May 19, 2004 The Pink Salmon
The Pink Salmon is the smallest of the Pacific Salmon. The Pink is also known as the "Humpy", due to the large hump that Male Pink Salmon grow as they approach spawning. An average weight for a Pink is around 5 pounds. The Fraser River, and the North Shores' Indian River receive strong Pink Salmon runs. The Pink Salmon shows up in its strongest numbers in odd numbered years, where millions of fish move up the Fraser River.
Jun 15, 2003 The Chum Salmon
The Chum Salmon has only emerged recently as a sport fish. The Chum and the Pink salmon are targets of the net fishery, but the fighting quality of the Chum sets it apart from the Pink. Once the Chum Salmon hits fresh water it takes on some pretty interesting colorations. Chum runs coincide with the Coho, and the rivers of the Fraser Valley are teeming with these purple and green barred beasts. The Chum Salmon deteriorates fast in fresh water, and these fish are a nuisance when after Coho in the Fall. But if found near salt water, in a river such as the Squamish, the chum has it's moments. Averaging 8-12 pounds, with a big fish in the twenties,the fish also know as the Dog salmon pull hard and will jump repeatedly. The first run from a fresh Dog rivals any of the five Salmon; after the first run they are easily turned. The Stave River near Mission is a popular Chum fishery, and in November the Stave is literally clogged with Oncorhynchus Keta.
Jun 15, 2003 The Sockeye Salmon
The Sockeye, traditionally a commercial fish, is now an important part of the BC sport fishery. The Sockeye is best known for it's brilliant red flesh. The Sockeye returns to the Fraser River in the millions every year, headed for destinations such as the Horsefly River near Williams Lake, and the famous Adams River...
Jun 15, 2003 The Coho Salmon
Americans call them Silvers and Bluebacks, but to the BC fisherman they will always be Coho. The Coho Salmon, along with the Chinook, is the anchor of the BC sportfishery. Every fall Coho return to numerous streams throughout the Fraser Valley. The last few years have not been promising for the most acrobatic of the Pacific Salmon.
Jun 15, 2003 Chinook / Spring Salmon
The Chinook is the largest of the 5 Pacific Salmon, reaching weights of over 70 pounds. The largest BC caught salmon was in the low 80 pound range, with the world record sport caught fishing being a 92 pound Kenai River (Alaska) giant...
Jun 14, 2003 The Steelhead
The Steelhead is an andronamous variety of the Rainbow Trout. Steelhead runs are river specific; fish trickle into Fraser Valley streams in the summer, winter, and spring months. The Steelhead spends from one to two years in fresh water before migrating to the ocean....
Jun 14, 2003
