292 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



island. Several islets and many reefs are disposed nearly across the entrance to the harbor. Between 

 these the tide currents run with great velocity. An abundance of large kelp patches is found in the 

 vicinity. The fish arrive at Attn, from the southwestward, about the 24th of April, though this date 

 varies according to the openness of the season. It is rarely later than the 1st of May. The fish come 

 at first in a straggling manner, and their first appearance is made known by their being caught on hooks 

 while the men are fishing for other kinds. The first comers are usually nearly adult males. They are 

 not fat on arrival, but soon become so from the abundance of small crustaceans that fairly swarm among 

 the patches of seaweed by the 10th of May, and at which time the fish are tolerably numerous. By the 

 10th of June thousands of these fish can be seen in the shallow water (about It to 8 fathoms deep) below. 

 The natives here take considerable quantities of these fish and dry them for use at an early date. They 

 rarely salt them for the reason that, they state, this fish makes the consumer thirsty. When they go to 

 catch them they visit the various localities known to be the haunts of these fish, and by looking beneath 

 the mass of kelp fronds can see them if present; if not, the fish are off in the open water. They then 

 watch every floating piece of detached seaweed. It is constantly turning round and round, like in an 

 eddy of water. The fish are playing with it, and there will be found an abundance. The gaff is quickly 

 thrust into the water, and one is soon struck and brought out. 



I here had opportunity to come to the conclusion that these fish will bite readily at the hook. I saw 

 them jump and struggle to get at the gaff and could feel them strike against it while it was in the water, 

 and at times it was impossible to hold it in position, as the mass of moving fish carried it along with them. 



Any kind of fresh fish may be used as bait on a small cod hook for these fish. A piece of scarlet 

 flannel tied above the hook is good to attract the fish, as they will then bite voraciously. 



With a hook a person can catch the fish as fast as put into the water. With the use of several hooks 

 on one line, several fish may be taken at once. With the gaff the fish are taken in great quantities, equal 

 to all demands. The run lasts at Attn until July 25, after which the fish are spent and slowly disappear 

 from the waters. 



These fish were not known at Attn previous to 1S75. They came unexpectedly and were caught on 

 hooks set for other fish. Since that time the people have had an abundance of them. From my own 

 observations I am led to assert that 51)0 barrels of 200 pounds each can be procured at Attu in the season 

 from June 1 to July 31. At the entrance to Chichagof Harbor is the only known locality at Attu where 

 these fish resort. The natives assert that the coming of these fish was coincident with the disappearance 

 of the sea lion (Eumetopias stelltrh, and those natives maintain that the fish drove the sea lions off — just 

 opposite to my own conclusions, for I think the fish come to those places where they will be least perse- 

 cuted by the sea lions. 



These fish are also reported to be abundant at Kiska Island, between the islands of AtkaandAdak; 

 also between Unalga and Unalaska, and also in the passes between some of the Shumagin Islands. I saw 

 a few individuals in Captains Harbor, Unalaska Island, in the early part of July, 1881. This is the first 

 instance of their occurrence in that locality. They were small in size and of the size which constitutes 

 the upper stratum as spoken of in regard to the disposition of the fish on the spawning grounds of Amlia 

 Pass. 



This fish could be easily taken in great quantities, especially at Amlia Pass and Attu. Some writers 

 of Alaskan affairs have mentioned exorbitant prices paid for a barrel of salted fish of this kind. They can 

 be prepared at a cost of $2 per barrel for the fish at either Attu or Amlia. The cost of the barrel and salt, 

 of course, is to be added. Only the necessary sheds for protecting the barrels from the weather would 

 have to be erected. Native help could be procured at a cost of $1 per day for a man and 50 to 75 cents 

 per day for the women, who can clean the fish as expertly as the men. 



This species appeared at Atka about May 15, 1892, the large ones coming first. Natives stated 

 that the fish are always found in the kelp and that they disappear late in September and early in October. 

 They sometimes come into the harbor even in front of the village. Small ones, half the size of the 

 largest, appear in July. Sea lions killed at various times throughout the winter frequently have their 

 stomachs filled with Atka mackerel; hence it is believed these fish remain about the islands all the 

 year. Captain Lennon found Atka mackerel in stomachs of fur seals taken in Bering Sea in July. They 

 evidently spawn in June. Numerous females examined May 28 wore found with nearly ripe roe, the 

 eggs being about the size of no. 6 shot. 



There is no other fish of tin- Aleutian Islands, whether in salt water or fresh, that is so interesting 

 to the angler as the Atka mackerel. In the first place it is a most beautiful fish, with its alternating 

 broad bands of glossy black and chrome yellow and its trim form; and its game qualities an- of no 

 mean order. It takes the hook readily and makes a good light. The usual method of taking it is by 

 "jigging." On May 28, 1892, the senior author had excellent sport catching these fish near the mouth 

 of the bay at Attu. Three hooks tied together in a bunch won' used, and just above them was tied 

 a piece of white muslin. The line was weighted so that the hooks would descend quickly. When 

 they had reached the bottom, or near it, they would be jerked up and down and the fish, striking at 

 the muslin, would be hooked or would catch the hook in their mouths. The lines would be let down 

 through the kelp in water 15 to 25 feet deep. 



