Co ho fo sho!
The friend of mine who caught this fish has received differing opinions as to species. Some say sockeye others say coho. I offered to post his pictures on the forum to get some real expert advice from the fishing community. What do you think?
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Based upon the responses to this thread it appears that all would have put this fish in the box as a hatchery coho. The angler did what most respondents did. He noted the white mouth and clipped fin and assumed coho. However, the white coloration in the mouth and jaw line is present in both species so perhaps not definitive to assume all hatchery fish are cohos. It was only when he got to the cleaning table and noted the tail with no silver, very small teeth and very red flesh that he decided to solicit a second opinion.Am I the only one who thinks anyone killing a fish when they aren't 100% sure of the ID, and one of the possibilities is closed, is poaching and should be charged as such? All the shaming that happens on this site over possession limits discussions and no one has called out the greed and selfishness shown by killing a fish they have no clue on the ID?!!
Learn your fish ID and when you don't know - let it go!!
Cheers!
Ukee
Based upon the responses to this thread it appears that all would have put this fish in the box as a hatchery coho. The angler did what most respondents did. He noted the white mouth and clipped fin and assumed coho. However, the white coloration in the mouth and jaw line is present in both species so perhaps not definitive to assume all hatchery fish are cohos. It was only when he got to the cleaning table and noted the tail with no silver, very small teeth and very red flesh that he decided to solicit a second opinion.
The good information provided in this thread will further educate those fishermen less experienced than many of you. The first response by Tubber with a photo showing a sharp contrast in coloration was particularly helpful. Sandpaper like teeth is also unique.
I am curious though, what do the commercial fishermen do with bi-catch that is closed to retention? Wouldn't a far greater number of fish be taken than those kept by inexperienced sport fisherman?