ATLANTIC SALMON
Posted on February 12, 2009
Atlantic Salmon
COMMON NAMES: Atlantic salmon, black salmon, common Atlantic salmon, grisle, Lake Atlantic salmon, landlocked salmon. This is the most prolific of all salmon.
DESCRIPTION: The Atlantic has a long, slender body similar to a trout. During spawning runs, the males develop a hooked jaw or ‘kype’. The tail is only slightly forked and the scales are relatively large. While in the ocean, the Atlantic salmon is dark on the dorsal side and chrome from just above the lateral line to the underbelly. The large mottled spots look like a sparse series of X-shaped, black spots.varying in size, distinguish it from all pacific salmon. The Atlantic is sometimes referred to as “the king of salmon” but should not be confused with the Pacific salmon Chinook, which is also called King.
After these salmon have entered rivers to spawn, they gradually turn a bronze and dark brown. , and are darkest in color after they have spawned looking alomst black.
SIZE: Migratory Atlantics may return to their home river to spawn after only one year as ‘grilse’. At this point they usually weigh about 4 or 5 pounds. Fish that return to spawn after two years often weigh between seven and 15 pounds. The size of most Atlantic rarely exceeds 65 pounds with the average weight being between 17 to 22 pounds.
Landlocked salmon are often smaller usually weighing between 2 and 4 pounds however fish of more than 35 and of 44 pounds have been caught in Sebago Lake, Maine, and in Lake Ontario, Canada, respectively. The world-record fish, was caught in Norway in 1928 and weighed more than 79 pounds.
WHERE THEY CAN BE FOUND: This species of fish is found primarily in the Atlantic Ocean where they are found throughout most of regions of the North Atlantic Ocean. They can be found along the eastern coast of North America to the U.K. and Europe where there is a vast industry recreationally and commercially. Atlantics have the widest distribution of all salmon. In Canada these areas include Newfoundland, Labrador, the Maritimes and northern Quebec.
HABITS AND HABITAT Unlike the Pacific Salmon species, the Atlantic does not die after spawning; they will migrate back to sea with the females living the longest. After the initial migration up river, they will not feed again making them hard to solicit strikes. It is said that Atlantics can apparently live 9 to 18 years, but this is hotly disputed with many believing that will not live much longer than 9 years.
Immature Atlantics spend two to three years in freshwater before migrating to sea. They return after one or two years to spawn in their native rivers, usually during October and November. Landlocked salmon spawning behavior is similar to that of migratory Atlantics. Females choose the nesting site, which usually consists of a gravel bed above or below a pool in the river. The nest is dug by the female who thrashes her tail over the spawning gravel. A 20-pound female may release up to 14,000 eggs which are then covered with gravel. The spawned-out fish, known as ‘kelts’, may remain in the river for a number of weeks before returning to the sea or lake.
ATLANTIC SALMON TECHNIQUES: Atlantics are incredible fighters, especially if you manage to catch one in their river habitat. This is traditionally the domain of the fly fishermen, however there are many other options including drift-Fishing, Plunking, Bobber-jig, Spinners, Spoons, Top water baits and Crank baits. The fly fisher usually uses eight and 1/2 to nine-foot fly rod with larger reels that can hold at least 100 yards of backing as well as a complete fly line. Leaders are six to 12-pound test line and are often up to 12 feet long.
ATLANTIC SALMON TACKLE: Bait-fish imitations are most effective in spring when the salmon are feeding in the shallows. In the fall, you will probably need an attractor since they are less inclined to feed. Fisherman can either cast or troll with medium-action rods and reels. Favorite lures are usually those that best imitate bait fish like many available spoons. Silver, brass, copper and orange are fairly effective colors. Even the fly fisherman can employ trolling techniques, using large single or tandem streamer flies tied on long hooks.
Popular streamer and bucktail patterns include Grey Ghost, Black Ghost, Barnes Special and the Pink Lady.
TRY THESE TIPS: Atlantics like flies that appear suspended over them. Cast the fly so that it drifts across the current and over the suspended fish. Always allow the fly to stay in the water over the fish for a few moments before retrieving it for another cast. You should enusre your flies are presented to the salmon in a ‘broadside’ manner when ever possible. Atlantics can be finicky and may ignore flies that they can’t see fully silhouetted. Atlantic salmon are very well known for their fighting qualities.