The Alaska sourdough. [volume] (Douglas, Alaska) 1911-1911, 1911-10-24

port was made by the last named sc;en
fist and Edmund Lee Goldsborougn
Their descriptions of the specie of
salmon are enlightening.
The red salmon, called also red fish.
sockeye, and blue black salmon, is
commercially by far the most valuable
in Alaska, constituting sixty-five per
cent. of the entire pack and seventy
per cent, of the value. It is Of wide
distribution, ranging from southern
Oregon to Bering sea. The Columbia
is the most southern river in which this
species is known to run in any num-
bers The red salmon is said to ascend
the Yukon at least to Caribou Crossing,
and occurs also on the Asiatic side 1t
is the neatest and most symmetrical Of
the salmon In the sea, or when fresh
run, it is clear sky blue on the back and
upper part of the sides, shading to q
clear silver white below. Soon after en-
tering the river for the purpose Of
spawning the color of the head changes
to rich olive, the back and sides to
crimson and finally to dark blood red,
richest in the males. In size the red
salmon ranks third among the five Paci-
fc species of the genus
The king salmon, chinook, or Quin-
nat salmon, is called by the natives the
tyee, which means king. Among the
Russians it is called tschavetche or
tschawytscha.
1t is a salmon Of wide distribution.
1t is found on both coasts of the Paci-
ic from Monterey bay and China
northward to the Arctic ocean, ascend
ing all large streams. The principal
river in southeast Alaska nto which the
king salmon run is the Taku. In Cop
per river and large streams tributary
to Cook inlet there is a considerable
run of king salmon. 1t is said that this
fish can be taken by trolling any month
of the year about Admiralty island, par
ticularly in the vicinity of Killisnoo.
Usually the king salmon make their APP
pearance at the time Of the run of tn
herring, upon which they largely feed,
and they also follow up the smelt. Their
size is immense, individual fish weigh
ing ninety pounds and more being on
record. A curious fact regarding the
color Of the flesh has been noticed-be-
ing red in some, in others white, about
forty-two per cent, of Alaska king be-
ing white meated In southeast Alaska
they are taken chiefly by trolling. The
king salmon is least abundant of the
five species found in Alask and ranks,
therefore, lowest commercially.
The coho or silver salmon is common
in southeast Alaska and as far north at
least as Karluk As food fish the coho
occupies high rank. The flesh is less
firm than that of the red salmon and the
scales fall off more readily when the
fish is handled, and it is paler in color,
not possessing the deep red hue of the
red salmon and the choice chinook. The
flavor Of the fish, however, is excel
lent and only the pale color keeps it
from ranking with the best The can
ners usually bay to the fishermen the
same price for the cohoes that they pay
for reds. Commercially, the coho is at
present, next to the king, the least i'm.
portant of the five species.
The pink or humpback salmon is the
most abundant salmon in Alask an wa
ters. It exists in millions, swarming
everywhere along the shores and in wa
ters near the sea--in streams, brooks,
lakes, .swamps and brackish lagoons, in
fact, in all places where fresh water,
however little, may be found The
humpback is the smallest Of Che five
species Of Pacific coast salmon. It is
known to the Russians as gorbuscha
and to the trade as pink salmon.
It's flesh is pale or pink in color, less
firm in texture, and with less Of the