Posts Tagged ‘Salmon’

You are probably aware of the many benefits of salmon, but when you’re at the local fish market are you aware of the differences between Atlantic and Pacific salmon? Other than the obvious geographical separation, there is one fundamental difference between the fish.
The salmon is renowned for it’s tragic life cycle. The fish are born in freshwater but then migrate to the open saltwater of the oceans to live their adult lives. When salmon are ready to spawn, they return to familiar freshwater hardwired by imprint or a keen sense of smell. We have all seen salmon swim valiantly upstream only to spawn and then die. But do they really? The Pacific salmon does meet its unfortunate demise but the Atlantic salmon does indeed live to spawn another day.
The question to ask now is whether or not there’s a nutritional difference between Pacific and Atlantic salmon. The answer is yes but perhaps it is more a function of mankind’s interference or intervention depending on your point of view.
Because salmon is such a popular fish, commercial fish farms have been set up to meet the demand of the public. It has been estimated that greater than 99% of Atlantic salmon sold in world wide fish markets are farmed versus greater than 80% of Pacific salmon are wild-caught.
The free swimming Pacific salmon are found to have less contaminants and dioxins than its farmed Atlantic counterpart. However, Atlantic salmon do contain more essential omega-3 fatty acids. The health benefits of this fatty acid include cardiovascular and neurological benefits among many others.
So, do the benefits of omega-3 outweigh the risks of eating chemically contaminated salmon stock? Given consumption in moderation, studies show that the net benefits of salmon’s nutritional value exceed the pollution issues. However, always ask where the salmon comes from when purchasing to follow these guidelines. Farmed fish from eastern Canada, Norway and Scotland should not be consumed more than three times a year. Likewise, farmed fish from Maine, western Canada, Washington State and Chile should not be consumed more than six times a year. If your palate swings toward wild salmon, then you can enjoy wild chum salmon once per week; pink, sockeye and coho bimonthly, and chinook once a month.
As with everything in life, too much of a good thing can cause you harm. To enjoy the health benefits of eating salmon, one has to practice moderation.


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Salmon fishing covers a lot of ground. There are many different species, and they live on both U. S. Coasts, and in fresh water rivers and lake systems.
Although their habits are similar, fishing methods will differ according to the time of year, and what kind of water they are in. Let’s start by establishing exactly what a salmon is.
Salmon is the common name for several species of the family Salmonidae, which also includes trout and char. Most species of salmon are anadromous, meaning they live in the ocean, and migrate up rivers to spawn. There are a few species that have established themselves in freshwater lakes full-time, and are referred to as ‘landlocked’ salmon. The major species are:
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) are native to the Northeastern coast of the US , and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Systems. The landlocked subspecies of this salmon is called the Sebago, and is stocked with marginal success in Michigan. This is the only East Coast species of salmon in the US. Atlantic Salmon survive their spawning runs up rivers and can spawn 3 or 4 times in their lives.
The Pacific Salmon are all members of the Onchorynchus family.
The Chinook, or King Salmon (Onchorynchus tshawytscha) is the largest member of the West Coast Salmon family, ranging from Northern California north to the McKenzie River in Canada. 30- Pounders are not uncommon.
Chum, or Dog Salmon (Onchorynchus keta) have the largest range of all the Pacific Coast salmon species, ranging from the Sacramento River in California, north to the McKenzie River in British Columbia.
Coho, or Silver Salmon (Onchorynchus kisutchi) are only found along the British Columbia and Alaskan Coasts, and rivers.
Pink, or Humpy Salmon (Onchorynchus gorbuscha) are found from mid Caliifornia north to the McKenzie River in BC. They are the smallest, but most numerous of the Pacific Salmon species.
Sockeye, or Red Salmon (Onchorynchus nerka) are the most striking species in appearance, during the spawn. The males turn a vivid bright red. They range from the Klamath River in Northern California, north to Bathurst Inlet in the Canadian Arctic.
Kokanee are a landlocked subspecies of Sockeye Salmon.
Steelhead (Onchorynchus mykiss) are not salmon, but Rainbow Trout that migrate to the ocean, and back to the rivers to spawn.
And, a quick word about fish-farming. If you catch a salmon, you’d need a DNA test to determine whether it was a farm-raised, or ‘wild’ fish. While there is a temporary problem with lice on farm-raised fish, it is only temporary and will be addressed.
It is a new industry with some teething troubles, but it will eventually save the salmon-fishing industry and guarantee a great supply of fish for everyone. And when ‘farmed’ fish are released, they become part of the ‘wild’ fish population.
Fish farming will do for the fish industry what cattle-ranching has done to the beef, pork and poultry industries. It is truly the wave of the future, and will go a long way towards eliminating hunger in the world.


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Underwater footage of a spawned-out fall-run Chinook salmon.

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Underwater footage of adult spring-run Chinook salmon (a federally-listed threatened species) over-summering in a river prior to spawning.

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Underwater footage of adult spring-run Chinook salmon (a federally-listed threatened species) over-summering in a river prior to spawning.

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Salmon Fishing Bob Singley and David Johnson working their mojo. Matthew asks bob to show the prawn rigging so you can learn to the right roll!

You can fish right through the year at Oregon with remarkable fishing experiences. Though this location is not as popular or well known like the other fishing areas of Alaska, Washington and Michigan of the United States, it offers fishing right through the year which is interesting enough. The most eagerly awaited event in Oregon is the annual King Salmon fishing which occurs annually when many King Salmons are caught. The vast coastline of Oregon which is over a hundred and eighty miles can be fished for king salmons right through. During the season more than 65,000 will be caught and some of these King Salmons can weigh up to thirty pounds or more.
Some of the very often visited hot spots for salmon fishing
1. Rogue River – this river is divided into three sectors like the lower, middle and upper sections and is thought to be a fishing enthusiast’s paradise. Originating from the mountains of Crater Lake National Park, this is a 200 mile long river. The lower end of the Rogue River has exceptional prospects for spring and fall King as well as Silver salmon fishing. The lower end of the Rogue River has marvelous chances for fishing in the spring as well as the fall for King and Silver salmon angling. The water in the middle of the Rogue River is not very rapid and offers wonderful chances for families to go fishing and rafting. Spinner and fly fishing are popular in these deep ponds with rock bottoms and eddies that mark this section of the river. The best months to fish here are between July to October. Salmon and Trout fishing are available in the upper sections of the river. You could also go hiking, camping or white water rafting here.
2. Rogue River Canyon – White water rafting, with the spectacular water movement, is more popular than fishing right through the canyon. However this is a wonderful place to experience and see. There are a few fly fishing chances towards the lower end of the Rogue River Canyon.
3. Oregon coast – Fishing for King Salmon is done in this part of Oregon most often. There are many guide charter services available here, but with the waters being calm one could go fishing without the assistance of a guide. In any case if it is your first visit then it is better that you have a guide. At Bookings Harbor, the locale of the Chetco River is predominantly well known for King fishing in the fall.
4. Gold Beach – It is in this part that the Rogue River flows into the coastal waters . One can fish for King Salmons here right through the year with most opportunities for the best fishing from March to July. King Salmon or Fall Chinook mainly run from August right up to October. Between the fall from the months of September to October you could also fish for Silver salmon.
The coast has the most number of hotels and stores where you could find accommodation or shop for supplies. This is one of the biggest boons at Oregon for Salmon fishing for visitors . There are several camping areas for camping in the day or for longer periods of camping by the coast for those fishing enthusiasts who want to have a feel of the out doors of Oregon too.


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The experience of the Kenai river salmon fishing is a great adventure. The (SMA) special management area or the Kenai River fishing habitat has over 150 miles of waterways that includes tributaries, lakes, streams and the main river itself. The larger lakes in this river SMA are skilak lake, Kenai Lake, Both that provides excellent opportunities for salmon fishing. The 82 miles long Kenai River empties into Cook Inlet, giving exceptional opportunities for fishing in the fall and spring seasons as the population of fish in those seasons are high.
There are about four to five different varieties of salmon which make the Kenai river fishing challenging and exciting at the very same time. The Coho or Silver salmon, The Sockeye or Red salmon and the Chinook or king salmon are the most numerous, with those Humphries or the pinks less common. Due to the conservation issues these pinks could only be kept only in alternative and even numbered years till the population is built again. This Kenai river salmon area for fishing is the largest of the King salmon on record which is at a whooping 97 pounds, and 4 of those were caught in that river. Other larger of the king salmon are caught yearly weighing around 60 to 70 pounds.
Another important feature of this river salmon fishing is plenty of Fishing lodges and professional guides which help those people who come to fish in this area. These lodges contain all the facilities that one could expect in the more populated areas of fishing lodges. It also supplies all the necessary equipments needed for the demands of the Kenai river fishing. There is a constant monitoring of the quality of the services rendered by the guides and strong adherence to limit restrictions and conservation laws, since the SMA guides have to be licensed.
There are several months and seasons which are best for specific species of Kenai River fishing. The very early months (summer) of May and June and spring are the best suitable for those looking for the king salmon. The July months and September are apt for silver salmon which is also known as Coho. Guides assist with the correct, appropriate bait and lures as well as provide the best locations to find fishes under given any weather condition.
Trekking, camping and hiking are the other options that are available apart from Salmon fishing. It is common to see deer, moose, bear, bald eagles and elk in their habitat (natural) or you could even take a trip to the glaciers and have a look at the wonderful landscapes. Horseback and four wheeler ridings are available at the resorts (fishing) and the local lodges. So, when you plan your trip, be sure to ask for the additional features.


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All through the river and coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest, king salmon fishing is noted as one of the most essential outdoor sporting activities also including Canada, Alaska, and British Columbia. King salmon fishing is an important activity because it brings profits to the area concerned, through the retailing of fishing licenses it provides funds to natural assets and wildlife conservation and management. This kind of fishing activity attracts not only hundreds but thousands of fishermen ever year.
Tips to King Salmon Fishing
Knowing the habits and behavior of the king salmon is the key to catching the best specie in any given situation and style, most fishermen will agree that this is the key to king salmon fishing. King salmon is also known by different kinds of names which are Chinook, Spring, Tule, Tyee and Bluemouth. The king salmon weighs more than 35 pounds considering it is the biggest of the species of salmon. The biggest king salmon was caught using a fish trap this was recorded in 1949 and it happened just outside Peterson, Alaska. It weighed 126 pounds and until now it still holds the record. In the Kenai River in Alaska another large king salmon was caught just by using a reel and a rod it weighed over 97 pounds.
King salmon can be caught both in fresh and salted water because they spend their life in both environment, king salmon fishing focuses on this environments. The life cycle of king salmon starts from fresh water where they are being hatched, then matures in the salt water when it is migrated and goes back to the fresh water to produce and die. King salmon takes around 2 to 7 years to mature in salt water before they go back to fresh water to produce. This only means that there are a lot of varieties and sizes to choose from when you are in king salmon fishing.
If the king salmon is still in the fresh water they eat plankton and insects especially when they are young if they are during their second year and already in the salted water they eat squid, herring and crustaceans. And if the time comes to produce they go back to the fresh water and feed on flies but there are debates if king salmon are actually eating it or just hitting it because they are excited and irritated.
The location of the fish and what lures to choose are the things to be considered when going on king salmon fishing. Experts in king salmon fishing can make precise predictions about what bait to use to attract the fish in different waters. Heavier bait, Rapalas, downriggers and jigs are effective when deep water fishing and ocean fishing because it copies the movements of a bait fish. When fishing in the river areas the rattle and spinner baits are more likely to be effective which is close the bottom and being dragged against the current. So when the fish are moving upstream most likely they will strike on the bait.


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