UkeeDreamin
Well-Known Member
Not impossible that it could be a hybrid, very rare for coho-chinook cross-breeding but it does occur and they are sampled from time to time. My initial reaction based on the size (20 pounder this far south in early August), spotting all along the back and some down to the lateral line and, particularly, the spotting on the dorsal fin strongly suggests chinook.
I do agree the mouth is a bit odd, some sections look black-gummed, others don’t. Tail spotting looks pretty similar to the other chinooks in the pic, but can’t see the whole thing in either pic. Clincher would be the smell - no mistaking the stink of a big chinook when you haul them on board.
If you are at all curious about it being a hybrid, i’d be willing to bet if you contacted the Pacific Biological Station and tolsd them you may have a hybrid they’d test a DNA sample for you. PM me if you want a contact.
Cheers!
Ukee
I do agree the mouth is a bit odd, some sections look black-gummed, others don’t. Tail spotting looks pretty similar to the other chinooks in the pic, but can’t see the whole thing in either pic. Clincher would be the smell - no mistaking the stink of a big chinook when you haul them on board.
If you are at all curious about it being a hybrid, i’d be willing to bet if you contacted the Pacific Biological Station and tolsd them you may have a hybrid they’d test a DNA sample for you. PM me if you want a contact.
Cheers!
Ukee