I got it vacuum packed in the freezer. Is it possible to get the scales off a later date when I smoke it or is best done fresh?
Yes... Leave it frozen till you plan to use it. When you take it out to smoke as soon as it is defrosted scrape a bunch of scales off with a knife and spread them out on paper to dry. When totally dry stick it in an envelope and I will arrange to pick up. Write down length, weight, date etc. if you have it. I will check with the lab and see if they are willing to run it. I will let you know by PM what they say.
I know folks are piling in with the Chinook votes but I think there is something funny about that fish. Look at the odd scale arrangement in the third photo.
Looks like a spring, smells like a spring. Must be a spring.
Although it is a photo of a vacuum sealed frozen fish, I don't see what is chum about it?
Tips
Yep chinook face with a chums buttI think the gums are the giveaway ,
Wolf's picture shows the Chum with white gums
N2013's salmon clearly had black gums.
No more than drying it out will. They will be looking for markers not trying to clone anything.Freezing it will denature the DNA won't it? I'd let the lab know it's a frozen sample. Odd looking fish. That is exactly what you'd think a chum/spring hybrid would look like. Please post whatever results you get!
If you look at Wolf's fish the wrist is very narrow and the eye is similar to sockeye, larger than springs and coho. Also the meat in that fish is really red....no chum are that bright of a red. The belly cavity on both sockeye and chum is also quite narrow and you really have to force your hand past the ribs to clean out the guts.