| I have had the pleasure of fishing for salmon in | | | | The Bait: |
| Alaska. It was a thrilling experience! | | | | Ask the Pro's at the pro shop what works best in |
| To see 3 feet long Silver's in a stream surrounded by | | | | your area or the area you are going to fish. They will |
| 10,000+ foot mountains is something you dream | | | | most likely suggest salmon eggs. They are cured in |
| about. | | | | many different ways and everyone has their |
| If you have fished for salmon anywhere and they | | | | favorite. |
| are spawning you know they aren't all that easy to | | | | You may wonder why you would want to use |
| catch as they aren't feeding only intent onrunning up | | | | salmon eggs. It's very simply really. After salmon |
| stream to their spawning spot. So it takes some | | | | spawn, the parent fish stay around the nest to |
| patience and good timing as well as knowing where | | | | protect the eggs from predators like trout. |
| and when they are running. | | | | The currents will also carry the eggs away. When this |
| But for any fisherman, this is one of the ultimate | | | | happens the parent fish gently pick the eggs in their |
| experiences! | | | | mouth and bring them back to the nest. |
| Here are a few tips: | | | | So, when you dangle salmon eggs in the water after |
| Your First Pole: | | | | the salmon have spawned, they will see the eggs |
| The most important piece of equipment is a fishing | | | | and assume that some have floated out of the nest. |
| pole of course! The best place to purchase a pole is | | | | When they go to retrieve them, they get hooked! |
| at a real pro shop or bait and tackle shop. | | | | The Catch: |
| Pro shops usually have a generous return policy. If | | | | Take along an ice chest filled with ice to keep your |
| you get a pole that is not comfortable for you, too | | | | catch fresh. You may want to have a couple of five |
| stiff or too flexible, too long or too short, they will | | | | gallon buckets as well. One bucket for cleaning your |
| generally exchange it for a pole that will work better | | | | catch. Another bucket to keep the ready-to-eat |
| for you. | | | | gutted and cleaned salmon in. |
| Bottom line, they want your return business for | | | | If you clean it before you take it home, you avoid |
| other things like bait and tackle. | | | | the smelly bloody mess in your kitchen. Many rivers in |
| The Place: | | | | Alaska, Kenai, Russian, Montana, Bird...have fish |
| The best place to fish for salmon is in the river when | | | | cleaning facilities. |
| they come up to spawn. The local pro shop should | | | | A third bucket could be used to save salmon eggs |
| be happy to provide you with the best times for | | | | gutted from a female. You can save the egg sack |
| fishing salmon. | | | | and cure it later. You can learn more about how to |
| Salmon spawn at different times and come up the | | | | cure the eggs, or roe, online or talk to someone in |
| rivers at different intervals throughout the season. | | | | your local pro shop for suggestions. |
| So, planning is important if you want toactually fish | | | | The Filleting: |
| when the salmon are spawning. You can get alot of | | | | You can cut your fish in two ways, steaks or fillets. |
| good information with a subscription to Alaska | | | | Salmon steaks are the easiest way to cut them up. |
| magazine or do a search online for the location you | | | | Filleting takes a little more practice. You willprobably |
| are interested in. | | | | mangle the first few you try to fillet. Don't let that |
| The Boat: | | | | bother you. All those little mangled pieces can be |
| Best case scenario is to have a flat bottom river | | | | smoked and turned into a salmon dip. |
| boat, but those are expensive. It may not be a good | | | | Mmm good! |
| idea to take a regular "V" hull lake boat into the river | | | | The Cooking: |
| because the depths can be too shallow and | | | | There are many ways to cook salmon. Pan fry, BBQ, |
| unpredictable. | | | | roasted or even smoked. If you do decide to smoke |
| Another wonderful way to experience your first | | | | your salmon pieces, be sure not to over drythem. |
| salmon trip is by hiring a guide. You'll learn more from | | | | Here's a simple recipe for salmon dip. |
| the guide then on your own. It can be pricey, but it's | | | | One cup smoked salmon |
| worth it. Alaska guides generally charge $200/day per | | | | Two 8 oz packages of cream cheese |
| person. | | | | Half cup chopped onion |
| No boat? No worries. Fishing from shore is a | | | | Salt, pepper, garlic, to taste |
| wonderful way to experience this fantastic hobby as | | | | Now it's time to stop reading about it and go out |
| well. Get some waders and watch out for the | | | | there and catch some salmon! |
| slippery rocks! | | | | |