Fishing sports are growing in popularity and one of the most prized fishes is the salmon. There are many varieties and each fisherman has his or her favorite. The granddaddy of Pacific salmon is the Chinook. It can weigh in at up to 100 pounds and grow to 40 inches in length. Chinook make up only about one percent of the annual salmon harvest.
The most valuable salmon is from Alaska, the Sockeye salmon. This fish averages about six to nine pounds and can be as long as 24 inches. The Sockeye salmon accounts for approximately 25 to 30 percent of the commercial fishing trade in Alaska. This salmon is often called the "red" salmon because of the brilliant red color that the males turn during the spawning season.
A third variety of salmon is the Coho. It too is valuable to the fishing industry. They are silvery and shiny, thus often called "silver" salmon. Customers at seafood counters often take a whole fish home to barbecue. Canning and smoking are other great ways to prepare them and keep in your pantry. They generally weigh in at around 9 pounds and grow up to 29 inches long.
Chum salmon are not worth much due to their pale and yellow meat. Consumers don't usually favor them. They grow to 30 inches in length and weigh in at about 8 pounds.
The least valuable of Pacific salmon is the Pink salmon. This is also the smallest of the salmon, weighing 4 pounds and averaging about 22 inches long. Even though the Pink salmon is the least valuable of all the salmon it is found in the most abundance. Pink salmon are used mostly for canning and not for eating fresh over the coals.
Check out the vast numbers of charter fishing boats available on the northern Pacific coast. Sport fishermen love to make a one-day or even week-long trip on one of these boats, hoping to come home with their limits. If you decide to try one, you may also luck out and see some whales during your trip. Gather information before you book a charter, since there are many packages available. Remember that the smaller, the better, since it limits competition for those feisty fish.
Choose carefully and you can enjoy some great fishing - and some great tasting fish!
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