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