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Tips in fishing for salmon in Alaska
By Angus MacLeod

Alaska is well known as being one of the most beautiful areas with plenty of wild salmon, an ideal destination for fishing trips.

This abundance of salmon is due to the fact that extreme tides flow along the West Coast against the ocean currents thus creating an environment which is an ideal breeding ground for thousands of baitfish.

It's also a well known fact that it is one of the best places to go to fish for the giant King Salmon which is the largest specie of salmon.

In saltwater possibly the best way to catch the biggest salmon is by the method called trolling or by angling a baited line which is drawn through the water.

Fishing for the giant King Salmon is a year round activity, especially in areas such as Seward.

Anglers most commonly favored salmon are the following:

1. The King Salmon (Chinook - Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) are the largest of all the salmon species. Its weight can be between 20-40 pounds, the heaviest recorded caught was 112 pounds, it can be as long as 3-4 foot. It has a blue-green back and it is lightly spotted.

The Chinook Salmon will usually live for between five to seven years.

The color of the flesh can range from an ivory white to a deep red.

This specie of salmon are also referred to as; quinnat , tule, tyee, springs and mouth/king salmon.

2. Silver Salmon or Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is, on the other hand, a slightly smaller fish with an average weight of between 8-12 pounds.

These specie usually prefer small streams to spawn in, usually around the months of July to November.

3. Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), are, another popular sought-after salmon because of its flesh which is a deep red color and it has a firm rich flavor.

When fishing for salmon in Alaska, one has to be equipped with the correct equipment and donned with the appropriate apparel.

Below is a list of some of the equipment/materials that you will require together with a couple of tips for hassle-free fishing:

1. You must ensure that you are wrapped in warm clothes. Avoid bulky clothes as they will hinder your fishing so try to get hold of some lightweight clothing that uses a breathable material.

2. Over your everyday clothes you should wear a waterproof jacket, boots or even waders. Bibs are sometimes necessary to ensure that you can stay dry - salmon are great fighters and likely not to give up without a struggle.

3. Ensure you jhave the right bait! This might seem obvious but not all fishing boats are stocked with bait for the angler.

4. Even semi-pro anglers benefit from the hiring of a guide. Most fishermen will enjoy the excitement of crash-lessons onboard. On the best boats it is likely that the guide will hook the bait for the guest and they should iinform the party as to where it would be most likely to catch a fish.

If you do decide to employ a guide I am sure that he will offer you far more help, advice, and tips than I can offer here. If you can't find a guide ask around as there are often local fishermen who would gladly take you out, these guys make their living from the sea so you can almost be guaranteed that he knows the waters well and the likely haunts of the biggest fish likely to be caught that day.

Interesting Fish Facts & Fishing Tips
The trout has no sense of taste as they do not have taste buds. They rely upon their sight and food is taken quickly. There is little point adding a flavor to an artificial fly but the trout does possess olfactory organs that can pick up odors.

Author Details:
Angus MacLeod, copywriter for various websites with his main interests being golf, fishing and fly fishing, especially when in fishing in Scotland.

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