The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-04
NOW INDIANS FISH FOR SALOON.
Wholesale slaughter at Spawning Time
splendid Trout Fishing.
From yorest aud Sired

While on the headwaters OF the Sacra-
msnto river last wear had several oppoItuDi-
which serves them for food during the
winter, and, In fact. during tho whole year.
Tue indians, not being subject to the pro-
hbitiOn OF the game Laws, are allowed TO take
game at any season OF the year, and they take
the salmon when they are in the river to spawn,
at which time they come in in immense mum
bers. The Indians take tbem by means OF
spears. one OF which 1 measured, and found II
only few inches short OF twenty five feet in
length, and the rno,iits operdndi Is as follows:
he Sacramento near Its head Is very swift,
and IN IT'S passage across different Lodges OF va
riCus degrees ~ sofness II excavates large pools
holes in its bed. each having mall fsll OF It's
hoad AID rIpid beyond. The water in these
hOles.wnlch are often very large, Il comparatively
still. and they make welcome resting PLACES for
the tired salmon, before they attempt the pas
SAGE of the rapid sOOve; they collect In them In
great numbers. the water Is beautifully cold and
clear. and the Dish can be seen crowded together
on the bottom. Inc Indians repair Ia one ol
these holes To the number OF twenty on more,
and nne picture they make AS they stand Ia
position 10 strike when the word is given, nearly
naked. with their brown skin shining, anu eyes
glittering in anticipation Of the sport. Some
station themselves at the rapids ABOVE and be-
low the hole others wade out to an ISOLATED
rock. or a log projecting into the stream. All
hold their spears in readiness, and at grunt
from the leader they commence business. At
age to secure a nsh, which Is detached
from the spear and thrown on the bank,
which become detached from the stock when
they enter tue nSh, aud being attached to tho
smart Oy cOrus. turn nat against the usn SIDE,
and make escape impossible when the salmon Is
pierced through. The Indians proceed silently
with their work. and secure great many nsh
before they escape from the hole Sometimes
three or four hundred are thus speattd out Of
one pool. They are very cautious about making
their preparations 50 as not to frlgnten the 0sh
iii all are ready, ami then TO confuse them 10y
sudden onslaught The nsh are split open aud
dTled In the sun on the bushes, when present a
curious appearance, all hung With the bright red
flesh; they are then slightly smoked and
ducsd to sm all flakes and laid away for future
lA MA At nah li lh.aH
call the females, are carefully saved and died.
and are considered a great dellcacy by the In
dians; but never heard OF white men ealing
them, although | should think that II cooked
while fresh they would be quite palatabs.
Tho trout fishing Of this region was also said
by some Eng, ish lords who were fishing there to
be superior TO anything they had ever seen, each
fly on iignt OF six being taken In one lake as
soon as they touched ths water; and these are
not lake trout, mind YOU, but brook trout or
rather river trout. who enter the ldko through
stream connected with the river The Dolly
Warden trout, a. IL Is called, ON account of tho
large rsd spots along Ito sides, Is also found In
the NCLlouG river, but 1 believe IN no other
stream. This FISH has been until lately Unknown
To ell but the old hunters OF the region, and is
certainly the gan est hsh ever saw, salmon not
excepted. IL weighs from Tour to eight pounds,
and when hooked takes the hook between its
teeth, ike a horse Selling the bit, and makes "A
rush Of sometimes eighty yards IN straight
couise, continuing these spurts until exhausted
They seem to be all Of large size aud are inclined
to De canDib dlistic.