KEYWORDS: chinook salmon game fish endanged species Columbia River salmon five salmon species in Northwest rivers Columbia River tribes Columbia River spring chinook american indian traditional foods learn about chinook salmon migration chinook salmon chum salmon coho salmon pink salmon sockeye salmon Celilo Indian Village
AUTHOR: Lynda V. Mapes, Seattle Times staff reporter
ABOARD THE MISS ROXANNE – Bright as polished chrome, this monster chinook pulled thrashing from the lower Columbia River fixes its black eye on me as I draw close. Fascinated by its silver sheen, its huge size – it’s nearly as long as my leg – and the untold, unimaginable story of its journey to the deep Pacific and back, I trace my index finger along the slippery slope of its nose.
And then it bites me. Hard.
I yelp and yank back my finger, oozing bright drops of blood.
This mighty spring chinook, still watching me, has delivered its primal message: Chinook are the king of all salmon and nobody’s pet.
Chinnook salmon making a comback, begin their spring migration up river »»