C
chunk_style
Hey all!
I was fishing Five Rivers this weekend, and pulled in a nice nook that was a chromy, all-over pink with a dark back, and a slightly hooked jaw and nose. Left the camera in the truck though:wall:. I let him go, but it made me wonder, how dark is too dark to eat? Anyone have pics of fish that they would say are right on the borderline? Or of fish that are just bright enough, or maybe ones that someone kept and then regretted it? I'm just looking for a guideline to use if it comes up again.
I also pulled in a jack that was very bright, and delicious!
Thanks!
That's a good idea with the belly, I don't really recall the look of it on that fish. Yeah, I would have felt bad about whacking that one. The jack darkened up a LOT after I bonked him, but he felt firm the next day, so we ate him and he was good!
If I catch a fish thats on the border I will usually put it back. There are some tricks though because some fish "color up" faster than others, some as quick as 48 hours.
1. Scale size...Salmon "ingest" thier scales through the skin for energy and protien. Generally salmon with larger scales are better table fair.
2. Look inside the mouth. Inside the mouth near the back you can see a small patch on the side just above the throught. If its pink or orange its a good indicator.
3. Hens with a big bloated stomach indicates a hen getting close to spawning. Hens meat around the belly becomes thinner due to developing eggs, they also take a tole on the rest as they stretch.
4. How did they fight? Was the fish full of energy or did it fight like a boot with a tail? Usually fish that are in better shape will fight harder than those that are spent.
All fish will turn darker upon death. A dark fish will become almost black when dead. We have caught nickle bright fish in the lower tidewater that loose that brighness and look like they have been in the river a couple of weeks. I hope this helps!
Good Luck
Hey all!
I was fishing Five Rivers this weekend, and pulled in a nice nook that was a chromy, all-over pink with a dark back, and a slightly hooked jaw and nose. Left the camera in the truck though:wall:. I let him go, but it made me wonder, how dark is too dark to eat? Anyone have pics of fish that they would say are right on the borderline? Or of fish that are just bright enough, or maybe ones that someone kept and then regretted it? I'm just looking for a guideline to use if it comes up again.
I also pulled in a jack that was very bright, and delicious!
Thanks!
A real fresh salmon or steelhead should maintain its chrome ours after it has been bonked
You know it's just wrong....... To post pictures of fish you regretted catchin'.
So here you go... If she looks like this.... Turn her loose... lol
Ever seen what happens to tuna when they pass? I fish the lower tide water of the Siletz a lot. We (my family and I) put lots of fish in the boat. I have seen fish in August (thats when the hog bucks start to show up)with sealice all over them turn darker the moment they are bled out. Most fish will retain thier brightness, but it does happen, and it is rare and depends on the individual fish.
You said five rivers is that on the Alsea i have tried twice at mile post 12 with corkys and bobber and salmon eggs any tips.
Wow, I have never seen a Coho look quite like that one. I would have thought I had a Chinook for sure.
You do know they have the internet there to don't you :lol:I'll miss good fish pics.
There are fish in Idaho.... Just palmer a brown saddle hackle around a new potato add a splash of crystal flash.....
edit..right