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