Fisheries of River Twine Holt
Fishing key code: SJ = Spear/Javelin, N = Net, DN = Dip Net, FT = Fish Trap, FH = Fish Hook on a line.
Fish are a year-around staple for the elves of the River Twine Holt. Seasonal runs of spawning salmon, trout and candlefish provide annual bounties which elves have learned to take full advantage of, while fishers ply the local rivers, lakes and streams year-around for freshly caught fish in a variety of sizes, types, and flavors. Many elves fish all year around, and there are also times when the entire tribe gathers to bring in the catch.
There are as many different ways to fish in the rivers and streams of the River Twine Holt as there are species of fish to be caught, or elves to catch them. The tribe uses a number of methods of fishing, from a simple baited hook at the end of a line suspended from a willow branch, to an elaborately stone weir in the Braided River near the Holt itself, a structure which has been maintained by rockshapers for centuries. The elves craft fishing spears out of wood and bone; build dip-nets and scoop-nets from supple branches and sinew, and a variety of basket traps out of wood and twine woven from Preserver silk.
The Annual Salmon Catch
Of primary importance to the elves is the annual run of Elder Salmon (King Salmon and Chinook Salmon). There are actually five different runs of salmon migrating up the local rivers and streams, but the first to come each year are the Elder Salmon. These salmon are big (on average 10 to 15 pounds, but very rarely can get as large as 135 lbs – these extremely large ones are usually found very late in the season). The Elders hurl themselves upstream from the ocean through the Braided Rivers and the Holt River to spawn their eggs in the Brownbear, Snowcat and Clickdeer Rivers, north of the Holt. As they flow upstream from Eagle Bay past the Holt, the Elder Salmon are rich in oil, fat and full of energy. While the surging flow of fish can vary in number, they are always countless, and for days at a time, the Braided River is so thick with fish that young elves will dare one another to cross the river on their backs, taking each step without placing a foot on water.
This spawning cycle comes in the early spring, soon after ice has thawed and while game is still winter-lean. The annual return of the Elder Salmon is a cause for celebration for the elves, and the first few nights of the spawning cycle is spent feasting. Every hand is put to work during the annual salmon catch. Most of the adult members of the tribe take turns at the two primary chores -- hauling in fish by the netful, and cleaning the fish which have been caught. Each year, several tons of fish are caught and stored away for later use – not only are the elves caching this bounty for themselves against leaner months to come, but they must also store enough to share with their large pack of wolves. Half of the catch will be air-dried on along the stony beach close to the Holt, and it is often a task for the cubs to chase away ravens, fox, and other scavengers who seek to help themselves to the catch. The Preservers are put to work wrapping up the remainder of the already-cleaned fish, so that later in the year the salmon can be unwrapped and eaten, as fresh as it was the day it was caught. In years past, the elves also eagerly smoked a portion of their catch; however, in more recent decades since the arrival of the Ebea and the Burko-Baha, the elves rarely risk large-scale meat smoking efforts.
The Stone Weir
A submerged stone weir was shaped by Clayshard in the early days of the Holt during a summer of drought, and it has been maintained and reshaped by his skill-heirs over the long centuries since, adding and removing sluiceways and fish ladders as time and the flow of the river has needed.. This overflow dam is less than a half-mile east of the Holt’s hometrees, and the wide pond it has created has long been a favored swimming hole and fishing spot for the Holt since the days of Chieftess Wolfsister. The weir is often shaped in advance of the important Elder Salmon spawning run, so that the high winter water is drained off enough for the elves to safely walk a net through the masses of salmon waiting their turn to leap up and over the stone weir;. The walkway along the top of the weir is a favored spot to stand and spearfish salmon, or later in the season, to use a scoopnet for gathering candlefish. It is also a safe ford across the Holt River. The curve of the river has left a long, rocky shore on the west side of the Holt River, where the elves regularly clean and dry their catches of salmon and candlefish.
TYPES OF FISH:
Candlefish (Eulachon/Hooligan/Smelt) DN,N, FT
The candlefish is a small (at most 10 inch) fish with a blue-silver color that turns to gray-brown at spawning time. The candlefish spends its adult life in the sea, but returns to their the gravelly beaches of their freshwater birth-streams to spawn and die. The candlefish’s flesh is oily and high in fat; in fact, the candlefish is so fat during spawning (with up to 15% of total body weight in fat) that a large portion of the catch each year is not eaten, but dried, strung on a wick, and then burned as a candle. The elves of the Holt not only use the candlefish for illumination, but the fish is also sometimes allowed to ferment and then rendered down for its rich oil, which is easily skimmed and preserved.
Candlefish runs are not clockwork affairs, and while regular late summer runs are common, they are not completely predictable, and sometimes a a full year or two will pass with no candlefish returning to spawn at all. A smaller portion of each catch is dried and smoked for eating – as high in fat as candlefish are, they make an excellent wintertime food. The candlefish run is concentrated on the Rushwater and Bounty rivers, although a smaller number can be found heading upstream up the Holt River as well.
Catfish SJ, N, FH, FT
There is a variety of types of catfish in the waters of the Holt, all of which are identified by the whisker-like barbells around their jaws. Most catfish inhabit shallow, running water (some even inhabit caves – unbeknownst to the elves, this strain of catfish is an important staple for the local trolls).
Cutthroat trout (Sea run cutthroat) SJ, DN, N, FT, FH
While some variations of cutthroat trout are found in the lakes and streams of the Holt year-around, the largest cutthroat species matures at sea and follow salmon runs upriver to spawn and to feed up salmon eggs. These migrating cut-throat can weigh up to 10 lbs., and like all cutthroat, can be identified by the vivid red slash marks under their jaw. Cutthroat trout are aggressive feeders and will hit on almost any type of lure, spinner or fly.
Freshwater Eels: SJ, N, FH, FT
Eels have snake-like bodies and small, sharply pointed heads; they have brown, soft-scaled bodies that shade to yellow along the belly, and often feel slimy to the touch. Eels live in freshwater, but migrate out to sea to breed. They are carnivorous, and subsist on a diet of snails, insect larvae, amphibians, and smaller fish. Eels prefer to hunt at night, and hide in the day among the rocks, mud, or gravel of the river bottom. They are a remarkably hardy fish, able to adapt to low-water conditions, extreme ranges in water temperature, and low oxygen conditions. They have a rubbery consistence, but are prized by some elves as a delicacy. They must be cooked, however; raw eel blood is mildly toxic to elves & wolves (the toxic protein is broken down when cooked or boiled.) Basket traps are a favorite method of catching eel, exploiting the fact that eels like to find hidey holes in which to spend their daylight hours.
Panfish (Bass/Perch) SJ, N, FH, FT
There are a number of freshwater and saltwater bass in the waters of the Holt. Freshwater species include the striped panfish, white panfish, largemouth panfish, smallmouth panfish, spotted panfish, and rock panfish. Among the elves’ favored panfish are the largemouth panfish, which can usually be found in local streams and lakes, close to large submerged logs or rocks. Largemouth panfish can get as big as 20 lbs and are fierce predators who will attack just about anything that moves and which they can get their big mouths around -- they’ve even been known to eat baby ducklings.
Quillback (Quillback Carp) SJ, N, FH, FT
The quillback is a freshwater fish that can resemble the catfish, but has no “whiskers”. They are generally about two feet in size (65 cm) and silvery in color, with large scales and “quill-like” filaments that extend back from its dorsal fin. Quillback prefer to eat insect larvae and other tidbits in the sediment of creeks, rivers and clear lakes; they rarely will bite on baited hooks and are better caught by net or fishing weir.
Sailbacks (Graylings) SJ, N, FH
The sailback is a fish similar in many ways to trout; like the trout, the sailback has a number of subspecies resident in the rivers and streams of the River Twine Holt, but unlike all trout, sailbacks all have a large sail-like dorsal fin. Sailbacks are commonly small fish, but some subspecies have gotten as large as 3 foot in length. They prefer cold running rivers and moderate currents. .
Stoneback Fish (Sturgeon) SJ, FH
A long-lived species who can live for decades, stonebacks are rarely fished for by the elves, but when they are, they make for a team effort, as adult stonebacks can range from 7 -12 feet in length The stoneback is a bottom-feeding fish, which stirs up the sediment of rivers or lakes with its wedge-shaped snout. They are toothless, have sensitive barbels, and eat a variety of foods, including small fish and crustaceans. The roe (eggs) of the female stoneback is considered to be a particular delicacy.
Salmon – SJ, DN, N, FT, FH
There are five “runs” of salmon each year. All salmon have 300 degree vision – they can see in all directions, except for directly behind them. Elder Salmon are the largest and most numerous of the salmon, and their pink flesh is soft and considered the best eating of all fish, and their roe is savored by the elves as well. Elder Salmon have the first spring spawning run, and are the central staple fish of the elves’ diet.
The next salmon run to follow after the Elder are the Blood (Sockeye/Red) Salmon. This run is mostly concentrated on the Rushwater River, and moves up to spawning grounds on the Bounty River. These fish average from 5 to 8 pounds, and sometimes get as large as 15 pounds. Their skin turns a vivid blood red during their spawning run, which is during the late spring and can run through the late summer (they’re also notable for their bulging eyes during this time). This fish’s flesh is a deep red hue, and is less oily than the Elder Salmon. Considered by the elves to be excellent for smoking.
Humpbacks (Pink Salmon) have their spawning run during the summer months. They are generally 5 to 12 pounds in size, and both male and females develop pronounced humps when spawning. They travel up the Holt River and on up the Bounty River for their spawning grounds.
Silver Salmon (Coho/Silver) are not as big as Elder Salmon, but their meat is of the next-best quality. They range in size from an average of 6 to 12 lbs., and rare individuals can weigh in at over 30 pounds. Silver salmon and are distinguished by their silvery skin. They run in the late summer and early fall, and unlike the Elder Salmon, spawn locally in the coastal streams and creeks.off of the Braided River, rather than surging upstream for northern spawning grounds.
Chums (Dog/Chum Salmon) are the last of the five types of salmon to make their spawning runs, and are found in the autumn. They are the least preferred type for eating, and are often used as bait. Chum average from 10 to 15 pounds in size, have a very light-colored flesh, and very little oil. Male chum develop very large teeth during spawning, which somewhat resemble canine teeth. They are commonly found both in the Braided Rivers and the Holt River during their run.
Sawtooth (Pike) SJ, N, FH
Also called “pike”, the sawtooth fish has an elongated body and head, with a broat flat snout that is shaped somewhat like a duck bill. The jaws, roof of the mouth, tongue, and gillrakers are armed with numerous sharp teeth which are being constantly replaced. The sawtooth are large fish, who can grow as big as 6 feet and 70+ lbs. They are voracious hunters that will strike at almost anything. The meat is very tasty but is littered with thousands of tiny bones, so this fish must be carefully de-boned before eating. The bones are so thin that they aren’t much use for anything other than a toothpick or threading needle.
Trout SJ, N, FH
There are a variety of trout subspecies in the rivers, streams, and lakes of the River Twine Holt. These subspecies include silver trout, rainbow trout, foxred trout, lake trout, cutthroat trout, stream trout, yellowtail trout, and brown trout. All of these subspecies vary in size and coloration, but as a general rule, trout run between (x) and (x) in size. Trout have no spines in their fins and while they are considered very tasty, they’re also very boney, and care must be taken to remove those bones before eating. When fished with a hook and line, trout can put up quite a fight. While they are fished year-around, some species of trout, such as a cutthroat, do have seasonal spawning runs similar to salmon.
Whitefish SJ, DN, N, FT, FH
Whitefish are a freshwater fish similar in size and appearance to salmon. They are generally olive green to blue-black with silvery sides, with a small mouth below a rounded snout, and a deeply forked tail. The meat of a whitefish is white and very flavourful. Whitefish are found in lakes, as they prefer deep, cool water.
NOTEWORTH NON-FISHIES:
Clams and Longclams (Mussels)
Although technically differing species, the elves call all freshwater and saltwater bivalve clams the same thing – “clams.” They call all freshwater and marine mussels “longclams.” There are freshwater clams and longclams inhabiting all of the local lakes, rivers and creeks. Many of these species live attached to rocks, but others are more mobile. Clams and longclams can be eaten raw, or smoked, boiled, or steamed; freshwater clams and longclams are generally bland; marine varieties are much preferred and are more flavorful. Freshwater varieties of both clams and longclams sometimes produce pearls, although finding a freshwater pearl is a rare event, and rarely of a size to be crafted into jewelry.
Crawfish (Crayfish)
The crawfish (or sometimes “scooter” or “mudbug”) is a freshwater crustacean that resembles a very small lobster. They are found in bodies of freshwater that does not freeze to the bottom during winter, usually brooks and streams that always run fresh and which offer enough shelter from predators. .They are scavengers who delight in carrion, and they moult their exoskeleton throughout their life cycle. Only a small portion of the crawfish is edible, but they are quite tasty, either raw or boiled.
