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Columbia. Some writers say they are the same fish, 
others claim distinction, but they are both very fine, and 
that the canneries have acquired a prominent industry in 
the territory, none will dispute. 
Of Alaska salmon there are five prominent varieties, 
each with special points of favor among the natives. 
The Krnc Satmon is the finest of all in flavor but its 
color is not so beautifully tempting as that of some other 
varieties. Its average weight is twentv pounds, though 
some have been known to attain a weight of seventy- 
five or eighty pounds. The king salmon is claimed to be 
the identical Columbia River salmon, whose repute is 
world wide, and which grow to an enormous size. I 
have seen specimens along the Columbia River at the 
canneries, which weighed about eighty pounds and look- 
ed as large as an ordinary sized man. 
In Alaska, salmon fishing and packing has not attained 
very great commercial importance as yet, because this 
fish runs most numerously in the Yokon River, and its 
tributaries, which are so distant. from the markets as to 
make the expense too great for the undertaking, No 
doubt an early day there will be canneries established 
and good modes of transfer furnished to ambitious mer- 
chants; and when the Columbia fails to give such vast 
supplies, the Yokon will provide for all deficiencies in 
that quarter. 
During the running season the natives are wild with 
delight ; they feast upon the fresh fish, but do not store 
it as they do some of the families, perhaps because it can- 
not be caught in the great quantities that they are able 
to obtain of the other kinds. The greatest drawback to 
the king salmon for importance in the markets is that it 
is difficult to catch them in large numbers on account of 
the rough waters in which they run. 
The Doc Saumon is a favorite with the natives, who 
make feasts, dance and make gifts to the river Gods who 
permit them to come in such quantities for their delec- 
