I wouldn’t be surprised if it was simply a matter of someone knowing that oil burns and noticing how oily the fish is, then having the brilliant idea of trying to light a fish on fire (alcohol may have been involved).

That’s how I like to imagine it, anyway.

“This shit is oily! Hey Bob, can I borrow a match for my pipe?”

Fumbles lit match.

The eulachon (/ju:ləkon/ (Thaleichthys pacificus), also spelled oolichan /'u:lika:n/, ooligan /'u:ligən/, hooligan /'hu:ligən/), or the candlefish

Hooligan fish. Ok.

Breakfast is served