Why are Chum so Green in Saltwater?
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Forum Post Guidelines: This Forum is rated “Family Friendly”. Civil discussions are encouraged and welcomed. Name calling, negative, harassing, or threatening comments will be removed and may result in suspension or IP Ban without notice. Please refer to the Terms of Service and Forum Guidelines post for more information. Thank you
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Speedbird 48
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- Joined: Sat May 23, 2020 9:11 am
Why are Chum so Green in Saltwater?
I was fishing my favorite Sea Run Cutty beach only to be surprised by not one, but two male Chum Salmon holding right where the creek meets the beach. After a few minutes of fishing, I looked over the beach to see another fish slowly making its way to the creek. The thing that surprised me was that it was dark. It looked to me what I would expect a fish to look like after several days in the freshwater. I have even seen photos of Green Goblin Chum caught trolling in the saltwater. I always thought the freshwater is what causes the biological changes? Is that not so for Chum? Or do all small creek salmon turn before leaving the salt?
Re: Why are Chum so Green in Saltwater?
It's the hormones that dictate the physical change, not the water. Salmon that wait too long to go up into the fresh water will still change in the salt. That's why you start to see hook nosed Coho or humped up Pinks in the salt later during that run. Seems like MOST salmon make it into fresh water before they really start to change, but not all. Hope that helps.
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Speedbird 48
- Petty Officer
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2020 9:11 am
Re: Why are Chum so Green in Saltwater?
That makes a lot of sense, thanksBentRod wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 6:12 amIt's the hormones that dictate the physical change, not the water. Salmon that wait too long to go up into the fresh water will still change in the salt. That's why you start to see hook nosed Coho or humped up Pinks in the salt later during that run. Seems like MOST salmon make it into fresh water before they really start to change, but not all. Hope that helps.
