| Salmon fishing is one of the most popular fishing | | | | salmon can reach a length of 30 inches and weigh |
| sports today and continues to grow in popularity. | | | | about 8 pounds. |
| There are different types of salmon, each with | | | | The least valuable of Pacific salmon is the Pink |
| their own unique characteristics and appeal to | | | | salmon. This is also the smallest of the salmon, |
| fishermen. The largest of the Pacific salmon is the | | | | weighing 4 pounds and averaging about 22 inches |
| Chinook salmon, which can grow up to 40 inches | | | | long. Even though the Pink salmon is the least |
| long and weigh as much as 100 pounds. The | | | | valuable of all the salmon it is found in the most |
| Chinook salmon are only accountable for about | | | | abundance. Pink salmon are used mostly for |
| one percent of the salmon harvest each year. | | | | canning and not for eating fresh over the coals. |
| The Sockeye, from Alaska, is the most valuable | | | | There are many fishing charters along the |
| of all salmon. It grows to 24 inches in length and | | | | northern Pacific coast that are very popular |
| weighs between six and nine pounds. It makes up | | | | among sport fishermen. If you are an avid |
| 25 to 30 percent of Alaska's commercial fishing. | | | | fisherman you may want to think about |
| During spawning season, the males turn a beautiful | | | | chartering a boat to take you to the finest |
| red, and therefore are often called "red" salmon. | | | | salmon fishing places along the coast. Many of |
| Coho's are the next (third) most valued fish. | | | | these charters also offer whale watching tours |
| These "silvers" as they are called, because of | | | | which is a great way for you to combine your |
| their bright silver color, are popular in the | | | | fishing vacation with a bit of sightseeing. Take |
| marketplace and often sold whole. The Coho runs | | | | your time finding the right charter for you as |
| to about 29 inches and weighs on an average of | | | | there are many different packages that you can |
| nine pounds. The favored ways of processing | | | | choose from, including one day excursions to |
| them is smoking or canning. | | | | week long trips. You will want to join a charter |
| Another common salmon is the Chum salmon, | | | | that doesn't have too many people booked with |
| however these types of salmon are less valuable | | | | it, since the smaller the group is the better your |
| to fishermen because their meat is pale and | | | | salmon fishing trip will be. |
| yellow in comparison to the red salmon, making | | | | Choose carefully and you can enjoy some great |
| them less desirable to the consumer. Chum | | | | fishing - and some great tasting fish! |