52 



AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



on the Pacific, and often reaches a weight of one hundred 

 pounds. It was formerly very abundant in the Sacramento 

 and Columbia Rivers, but the vast numbers caught and 

 canned yearly have reduced the great schools of these fishes 

 to but a tithe of their former numbers. They are abundant 

 yet in the Frazer River, and in the rivers farther north, and 

 are also caught in Puget Sound, but in limited numbers. 

 They are a beautiful fish, and a gamy one. They take the 

 trolling-spoon in salt water, or a hook, baited with Salmon- 

 roe, in fresh water. 



The Kisutch, or Blue-back Salmon, is the dude among 

 Salmon, and is, next to the Tyee, the most valuable. It has 

 not the rich, firm flesh of the Tyee, but is a delicious fish, 

 and the flesh is of a true Salmon color. It is also a gamy 

 fish, and is even a greater favorite with anglers than the Tyee, 

 as it takes the spoon freely and fights desperately. This fish 

 is known also as Coho. It reaches a weight of over twenty 

 pounds, and it is in great demand with the commercial fisher- 

 men and canners. 



The Nerka is but a rare visitant on Puget Sound, while on 

 the Frazer River it is the principal spring Salmon, sometimes 

 coming with the last run of the Tyee. 



Perhaps one-half of the Salmon exported to England from 

 the canneries of the Frazer were Saw-qui when they sported 

 in that muddy stream. This fish never exceeds twelve or 

 fourteen pounds in weight, and is condemned by anglers. 

 When hooked he makes but little resistance, and comes 

 tamely in. 



The Keta, or Cultus (meaning bad or worthless) Salmon, 

 otherwise known as the Dog Salmon, extends over the entire 

 northern Pacific coast. It is found in every river, every lake, 

 brook and streamlet, slough and ditch, that connect with the 

 rivers that afford water enough for it to swim in, and is even 

 said to be sometimes found floundering overland looking for 

 water. Its flesh is white and worthless, except to the Indians, 



