54 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



(Even crow is regarded as a delicacy with them J The only 

 thing to be adm'ired about this fish is its determination. It 

 has largely developed "get-there" qualities, and if it meets 

 an obstacle in the stream that it can't leap over, it will try 

 to climb over. Failing in this, it will ram against it with its 

 nose until it kills itself. 



When you open a can of Columbia River Salmon, if you 

 find the meat white, insipid, and tasteless, you may safely 

 conclude that some old martyr of this species furnished the 

 contents. It grows to a weight of twelve pounds, takes the 

 spoon, and makes a determined fight. 



The Quillayute is the smallest of the Salmon. It is found 

 only in the Quillayute River, Clallam County, Washington. 

 It is a short, thick fish, weighing about six pounds. It has 

 never been classified by naturalists. The flesh is well flavored 

 and firm. It also takes the spoon, and affords good sport. 

 On account of the richness of its flesh, the Indians have 

 named it the Oolahan, or Eulachon, after the Candlefish, and 

 no greater compliment could they have paid it, for in their 

 estimation the Candlefish is the most delicious morsel that 

 swims. 



These species of Salmon are of great importance to the 

 white people of the northwest coast. Next to lumbering, 

 the handling of these fishes gives employment to the greatest 

 number of people. A great many Chinese, Indians, and 

 "dagos" are also employed in this industry. An "off-year" 

 in the Salmon run means serious commercial depression in 

 this region, for the failure of the Salmon to come means the 

 locking up of millions of dollars that would otherwise be 

 distributed among the people. 



I shall not here go into minute descriptions of the various 

 canneries, or of their methods of handling the fish. The only 

 allusion I will make is to the method of taking them. 



In the early morning, boat after boat leaves the cannery 

 wharf. These boats arc skiffs twenty feet long, and each is 



