto, local fishermen, made a record individual catch of salmon.
They had left Eureka on account of the fishermen's strike at that place. They were passing Shelter Cove, when they came across the huge run of early salmon.
The total catch amounted to a little more than five thousand five hundred pounds. Some of the fish weighed as much as 62 pounds.
At the present rate of 9 cents a pound, their day's earnings brought them $500.
A veritable swarm of fishing launches has already left for Shelter Cove in hopes of encountering another run of salmon.--Fort Bragg Advocate.
FE (10 Aug. 1923) A well attended meeting of the Humboldt County Fish and Game Association was held last Tuesday...
Secretary Clay...reported that the Association has planted 3,160,000 fish in the rivers of Humboldt county this season, which is three times the number planted last year and more than ten times the number of any previous year.
HS (18 Jan. 1924) Freshwater, Jan. 18--The spring run of salmon is unusually heavy this year, the last rains swelling the creek, up which large numbers of King and Hook Bill Salmon came last Saturday. Some of the fish weigh 30 and 40 pounds and Freshwater fishermen have been hounding the creeks for the sport of capturing the fish...
FE (25 April 1924) Trout Fry Will be Planted in Humboldt--The fish planting committee of the Humboldt Fish and Game Association met in Eureka Monday evening and completed arrangements for planting trout fry during 1924...
The Humboldt association will receive 150,000 cut-throat trout from the United States Bureau of Fisheries station in Yellowstone Park this summer. Steelhead hatchery has 250,000 rainbow and 250,000 steelhead fry in the troughs for Humboldt county at the present time. It is also expected a large shipment of Lake Tahoe trout will be sent to the Humboldt Fish and Game Association.
HS (7 May 1925) Record Salmon Catch is Made, Humboldt Bay Fishing Fleet, 30,000 salmon weighing approximately 1\2 million pounds, 30 boats fishing.
FE (8 May 1925) Three Years Work of Humboldt Fish & Game Association--...During the past three years the Association has planted 2,051,620 chinook salmon and 3,272,020 trout of the various species in the waters of Humboldt county...
FE (14 May 1926) A fleet of 120 fishing boats is now fishing for salmon outside Humboldt bar and some good catches have been reported.
FE (18 June 1926) Fish Hatchery Needed in County--Frank admission by the Humboldt Fish and Game Association that fishing in the streams of the county has not been particularly good thus far this season, and that many fishermen from other parts of the state have been disappointed should focus attention upon a problem that vitally concerns the county. The repeated declaration that Humboldt affords the "best fishing" in the state has been taken broadly and tolerantly, and interpreted to mean at certain seasons of the year. But the fact remains that despite its many hundreds of miles of trout streams, the county is not yielding a good average of sport, says the Humboldt Standard.
This condition, as the Fish and Game Association points out, can be remedied quickly by the construction of a hatchery for the propagation of cut-throat trout, a variety not planted by the state. With a constant supply available for planting in the streams of the county, fishing could be brought up to a point where every promise can be met, and the fisherman from the outside invited here with the assurance that he will get what he is seeking.
The initial investment may appear to be rather large, but an intensively operated hatchery would soon pay for itself many fold...
FE (25 June 1926) The commercial fishermen operating outside Humboldt bar for salmon are making poor catches these days. There are about 150 boats working out of Eureka and the average catch is about 200 pounds to the boat. It is the general opinion that the salmon are being exterminated by the outside fishing and that the scarcity of fish is now becoming noticeable.
FE (29 April 1927) The commercial fishermen operating out of Humboldt bay have kept their boats idle several days this week, awaiting the outcome of their demands for 14 cents per pound for salmon delivered at the wharves in Eureka to the several buying companies.
FE (16 Dec. 1927) To Plant Large Number of Fish--At a meeting of the Humboldt Fish and Game Association held in Eureka...it was decided to ask the State Fish and Game Association to furnish fish to this county as follows: Steelhead, 1,280,000; rainbow trout, 750,000; black spotted trout, 150,000; cutthroat trout, 150,000...
FE (28 Dec. 1928) That more than a million and a half trout have been planted in the streams of Humboldt county during 1928 was the report made by the Hatchery Committee at the meeting of the board of directors of the Humboldt County Fish and Game Association last Tuesday evening in Eureka.
1930-1939
AU (21 Aug. 1930) Taking advantage of the large number of silverside salmon that are at present in the bay, local sportsmen are taking some record catches with their trolling tackle.
Such a phenomenal run of the small size salmon has not been known on this coast for several years, and throngs of fishermen are trolling Humboldt Bay and the rivers as far north as Crescent City and as far south as Cape Mendocino with unusual luck.
The reason for the large school of the silvers on the local coast, it is said by local sportsmen, [is] due to the billions of small fish about the size of sardines that are at present along the coast and up the rivers as far as the tide water reaches. These fish known as anchovies are slightly longer and bigger than ordinary sardines and are also more round in shape. They have not appeared in this vicinity in such numbers for many years and are no doubt the reason for the attraction of the large schools of salmon which feed on the smaller fish.
Humboldt Bay is, at the present time, literally teeming with the smaller fish and the rivers are also getting their share...
The local sportsmen agree that this immense run of salmon will last as long as the smaller fish are in the bay and rivers and many sportsmen are getting ready to take advantage of the run.
FE (19 June 1931) The salmon fishers of the Eureka port are experiencing a season of good catches off the Humboldt entrance. The good weather, together with a fine run of fish, has made it possible the last few days for the boats engaging in the salmon fishing to make daily catches ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 pounds. Approximately 65 boats are engaging in the fishing.
FE (23 Oct. 1931) Salmon landed at the Eureka docks during the season closing September 15, this year, totaled 1,636,068 pounds, according to reports. This is the heaviest seasonal catch in the history of the region. Fishermen state that runs of salmon off this coast were the greatest seen here in recent years.
FE (2 March 1934) Trout Planting Heaviest in Humboldt--...During 1932 and 1933, 69,649,972 trout fingerlings were released in the streams and lakes of California...
Water conditions regulate the extent of the planting of these hatchery raised fish, and from the 26 state-owned hatcheries the heaviest planting was in Humboldt county where some 5,000,000 fish have been turned loose in the streams and lakes since the end of 1931...
FE (20 April 1934) Prospects of Early Season Fishing Good--According to word received from Gus Peterson (Dynamite Pete) of Arcata, the prospects of good trout fishing around the first of May are excellent in the streams around northern Humboldt...The smaller streams, including Luffenholtz, Mill creek, Widow White, Lindsey creek and the upper part of Elk river are always good opening day for bait fishing..
HS (4 Nov. 1938) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Salmon have been seen in the bay again recently and several parties are planning to try their luck trolling if the week end is calm enough.
HT (3 May 1939)...George Dimmick and Harvey Simpson secured limits of trout at Freshwater.
HS (6 Dec. 1939)..During the past several days many anglers have been making catches at the mouth of Elk river, between the highway and railroad bridges.
1940-1949
HS (4 Oct. 1940) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...In Elk River, below the City water dam, Jack Stewart has been pulling out cut-throat from 6 to 14 inches, according to Harold McBeth.
HS (8 Nov. 1940) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Word just came from Dino Massagli that the run of salmon and steelhead in Elk river is still going, and that fish have been taken above and below the highway.
HS (20 Dec. 1940) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...From Percy Neale at Bohmansson's Drug store came word that trolling on the bay might be a good bet. Information came in that schools of salmon were milling about between F street wharf and Carson's mill. Most us overlook the bay this time of year, when runs are coming in for Freshwater creek and Elk river. Maybe we are missing something.
HS (11 Jan. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--"Where'll We Get 'Em?" ...Elk river and Freshwater creek have been going places and unless heavy rains mess things up, should pay off for bait fishing. Many of us overlook our little streams close by and miss out on some fun, for there are socking big ones in them this time of year...
HS (15 Jan. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Percy Neale brought in a nice limit of cut-throat and half pounders from Freshwater corners, below the schoolhouse, Sunday, while George Winzler landed a hefty steelhead there Saturday.
HS (5 Feb. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Sam [Wells] reported that Freshwater creek has plenty of fish in it, and is in good shape. McBeth brothers stated that Elk river still is going in high. Jack Stewart has brought in three limits from there in the past few days. They also mentioned Freshwater creek as being good.
HS (8 Feb. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...And Bud McBeth tells us that Jack Stewart got another limit out of Elk river and that Freshwater creek is still good...
HS (11 Feb. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Bud McBeth tells us that Elk river was swarming with fish at the old city water works dam Sunday and that Bud Kallio took a limit of pan sized steelhead near there. Others were said to be having success there. Elk river has been a surprise this season. It has had one of the heaviest runs on record. We still have two weeks to get 'em...Percy Neale and Henry Johnstone took limits apiece of cut-throat trout on Freshwater creek Sunday near the schoolhouse and reported that the fish ran to fair size--up to 14 inches--and that a few steelhead have been taken on bait in the upper slough...
HS (19 Feb. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Bud McBeth reported that Elk river has been as good as ever. Jack Stewart took a limit of steelhead on bait in Elk river Sunday.
HS (27 Feb. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Our wardens deserve a good word for the job they are doing at Falk on Elk river. An old dam at that place has prevented steelhead from going upstream. The pool at the dam's base swarmed with steelhead. An ancient fish ladder stood by, unused. So Warden Les Lahr got busy, had the ladder fixed, and the water diverted through it. Now the fish are getting a break and can go upstream to their natural spawning beds.
HS (3 June 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Bud McBeth took twenty trout on Freshwater creek and reported that Jacoby creek is producing some nice creels full.
HS (13 June 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Harry McBeth recently took a 16 incher out of Elk river with a nice juicy worm.
HS (11 July 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Harvey Winter recently tried his luck upstream on Salmon creek above Beatrice and brought in 19 surpringly good-sized trout. That stream is not often fished, and Harvey reported it quite brushy, but well worth the trouble. He went over the old highway bridge to Salmon creek bridge and then turned upstream on the logging road. There was not enough water for spinner casting but worms and salmon eggs got 'em.
HS (24 July 1941) Fish and Game by Chet--Biggest news over the weekend seems to come from our own Humboldt Bay, where some extraordinary catches of salmon are being made. And lo, Paul Pellegrini's name leads all the rest. That man has been out after 'em in a big way, bringing in over a dozen fish whose weight totaled some 200 pounds. All sorts of lures are getting results. The Pal O' Mine plug, a snazzy looking blue-sided fellow that twists and wiggles through the water like a wounded herring seems to be paying off; as well as C.&S. wobblers, Heddon and Pflueger bass plugs and our old friend, the Andy Reekers wobbler, about size 5, silver.
E.C. Yost and Willard Nelson accounted for five, trolling with the C.& S., while Johnny McBride brought in two with a Pal O' Mine.
And Bud McBeth tells us that Bill Newton and Ed Abrahamson hung onto seven Sunday, trolling a Blue Mullet plug.
From Bud McBeth comes news that Vern Lancaster brought in seven cutthroat trout, ranging upwards from one pound weight, taken in Elk river, below the old waterworks dam, Tuesday afternoon. Silverside pale single eggs did the job. There are some husky trout in the tidewater stretch of that stream. You can see them rise now and then, right alongside the highway. One of Vern's catch was estimated 2 1\2 pounds.
HS (22 Aug. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Biggest news of bay fishing comes from Ed Venziano...Ed says that the finest catch of the season was made by the boy genius from the Santa Barbara Military Academy, Herb Bascom, who landed nine beautiful salmon, the biggest weighing 28 pounds. Fresh sardines is what gets them, says Ed.
HS (29 Aug. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Kingfisherman of Humboldt bay seems to be Paul Pellegrini who has brought in a total of 51 salmon thus far. Paul has the best luck trolling sardines deep, but has also hit into plenty of 'em with wobblers.
HS (3 Sept. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Humboldt Bay Salmon...Still going good, the boys tell us. Dick Shuler tied into a 30 pound walloper Monday, trolling a C.&S. wobbler, while Al Santsche brought in a 42 pound giant Sunday. And Bud McBeth reports that Bill Newton and Ed Abrahamson accounted for 16 over the holiday, trolling sardines and plugs on Humboldt Bar.
HS (14 Nov. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Elk river suddenly has come to life. Salmon have been taken trolling at the stream's mouth for several days. Axel Sundquist brought in four Monday and Tuesday, taken on C.&S. wobblers and Starkey spinners and Otto Cortell lost one and landed one, same place. Thursday Ellis Kelly got hold of a 17 pounder just below 101 highway bridge on the third cast and reported Elk river showing activity.
HS (22 Nov. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Humboldt Bay Streams Alive...Big fish are moving up the bay and both Elk river and Freshwater creeks look good. Billy Black hung onto eleven chubs Thursday on Freshwater above the schoolhouse, releasing all but a pair. Bait did the job. And Elk river is swarming with fish below the old waterworks dam, according to George Hindley.
HS (25 Nov. 1941) Fisherman's Luck by Chet--...Harold McBeth tells us that Elk river has produced some fine limits of steelhead and salmon these last few days. Most of the fish were taken between the old waterworks dam and 101 highway...
FE (25 Oct. 1946) Let's Go Fishing--...Commercial fishing out of Humboldt Bay closed October 15 with a total season catch repoarted at approximately 3,000,000 pounds of salmon. Division of the season's catch among the commercial fish companies at Eureka were as follows:
The Tom Lazio Fish Company purchased a total of 622,497 pounds. This included the catch from Crescent City. Practically all of this was either shipped as fresh fish or frozen.
Approximately 710,000 pounds of salmon was handled by the Consolidated Fisheries, Inc. of which 250,000 pounds were mild cured and the rest shipped fresh and frozen.
The Theo Weissich Fish Company handled 511,800 pounds, of which 110,000 was mild cured, 108,000 frozen and 293,000 shipped as fresh fish.
A Paladini, Inc. which has docks at both Eureka and Fields Landing, handled 209,556 pounds. Of this sixty per cent was shipped fresh and frozen, 30 per cent mild cured and about ten per cent smoked.
The New England Fish Company handled 333,315 pounds which was both mild cured and shipped fresh.
The Joe Balestrieri Fish Company handled approximately 500,000 pounds of salmon which was chiefly shipped as fresh and frozen fish.
The Hallmark Fish Company handled about 84,280 pounds of salmon and the NorCal Company at Fields Landing handled about 20,000 pounds.
HT (20 April 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--[regarding opening date of trout season]...Prairie and Redwood creeks, Little river, Mad river and tributaries, the Humboldt Bay streams, the Eel, Van Duzen, Mattole and all their tributaries will open May 29. This later opening date is planned to give young migrating steelhead trout a better chance to get away to sea and grow up to be real wallopers...
HT (3 July 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...All kinds of reports are coming in about salmon in the bay. Hottest recent results were brought in by Cliff Purcell of Eureka, who landed a 28 and an 18 pounder Sunday, and went back Monday to tie into a 25 pounder. Cliff said the big wallopers were in prime shape, and full of vitamins and gimp. So much so, Cliff added, that he and his party lost four they simply couldn't hold onto...And other salmon, running from 12 to 18 pounds, were brought in from the bay over the weekend. Anchovies, trolled no faster than a boat drifts with the tide, turned the trick, according to Cliff. The biggest fish were taken at the bay's mouth out at the jettys end...As the season progresses and more schools of small fish come into the bay, there will be more big salmon in after 'em.
HT (6 July 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Salmon are coming into the bay in earnest to judge from the reports that roll in. David White landed four chinooks, casting off the north jetty. He was using anchovies, Frank Dillon tells us, and his biggest fish weighed 27 pounds. Trolling in the bay and using anchovies for lure, both Jerry Johnson and "Happy Jack" Curry brought in chinooks up to 28 pounds...
HT (10 July 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Milt Yates and better half landed two salmon in the bay last Sunday. One of 'em was a 35 pounder and the other a flush 20...
HT (20 July 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...And salmon are running wild in the bay! Henry Simonson and Tom Maxon brought in six recently, with the biggest scaling 35 pounds! George Dimmick also landed six wallopers in the bay, and Mrs. Milt Yates brought in a pair, weighing 20 and 25 pounds each...
HT (27 July 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--Salmon fishing on Humboldt bay is assuming the proportions of a boom, as the big fish keep coming in apparently without let-up. It's remarkable how quickly news of that kind can spread. We understand they are hurrying all the way from Los Angeles--even by plane--to get here before it's over. With due respect to the chamber of commerce, it looks as if the salmon are putting Eureka on the map. Let's hasten to add that the town is already on the map, plenty, with all the post-war growth that has hit us...
HT (3 Aug. 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Our Humboldt bay salmon run has become statewide news with all the city papers getting excited about it. Seems little doubt but that the bay has stolen the show from the Klamath and Rogue river mouths--can't you hear 'em gnashing their teeth? Funny thing is that perhaps the present run isn't so phenomenal, after all. Every season there have been salmon in Humboldt bay and people have caught them. But because the bay wasn't a river mouth, perhaps it did not seem quite orthodox, or something. We are creatures of habit more than we realize. And then came the great discovery of 1947! And lo, our bay out-Klamaths the Klamath and de-Rogues the Rogue! From now on, Humboldt bay takes its place in the sun.
Dr. Walter Sullivan, Captain C.C. Bayless and Dr. Harry Cagney--all from southern California--have enjoyed some wild-eyed luck on the bay, under the tutelage of Frank Dillon. When the trio left for the north, they left behind them some 188 pounds of dressed salmon to be smoked and canned...
HT (17 Aug. 1947) The number of fishermen claiming commercial licensed residence in Eureka nearly doubled between the years 1945 and 1946...There were 365 commercial fishermen in Eureka in 1944-45, while the number increased to 628 in 1945-46...
FE (29 Aug. 1947) Let's Go Fishing--...Commercial fishermen are doing all right at Humboldt Bay. Figures just released for 1946 show that 20,931,886 pounds of fish were brought into Humboldt Bay by the fishing feet of that port and a value of $1,708,641 was placed on the catch. This exceeds the San Francisco Bay fleet's catch of 17,690,225 pounds for a value of $1,296,200. More than 100 commercial fishing boats are now based at Eureka and will remain there until the close of the salmon fishing season September 15.
HT (6 Sept. 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Back to Humboldt Bay again. Walter and Al Santsche got hold of seven salmon Labor Day on anchovies and said that while most of the fish they took and saw taken were silvers, there were several big chinooks landed. And Frank Dillon tells us that Dr. Everett Hunt and Tanya Spanger brought in three from the bay, with the lady taking high honors with a 34 pound chinook...
HT (21 Sept. 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--Salmon fishing on Humboldt bay seems to be keeping right up, according to Frank Dillon, who cited the case of a group of sportsmen who had been trying their luck on the Klamath. Luck wasn't too hot, so they dropped into Eureka to have a go at the bay...they caught more salmon than they had believed could be done. Last reports were that they were having them canned at the sportsmen's cannery at Broadway and Harris streets, and are converted to Humboldt bay hereafter.
HT (14 Nov. 1947) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--Oscar
Kiskela of Eureka is a sports fisherman who knows his trout and salmon but recently he caught a salmon in Humboldt bay that seemed to defy analysis. It was a small, chunky male, about five pounds weight, and put up a good battle after it had hit on a trolled spinner. The fish was obviously not a "chub," which is a young male or grilse, of the king salmon tribe. And its flesh was almost as white as that of a halibut! What was it? Oscar wanted to know. So we looked up Haig-Brown's excellent text and got the dope.
Oscar's salmon was a genuine specimen of the "humpback" tribe. Those fish are abundant north of the Columbia river, but are comparatively rare this far south. Some of our male silver and "dog" salmon tend to get "humpy" and are miscalled humpbacks hereabouts for that reason. But they aren't the real McCoy--
whereas Oscar's salmon apparently was.
The poor humpbacks get a bum break in life. They spawn and die just before they are two years old--thus having the shortest lifespan of any salmon. Matured fish weigh only from three to six pounds, so Oscar's salmon was about right at five pounds. Also, Haig-Brown says their flesh is usually white instead of pink or red...[he goes on about other species]...
Next comes the well known silver, or cohoe (sic) salmon, which affords us such great sport in the Humboldt and Del Norte streams. These fellows range quite far south--specimens having been reported in Santa Barbara county streams once upon a time, but no longer...
Then comes the dog or "chum" salmon which is found in Humboldt waters, also. They are a four or five year fish, whose weight will run up to ten pounds, and they will hit spinners and flies quite well. These fellows are often mistaken for true humpbacks, which they are not. They spawn near tidewater in the streams. We have often seen them in Freshwater creek, where the males sometimes turn quite red and have hookbill mouths, as do some silvers and kings...
HT (24 Oct. 1948) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Jack [Curry] also said there are salmon in Humboldt bay, but the runs are spotty. Incidentally, a run of silversides was reported at the bay mouth Thursday. And a few have been seen in Carson's channel, pretty well up the bay with rumors of a catch or two.
HT (16 Nov. 1948) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Humboldt bay is fairly hot now, according to several anglers, including Oscar Kiskila, Percy Finley and Bill Spengler, all of whom trolled from about Carson's mill on upstream toward highway 101 bridge. Silvers seem to be running, Oscar stated, for he and Percy bagged three of better than ten pounds, on Starkey spinners...
HT (2 Dec. 1948) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Last minute dope says salmon are in the bay right off the foot of F street, and up as far as highway 101 bridge. We did not learn whether they were silvers or chinook, but did hear there were some hefty chinooks hooked in the bay off Elk river mouth.
HT (4 Feb. 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...At Elk river mouth--where some surprisingly big fish come in--Ray and John McFarland brought in a total of four steelhead last weekend, taken on spinners...
HT (19 Feb. 1949) North Coast Problems Studied by Fish-Game. Arcata, Feb. 18--In one of the most harmonious and productive meetings in their history, the California fish and game commission and local sportsmen got together today at Humboldt State college...
Leo Shapovoalov, supervising biologist and acting chief of the bureau [of fish conservation] discussed the North coast situation in detail.
"Projects are going ahead everywhere now. We're going to remove many barriers and old dams with equipment borrowed from the state division of forestry before the fire season sets in. Among other jobs, we are going to open the Elk river dam at Falk, and replant that stream."
HT (6 March 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Most news seemed to come from Elk river, where several sizable steelhead were taken in tidewater. H.A. "Hap" Pellas of Eureka tied into what apparently was a sea-run cutthroat trout in lower Elk river last Monday--the day the season closed.
While this reporter did not get to see Hap's trout it seemed to be the real thing from his description. "It had a sharper nose than a steelhead, square tail, and it all but jumped into the trees. For an eighteen-inch fish, that one put up a great battle," Hap said. He also added that the trout had quite immature roe in it--meaning it would not have spawned until April or May, which is another cutthroat characteristic.
A Good Sporting Trout. Elk river undoubtedly still has a few native cutthroat trout in its waters. Once upon a time it had plenty. The supply could be replenished by hatchery planting. California hasn't many cutthroat trout left, but Oregon still has enough to spare. And California's division of fish and game can get them from that state, if desired.
This column sincerely believes that desirable species of trout should be propagated in its native waters. If this is not done, it won't be long until they become all but extinct.
Well do we remember back in the mid-1930s landing a large cutthroat trout out of Elk river below the old waterworks dam. It was a sea-run fellow, like Hap's, and silvery colored like a Rainbow-Steelhead. Only it obviously wasn't that species. Green as we were, that was apparent. And the trout put up one whale of a hairy-chested battle. Puzzled, we took it to the late Sam Wells, who knew his trout.
Sam took one look at that streamlined square-tail and grinned. "One of the nicest cutthroats I've seen in some while," he said. "Where did you get it? And what with?"
"Elk river," we replied, "and with salmon roe."
Sam winced a little at the "salmon roe" part, but agreed that the stream was too muddy from heavy rains to use anything else. He also gave us a lecture on fly fishing for cutthroat and what sport it could be. "Use large flies, and red ones," he advised.
When trout season opened that spring, we followed his advice...
HT (22 May 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--Salmon Coming In--Hot news of the week comes from fishing fanatic Hap McNew, out by Redwood Acres. Hap tells us that Ernie Wahlund landed a pair of medium sized salmon Thursday afternoon late at Humboldt Bay entrance. Ernie was using frozen night-fish for bait.
Salmon fishing in Humboldt Bay is fast becoming famous. It is a true natural for these are not spawning fish. They are fresh in from the sea to feed on the small fish that swarm Humboldt Bay from time to time. In other words you are getting true ocean salmon fishing right at home. Late in the year, spawners come in, of course, for the Humboldt Bay streams still have fair salmon runs.
Incidentally, our good friend Steve Smedley of Prairie Creek hatchery planted quite a few thousand young king salmon in Elk river last year. Those fellows will be heard from ere long. And Steve is planning on more of same as soon as possible. There's a man who has the welfare of Humboldt sports fishing at heart.
HT (27 May 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--Salmon are definitely hitting in Humboldt Bay. They've been taken during the present week with plugs, wobblers, and bait. So it looks as if the season is under way. Humboldt Bay is fast becoming noted all over the west for its sports fishing--and a lot of Humboldters are wondering whether the bay can stand up under the pressure of heavy fishing for long.
This column hopes it can, of course, for tourist revenue is always welcome. But we're worrying about the hatchery angle. It seems obvious that the salmon population on the north coast is going down. Hatcheries may not be all the answer but they certainly are a part of it...
Hap McNew tells us that Ray Williams and Russ West landed three salmon at the bay entrance Tuesday. They were using anchovy bait, and their largest fish ran 18 pounds.
And Barney Bernard brought in a 20 pounder Thursday, taken on an Andy Reeker wobbler, size 5, according to Bosco Waters.
A new salmon plug has hit the local market recently and it is wowing them. Tis called the Martin "fireplug"--
Using the fireplug, Pete Oyer, Bob Ricks, George Feeney and Al Fernandes brought in three nice ones from the bay entrance Wednesday. Largest weighed 16 pounds and was landed by Al. And on the same day, using the same type lure, Bing DeBeni hooked a 14 pounder.
Tuesday, Pete Oyler landed a 14 pound silver on a fireplug...A number of other salmon have been reported taken, but the anglers' names were not learned, due to distance between boats...
HT (22 June 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--The Salmon Are Here! They're hitting them in Humboldt bay! Soon after the big wind, the husky chinooks put into the bay, fresh-run from the sea and hungry as wolves. Latest reports agree there are plenty of them--and so, the season is on.
Barney Barnard of restaurant fame and his son landed a 19-pounder Sunday on the bay, and reported to Spiro Angus at Frank Dillon's diggings that "every boat had fish."
And Hap McNew reports that Blaine Milton hooked a 17-pounder Sunday, using a nightfish--and saw three more whoppers taken in nearby boats...
Hap also said Bud Palmrose and Ralph Ferguson caught a 20 and a 28-inch steelhead in Freshwater creek, someways upstream from the end of the road. That isn't the first report that has come in from upper Freshwater. Seems as if quite a few big fish have holed up in there. And they're not spent fish either. They're spring run fellows that will stay in the deep pools until late fall or early winter, at which time they will spawn...
HT (26 June 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--Humboldt bay certainly has stolen the show. About all you hear on the streets in Eureka just now is salmon, salmon and salmon! Our bay is putting other salmon sport fishing places in California out of the picture.
With all this going on, it's a good thing that commercial salmon fishing on the bay is to be stopped...
Hap McNew tells us that Blaine Mellon landed a 35 pound chinook on sardine bait from the bay last Thursday. That's the biggest one so far--and you can bet there are more.
Hap also said that Harvey Larson and Al Disney brought in a 19 pounder, taken in the bay on sardines, while Lee Roth and Merle Warren landed a 20 and a 25 pounder on anchovies, during the week.
And Thursday Dr. Leland Domeyer and Bob Oliveira got five big chinooks, ranging from 21 to 28 pounds on sardines in the bay.
Not to be outdone, Barney Barnard and Ivan Hickman also took five hefty ones out of the bay Thursday according to Anne Dillon. Bait did the trick and the fish averaged 25 pounds.
Anne likewise reports that young Jimmy Goodale landed an 18 1\2 pounder fishing in the bay Sunday last.
So you can see that Humboldt bay is hotter than a firecracker...
HT (3 July 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Flash! Flash! Flash! The hottest news of the week (for the entire summer, we might add) is from Humboldt bay. Friday all boats brought in fish, most of them reporting from two and three up to limits. Best of all they were all wallopers weighing from 16 up to 35 pounds. IT MAY BE THE BIGGEST RUN IN YEARS.
HT (7 July 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Salmon in the Bay...Boats by the flock were back and forth between the jetties and at times you would see two or three people with fish on at one time.
With salmon fishing like that, Humboldt bay is bound to become as famed as the Klamath and Rogue river mouths. We have a natural here that is hard to equal...
Hap McNew reports that Joe Hash and Ernie Wahlund took a pair of silver salmon on the bay Sunday. Those silver or cohoes are great battlers that learp and dash about like steelhead. If any one could devise a fly they would take in salt water, they would be hot stuff.
Hap also said that Floyd Coons brought in a 22-pound chinook from the bay Sunday, while Les Barber...and Lee Tinkham from Los Angeles landed a 20 and a 14--pounder, respectively.
More news from McNew's--Charles Gitting hooked an 18 and a 14-pounder Monday on the bay, using sardines, while Mrs. Gitting got another 14-pounder. And 12-year-old Ray Gitting got hold of a 16 pounder...
HT (9 July 1949) photo of two guys each with a salmon weighing 20 and 23 pounds..."Ninety salmon were reported to have been taken yesterday." More photos of salmon caught on bay.
HT (10 July 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--Apparently this season is going to be the best in many years, judging from results and reports that continue to pour in...
They're getting 'em in the bay. For instance, Anne Dillon got word from W.D. Ludwick that in five days' fishing last week, he connected every trip with chinooks ranging from 18 to 22 pounds. Thursday...Anderson brought in five fine silvers, the largest of which weighed 12 pounds--a great game fish...
HT (12 July 1949) photo of Victor Goss of Mission Beach with 18 and 21 pounders from bay.
HT (15 Julye 1949) photo of Dr. Jos. N.D. Hindley with 15 or so steelhead and salmon; 5 photos of salmon for Eureka Salmon Derby, all out-of-area fishermen, fish weighing 10-26 1\2 pounds.
HT (16 July 1949) Headline--Boats Swarm Over Bay in Eureka Salmon Derby--Gov. Earl Warren fished, biggest fish weighed 32 pound. photo of 30-pounder.
HT (21 July 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--... Commercial fishing for salmon on Humboldt bay soon will be a thing of the past...effective October.
HT (6 Aug. 1949) photo of boy with 38 pounder from bay.
HT (7 Aug. 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...From Hal Jurgens of the new Bucksport Sporting Goods center comes word of the bay. He weighed in a 39-pounder caught by Ernie Stromberg of Arcata; and two 35 pounders...[more people and salmon reported]
HT (11 Aug. 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...Looks more and more like an early season with those runs of silvers coming into the bay, as well as big chinooks...Hal Jurgens says a big school of chinooks hit in Tuesday followed by silvers in such quantity that they were "hitting like machine guns."
Al Corrin of Burbank and Al Lawton of North Hollywood told Hal they never had seen salmon in such quantities as were in the bay entrance Tuesday. Everett Robinson brought in a 36-pounder Monday for high honors, while Roy Fontaine of Freshwater got his limit...
HT (14 Aug. 1949) photo of salmon caught in the bay
HT (14 Aug. 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...All the news from Humboldt bay and Trinidad cove is good. The big chinooks and silvers are closing in as the season advances and everyone reports them in fine shape.
Hap McNew tells us that Gene Moel landed a pair of wallopers in the bay Thursday; while George Miller of the Vance Log Cabin staff got a 26 pounder Friday. George also recently landed a 40, 25, and 15 pounder in one day's fishing on Humboldt Bay!
Pete Oyer reports that Lyle Thornton of Eureka got his limit of three salmon on the bay Thursday as did several others...Needless to say he says the bay is "smoking hot..." [long list of people fishing out of King Salmon resort and their catches]
HT (16 Aug. 1949) photo of 30-pound salmon taken in bay.
HT (18 Aug. 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwarzkopf--...There's a quiet-spoken, modest man in charge of the Prairie Creek hatchery who has been doing a lot of good work since he took over a few years ago. We refer to Steve Smedley...
...One of his pet projects this year was Elk river's salmon and he has planted 155,000 fingerling chinooks in that stream...
Another item: The dam on Elk river at Falk is to be blown out within the next few days. You can thank Captain of Wardens Les Lahr for a lot of good work in getting that job over and thus another barrier to spawning salmon and steelhead will be removed. Winfield Wrigley of the Elk River Lumber company rates a laurel wreath for his kind help and cooperation on the deal.
HT (21 Aug. 1949) Fisherman's Luck by Chet Schwartzkopf--[lots of fishing on bay...letter from Ernie Wilson regarding bay]..."Look, Chet, let's get together one of these days and draw up a suggested set of safety and courtesy rules for Humboldt Bay. It's getting pretty rugged on the bar, what with a hundred or more boats on the drift, and a few thoughtless trollers fouling up the detail. That and speeders and their near swamping of the drifters. There's room for a lot of improvement on this score--but that's an editorial subject and more in your line than mine...
[This was Chet's last Fisherman's Luck column in Humboldt Times]
HT (26 Aug. 1949) photo of two salmon caught on bay, 13 1\2 and 25 pounds.
HT (1 Sept. 1949) photo of many salmon caught on bay.
