Chinook*
July - September
Coho*
July - September
Chum*
August - September
Pink**
July - August
*Also available October
**Also available Sept. - October
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Types of Salmon
Four types of salmon are primarily targeted in these waters, but of most interest are the Chinook (King, Spring) and Coho (Silvers).
Chinook
The Chinook, also known as spring or king salmon, are the largest of the five species of salmon found in Chatham Sound. A Chinook over 13.5 kg (30 lbs.) is known as a "Tyee." These salmon rarely leap partly due to their size. Their fight is powerful with long, repeated runs. The battle with a large Chinook can last a half-hour or more, leaving the angler both exhausted and exhilarated.
Although smaller "feeder" or "winter" springs can be caught year-‘round, the Chinook run begins in mid-May with larger Tyees arriving late-June or early July. Black gums and a silver, spotted tail distinguish the Chinook from other salmon, and the rich flesh ranges from deep red to white. They live 3-7 years, and weigh 1.5 to 30 kg (3 to 65 lbs.)
Coho
Beginning in late July, and peaking from mid-August to mid-September, Coho are renowned fighters. They make fast, wild, erratic leaps on the line. The Coho put on a show in the air and test the angler on their speed of reeling as they race toward the vessel trying to release the hook. No fish offers finer sport.
Coho are bright silver in saltwater, giving them the alternate name "silvers." They have a white mouth, with white gums at the base of the teeth and black tongues, a few spots along the upper portion of their bodies, silver tails, and highly-prized, deep red flesh. Ranging in size from 1.3 to 14 kg (2 to 30 lbs.), coho usually live three years and grow rapidly in their final year. During the last part of the run the "northern coho," generally larger fish, move into the waters of Chatham Sound.
Chum
Fun to catch and excellent smoked, the chum, or "dog," salmon are known for long, nearly-unstoppable runs and bulldogging tactics.
Chum run from August until October. Similar to the sockeye salmon, though larger, chum have silvery, green sides in salt water and faint, grid-like bars as they near spawning streams. Chum live three-to-five years, and typically weigh 4.5 to 6.5 kg (10-14.5 lbs.), though they have been known to reach as much as 15 kg (34 lbs.).
Pink
Like the chum, pink salmon are fun to catch and good smoked. Also known as "humpbacks" or "humpies," from their appearance in fresh water, pinks are the most numerous of the Pacific salmon. Pink salmon are strong fighters for their size and don’t give up easily. They like to free-jump repeatedly in the air.
Pink salmon have tiny scales and a tail heavily marked with large oval spots, but unlike other salmon there is no silver in the tail. Pinks have a two-year life cycle and are more numerous in northern waters in even-numbered years. They are the smallest of the Pacific salmon, reaching 1.5 to 3 kg (3-7 lbs.), but occasionally reaching 5 kg (11 lbs.).
Book your West Coast fishing adventure today or contact us to learn more about our west coast salmon fishing charters in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada.
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