4§2 
AMERICAN FISHES. 
Its average weight does not exceed eight pounds and its extreme weight 
is probably not above fifteen. Its range is from the Columbia River, the 
Yukon and Behring Island to Japan and Kamtchatka. It runs in consider¬ 
able numbers in the Columbia, and in much greater abundance in Frazer 
River, where it is the principal spring Salmon. We have no information 
as to its occurrence in California, or as to its entrance into any of the 
streams south of the Columbia. Like the Quinnat Salmon, it is attracted 
in early spring into all those streams which are fed by the melting snows, 
and into no others. Its run in spring on the Columbia is, so far as we 
know, contemporaneous with that of the Quinnat Salmon. The num¬ 
bers are, however, much less, and I think that its run is over, earlier in 
the fall. On Frazer River it runs with the Quinnat, or a little earlier 
in the spring, the run mostly ceasing in midsummer, while that of the 
Quinnat continues on through the fall months. This species and the 
Quinnat run early and go far up the streams, where, after spawning, 
they all die. In Puget Sound this species is not known to the fishermen, 
only stray individuals being taken there. It does not accompany the 
Silver Salmon and Dog Salmon in their ascent of the Dwamish, Puyallup 
and other small streams ; neither is it caught near the shore when out of 
the spawning season, as the other species are. In Alaska and Kamt¬ 
chatka we are told that the Red-fish ( nerka ) and King Salmon ( chawycha ) 
run in spring and early summer, while the other species run in late sum¬ 
mer and fall, the Silver Salmon last. 
The Blue-back is the most graceful of the Salmons and the most elegant 
in color. Its flesh is very similar to that of the Quinnat, but less firm 
and more watery, and it is not quite so rich when canned, though in 
favor because of its red color. Next to the Quinnat, it is the most 
