Grays Harbor folks also refer to sea-run cutts as "bluebacks".

As far as the tribal colloquialism goes, as others have said, they're referring to Quinault River sockeye.

I think the non-descript names are kinda stupid.

It's a lot like calling Orientals that ridiculous politically correct non-descript label "Asian".

Technically speaking, Asian includes Russians and the neighboring former Soviet -stans; Arabs/Middle Eastern folks, and their neighboring Muslim -stans, Hindus/Indians, Mongols/Tibetans/Siberians, your various Orientals - Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian,Laotian, Filipino. JFC! may as well just call us all bluebacks!

Ah hell... that's the just the redneck Oriental Grays Harbor hick in me talkin'... never mind.
_________________________
"Let every angler who loves to fish think what it would mean to him to find the fish were gone." (Zane Grey)

"If you don't kill them, they will spawn." (Carcassman)


The Keen Eye MD
Long Live the Kings!