Eulachon

Eulachon (pronounced hooligan), a type of smelt, are one of the most important fish for the Tlingit people. Its flesh is so rich in oil that it has earned the name candle fish, as they can be dried out and lit like a candle. Although these fish are an important part of the Tlingit's diet, they are more valuable for their rich and nutritious oil. Tlingits would trade with other villages lacking strong eulachon runs, or with tribes in the interior for goods such as copper, obsidian, and fur. These trade routes were known as grease trails.

Dip netting for eulachon

After the eulachon are caught with dip nets, they are rendered by first burying the fish and let them ripen to more readily release the oil from the flesh. After several days to a few weeks the decomposed fish are then added to water and boiled. The purified oil is separated from the remaining bits of fish with a ladle and stored for use in meals or for trading.