PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES 415 



The humpback occurs in varying abundance in the waters of 

 British Columbia, but it is in the waters of southeast Alaska that it 

 appears in its greatest abundance. Many of the canneries in this 

 region and some of those operating in central Alaska depend mainly 

 upon the humpback for their season's pack, and the canned product 

 now occupies an excellent position in the markets of the world. 

 The fish spawn in nearly all of the small, short streams. 



In western Alaska the runs are much smaller and the humpback 

 is not much sought after by the cannery men, who are usually able 

 to fill their cans with the more valuable species. 



In southeast Alaska the run begins in June and continues until 

 September. In western Alaska the period is somewhat shorter. In 

 Puget Sound it continues until late in the fall, although but few are 

 taken after September 15. 



CHUM OR KETA SALMON 



The chum or keta salmon {0. keta) reaches a maximum weight of 

 16 pounds, the average being about 8 pounds. When it first appears 

 along the coast it is dnty silvery, immaculate or sprinkled with small 

 black specks, the fins dusky, the sides with faint traces of gridironUke 

 bars. Later in the season the male is brick red or blackish, and its 

 jaws are greatly distorted. Its flesh is light yellow, especially when 

 canned. It is especially good for freezing, salting, and smoking. 



This species has a wide distribution. It is found as far south as 

 San Lorenzo River, Santa Cruz County, Calif., but is not utilized 

 commercially in California except on Eel River. It is found in most 

 of the coastal streams from here north, being especially abundant 

 from Puget Sound northward to southeast Alaska, both inclusive. 

 In this region it is being utilized in greater abundance each year, as the 

 market for it widens. 



In central, western, and arctic Alaska the species occurs in varying 

 abundance, but it is utilized sparingly, except by the natives, with 

 whom it is the favorite species dried for winter food for their dogs. 



The run of chum salmon comes later than that of any other species 

 except the coho. In Alaska it begins in June, but the height of the 

 season does not occur until late in August or early in September, and 

 fish are found as late as November. In Puget Sound they run from 

 about the middle of August till late in November, and practically 

 the same is true in the Columbia River. 



STEELHEAD TROUT 



The steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) is commonly classed as one 

 of the salmons by the fishermen of the Pacific coast, and it has been 

 included in this report on this account. It is said to have received its 

 common name from the hardness of the skull, several blows of the 

 club being required to kill the salmon when taken into the boat. 

 In different localities the average weight is placed at from 8 to 15 

 pounds, while extreme sizes reach 45 pounds. The excellent quality 

 of its flesh causes it to be highly prized for the fresh and frozen mar- 

 kets, but owing to its pale color only limited quantities are 'canned. 



The principal center of abundance of this species is the Columbia 

 River. It is found from Carmel River, Calif., north to central Alaska, 

 and possibly has an even wider range in Alaska. As a result of 



