Not lure fishing but...

softie said:

Super fish Andy, I thought it was some kind of 'cheeta' trout type hybrid with the reddish markings.....but the kype(?), well I know some very good brown trout develop them but then so do the salmon. Corker of a fish anyhow. Some say that the salmon does not feed when in the FW......did thoses maggots scare him into an attack you think??

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Mr Zzippy said:

It is a male (cock) salmon. cock fish develop more pronounced snouts (or kype) when entering freshwater prior to reproduction. the kype is used by males (cock) to show their dominant characteristics, as they do not feed in freshwater it does not impair them. its also worth mentioning that although we fish for salmon when they enter freshwater and supposedly do not eat, the reason they are caught is the aggression and territorial instinct in the fish to chase of other competitive cock fish or "threat". the only way they can do this is with there mouth!! hence fishing flies in certain ways to induce the fish to "test" said item with its mouth. the word test has been collectively changed to "take". the reason this fish was in this tributary is simple.....this is where it was born! still much un-discovered but truth is (from extensive tagging and rearing programmes) the fish will return to its birth to spawn, i personally still find this awe-inspiring and simply incredible. the colouration is due to the fish being in the river system for around 2 weeks, the male fish are the first to arrive at the spawning grounds and usually outnumber the hen (female fish). here is a myth and quite interesting... some anglers call theese coloured fish REDS. most probably confused with sockeye salmon which do actually turn quite bright/crimson red. but our salmon don`t follow this trait of the sockeye. The truth is in the spelling which correct is REDD and is the nest the hen fish makes prior to releasing her eggs in the depression created in forming the redd. for further proof that salmon do not feed in freshwater is to look at their physiology, namely their stomach and the changes it goes through. The stomach actually disintergrates leaving more room for sperm/eggs they live off their stored fat reserves in their tissues resulting in dis-colouration, a breakdown in the cells of the flesh and are considered poor eating value when they are at this stage (they do not fight particuarly well either and should be returned immidiately with minimal contact) most salmon in supermarkets are farmed in saltwater purely to remain pink/coral flesh on the inside and silver on the outside (yet taste crap!!) the ultimate for salmon anglers is a fresh-run fish like a bar of silver still carrying sea lice, i must addmit to having kept quite a few cock fish (which largely outnumber the hen fish) but practice and preach the release of all hen fish. in fact the estate i guide for states this so people are aware prior to booking! sorry to go on guys, i only wanted to give a bit of an insight into the salmon!!! i blame blockhead for catching it!!! :lol: :lol:

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Blockhead said:

Me too. What a great reply. I am a bit confused though as I'm sure it wasn't my skill that hooked the Salmon, but it did take a double maggot offering trotted along the bottom which seems strange if they don't eat in FW.

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