This is a time of year which often finds my sons and I in the far, far north of
But in case you go, here is a handy field guide to Alaska salmon.
King Salmon.
aka (lower 48 states name) Chinook
Size: 20 – 80 pounds!
Fun to catch factor-very high
Good to eat-smoked is best.
How to catch ‘em-usually river fishing, from boat or bank...we caught this guy white water rafting!
By way of reference, fisherman is 6 foot 1 |
Silver Salmon
aka Coho
Size: 10 -20 pounds
Fun to catch factor-very high
How to catch ‘em-river fishing and especially in the bays as they wait to run upstream. Boat fishing the usual rule.
note the variable levels of enthusiasm on display |
Red Salmon
aka Sockeye
Size: 5 -10 pounds
Fun to catch factor- medium
Good to eat-probably the best of the bunch.
How to catch ‘em-river bank fishing
After a long fruitless day on another river, we caught our limit next to where we were camping! |
Pink Salmon
aka Humpbacked
Size: 5-15 pounds
Fun to catch factor-medium. When they are running they are present in massive numbers. You could get sore arms.
How to catch ‘em-bank fishing. You could probably walk over and club ‘em with a stick.
Here are roughly a bazillion pink salmon trying to get back to the hatchery they came from! Go Away! A chilling prospect to any parents who worry about adult children returning to the nest.
Dog Salmon
aka Chum
Size: I’m told around 10 pounds
Fun to catch factor-seemed very elusive…we could see them but not persuade them to bite.
Good to eat-name comes from their use as sled dog chow. Even the dogs would prefer something better.
How to catch ‘em-you are asking the wrong fishermen. This proved to be the White Whale for my serious fishing son, obsessive hours spent to no result.
We'll get you yet. |
It’s a ling cod, perhaps the most repulsive fish we have every caught.
How to catch ‘em-deep sea fishing
Fun Factor-mostly just showing it off, reeling it in is like winching up an old stump. (which would be more attractive, come to think of it).
Good to eat-allegedly. I was unimpressed.
1 comment:
Forget sharks. That lingcod is why you won't find me swimming in the ocean. Ewww.
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