Northwest Reel Life October 2024 Volume 4 Issue 2 - Flipbook - Page 25
darker towards the tail.
Spawning males typically
grow an elongated snout
or kype, their lower fins
become tipped with white,
and they have enlarged
teeth. This may explain the
nickname “dog” salmon.
They are also sold for both
dog food and are popular in
Italy as food for prisoners.
As mentioned, Chum
tend to transition and turn
very quickly, even before
they enter freshwater.
Their flesh is not good for
consumption when they
begin to turn, but then
again, to each his own. Also,
Chum migrate, spawn, and
die rather quickly, usually
within a period of a few
weeks after entering fresh
water. The key is to know
when they show up and
get after them while you
have a short window of
opportunity.
Since returns of Chum
are dwindling in many of
our rivers, we are often
not allowed to target
them and when we are
allowed to, they often
must be released. Check
your WDFW regulations
or call a local office for
information on Chum
salmon and ask about
volunteer opportunities to
catch them for broodstock
programs that are being
used to restore the runs in
some of our rivers.
I have participated in the
broodstock collection
on the Snohomish River
system for the past few
years, focusing on the
Skykomish River. We catch
chum and safely transport
them to net pens that
are located up and down
the river. The fish are
collected and taken to a
hatchery where the milt
and eggs are collected,
and the salmon are reared
for release back into the
system. In my opinion,
this is the most effective
method to help Chum
recover and increase the
