The Chinook Salmon
The Chinook are characterized by bold round spots on the back and the entire tail as well as a black gum line inside the mouth. Trophy fish of 30-60lbs are surprising common in our waters from March through November. A few over 70lbs are taken every year. From October into May, fishing is very hot for immature feeder Chinook of 5-25lbs. Many days you can't keep your gear in the water long enough to sit down !
Chinook tend to feed near steep shorelines and drop offs, typically near the bottom. Most are caught on slow trolled, but large plugs trolled on downriggers can be excellent. Chinook rarely leap; rather, their fight is characterized by powerful, determined runs, and battles with large Chinook often last half an hour or more. The flesh is pink red and very rich (though some natural runs of Chinook in Southern BC have an equally rich, nearly white flesh). Aliases to describe Chinook are: Spring, King, Slab, Tyee, Smiley (on the anglers face), Feeder and Blackmouth.
The Coho Salmon
The Coho averages 3-20lbs in June through September. After more weeks of feeding, they can weigh 10-25lbs by late August and September. Coho are distinguished from Chinook by round dorsal spotting that extends onto the upper half of the tail only, and a whitish, rather than dark, gum line. They also differ in their fight, being fast, wildly erratic leapers that often jump high on one side of the boat then, while the surprised angler is still trying to reel in slack line to keep up, come rocketing out of the water on the other side. No salmon offers finer light tackle sport.
Coho also feed faster; where Chinook like a slow rolling bait, Coho like a fast trolled herring, hoochy squid or Coho fly, often at or near the surface. Coho tend to feed within the upper 30 feet or so, often far from land in tidal rip lines and often in schools. Their flesh, a deep red, is esteemed.
Pink Salmon
Pink Salmon , generally only 3-7lbs, can be the most abundant salmon species during July and August. Some runs return only bi-annually; certain rivers get a run in even numbered years, others get one in odd numbered years. We in Sidney get the odd years.Like Coho, pinks tend to feed along rip lines, often well offshore. Pink salmon have the habit of free jumping, and an individual fish will leap clear of the water at repeated intervals, often many times in a row.
Pinks are readily recognized by the large oval shaped spots over most of their body. Pink salmon are very strong fighters for their size, never giving up easily, sometimes leaping and often surging along the surface in repeated short runs until finally netted. They are aggressive feeders, striking herring and various lures and flies. The flesh of pink salmon is oily and lighter in colour and not considered quite as tasty Chinook or Coho (but still highly rated table fare and very popular with fish smokers). Aliases for pink salmon; humpy or humpback.
