The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-02-16
QUEER SALMON FISHING.


Finny Tribe In Alaska.
The ruiz OF salmon in the rivers of
Arctic Alaska takes place from the
middle Of July until the middle of
August or the first day of September.
and is of greater extent than anyone
can conceive who has not seen it. As
natural consequence ''isherman's luck"
Is very different thing there than in
the fished-out streams of New England.
first heard of the magnitude of these
RUS of salmon while our vessel lay at
harbor on the coast Of Alaska, less than
one hundred miles below Boring
straits, says writer.
1t was the first week in July, and
only stray fnny forerunner was now
and then caught by the natives These
fish were mostly of three or four pounds
weight and their flesh was almost
white. But they were fish and large
ones too, in the sight of one who had
only fished in New England streams, so
was seized with desire to go a-6shing.
was preparing for the trip in the
old regulation style and with the usual
outfit, when the captain of our vessel
suggested that wait a few days until
the run Of fish had fairly begun. Then
we would take our native interpreter,
Ungurula, and have q genuine Eskimo
fishing party. This was q much more
satisfactory arrangement than any
thing could plan, for knew nothing
about the country or the habits OF the
Msh rs had never been salmon fishing,
so rgladly dropped all my plans for
this new one.
Each day the weather grew warmer,
and with the increasing warmth came
more and larger and higher colored sal
mon, until about the 18th, when it
seemed as though hood-gates of num-
berless fish ponds had been opened and
the fish turned loose by millions
''This looks as though we might have
some luck" said the captain as we
watched the myriads of fish passing our
vessel "Guess we will have to go fish
ing tomorrow" announced the captain.
We told Ungurula OF our plan and
asked him to get everything ready to
catch the fish, while the steward was
directed to make ready the most neces-
sary part of the baggage, the lunch
basket
Ungurula was delighted at the pros
pect, and Immediately set to work to
prepare the tackle" which was the
most simple and peculiar outfit for a
fishing trip ever saw. The captain
told me we would let the guide do all
the fishing. As there was little prepa-
ration necessary on my part, l had
plenty of time to watch Ungurula.
He first got board some five or six
feet long and about eight inches wide.
He cut handle at one end so that the
board could be held easily and firmly
by both hands The carpenter was
then called upon and his supply of nails
inspected About ten long wire spikes
were picked out-the largest that could
be found-and these were driven
through the board at regular intervals
from the end almost down to the
handle. and their long, sharp points
extended at least four inches from the
under side of the board.
''How many pish?" inquired Ungu-
rula of the captain as they examined
These natives cannot pronounce the
letter +.
80, so many" said tho captain, as
he opened and closed his fingers three
times. indicating thirty fishes.
"All right" said Ungurula; ''me
ready"
asked no questions, but waited for
| Ill., ~ nw lat xha ~ <ht-..o
This was the season Of the midnight
sun, and with continuous daylight we
could make our start at any time. The
change of the early morning watch was
| the most convenient time, and at four
o'clock the starboard quarter boat was
lowered away. and with four strong
men at the oars our whale boat was
soon gliding swiftly toward the head OF
the port with the long, steady pull oil
sailors on u whaling vessel. 1t was
several miles up, but under the steady
stroke of the oars we were soon on the
river and assembled it two or three
miles.
Ungurula was In charge of the expe-
| dition, and at his word we landed at a
| fork in the river and hauled the boat
we'll up on the beach. We then walked
about one hundred feet up the smaller
stream to spot where the water was
quite shallow.
Such sight as VIC saw there is be-
yond description We had seen what
seemed like millions of fish as we came
up the river. But here the water was
fairly alive with them. II seemed as
though the fish would fairly push each
other out OF the water in their struggle
TO go upstream Literally, the water
was struggling mass Of salmon of al
sizes.
There was nothing poetic or effusive
about Ungurula The sight was M
old story to him, and he was too in
tensely practical to have anything in
mind beyond the capture # thirty
good, fat king salmon for the ''cap'n.
He took OF his boots, stockings and
trousers; then, with the mysterious
board in hand. began the fishing. L
was very evident we were to have de
gree of fishermans luck that would
make any hshermans heart burst will
gladness. But the question in mint
was: How was IL 10 be done?
Ungurula soon explained IT, Walk
| ing out into the stream to "A depth o.