QUINNAT SALMON

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1933, Page 6

QUINNAT SALMON

BRITISH COLUMBIA SPORT QUEST OF THE TYEE BUTTON VANCOUVER, July 19. From England and the Continent, from the Far East and South America, sportsirien are already o n the way to seek the tvee, or quinnat salmon, king of'big fish in British waters. A little later, about mid-August, the American* contingent, from New York) Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisoo chiefly; will be moving, in an annual pilgrimage, to the river-mouths oh the northern end of Vancouver Island, facing the mainland. On their way the sportsmen will be talking, in the subdued tones of biggame fishermen, of the tyee button — copper, silver or gold, according as the fish runs from 301 bto 701 bor more —that they hope to take home in the Fall. A Los Angeles doctor holds all three and the tyee record certificate, issued at Cumberland, Coniox Bay, the venue of the experienced angler. From now on every craft afloat is on the look-out for the tyee, but there is a : tradition along the straits and gulf that the fish-wise eye of Captain Nor,drill, of the tug Joyful, spots them first.. Usually, in late July or early August, .-the leaders. of the spawning run arrive' off the river mouth, return irig after their four-year sojourn in the Pacific. It is the first, sport of autumn, followed by blue grouse, deer-stalking, then ducks and pheasants, gees© ante brant.’.Further afield are the. big-game hunters from New York in individual parties each engaging up to a dozen men arid-GO horses for a ten-weeks’; bout with the inonafchs.of the wilderness—moose and the Kodiak bear.

The tyee has many other names, irom the Columbia River to Alaska- —chinook, spring, quinnat or king. But the club award is the tyee button. The tyee is mainly foilncl in Vancouver Island waters. Youngsters from sib to 301 b. may be taken several times of the year beginning iq March and increasing when the herring arrive on the same spawning- quest.'The big fish lie off 1 the river for a few days getting accustomed to fresh water. As the streariis are short they can reach the spanning grounds in a day or two. The same type of fish, entering the mouth of the Columbia, will travel upstream for'looo miles. Club rules specify a rod not less than -6ft. A dozen kinds of Turd are usedbrass, silver, bronze or copper, three to eight inches. The choice hour is at dawn at low slack of tide, rowing miles in circles. Curious that at a stage of life when, the stomach lias ceased to function this fighting fish that draws sportsman half-way round the .earth should lunge at the shining, /Wobbling lure! The; accepted explanation is that his nerves are oil edge as he approaches the spawning ground. To-day Ire will take a .big brass spoon, to-mor-row a small silver one. Or he may pay no attention. It is sweepstake- luck for tyro. or. compleat. angler. .. , v . ,