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[norm_2]

My question is, you see a jumping fish on say the Vedder, how do you know what type it is?  If it is huge, it will be a spring.  But what happens if it is smaller?  What details give it away?

Thanks.

[buncranabop]

I usually use my eyes 

[NiceFish]

i usually just say its a steelhead or a sockeye regardless

[Tex]

Colouration and spots (or lack thereof).

Chum are easy, they *usually* look like tigers in the river with their stripes.
I'm assuming you're mostly referring to coho vs. chinook (and specifically jack springs vs. coho).
Jacks will are typically heavily spotted across the back, and usually have very spotted tails too.  They also darken quicker than coho will.
Coho will be more bar-coloured (ie. less variation in colour) compared to springs, in my experience.
Of course there are exceptions to the above! 

It really just comes from seeing a ton of fish over the years - when you or someone else has a dead fish on the beach, spend some time admiring it.  Note the colourations, patterns, and shape... each salmon is actually quite distinct, and it becomes more obvious the more of them you see and study.

Good luck!

Tex

[Bently]

Certain species jump certain ways, ask any commercial salmon fisherman, they'll tell you.....let's just say , when you've been sitting in position in the Straits or anchored out on the Blue Line for over 30 yrs you get to know how they jump.

[alwaysfishn]

Certain species jump certain ways, ask any commercial salmon fisherman, they'll tell you.....let's just say , when you've been sitting in position in the Straits or anchored out on the Blue Line for over 30 yrs you get to know how they jump.

I agree. Chum always seem to jump sideways and land on their side while coho either just roll partially out of the water or jump out completely and flip as they land. Can't say I've seen many springs jump....

[DragonSpeed]

I agree. Chum always seem to jump sideways and land on their side while coho either just roll partially out of the water or jump out completely and flip as they land. Can't say I've seen many springs jump....

When the springs do jump, they come down like a tonne of bricks if they are sideways.  Usually they just "shark" up and down again.

[Bently]

I think it's safe to say , people know what sockeye look like when they jump 

[DragonSpeed]

I think it's safe to say , people know what sockeye look like when they jump 

I noticed that not many actually jump in the river unless they are aggravated by line touching them or an errant hook.

The last jump many seem to make is onto shore to accept my invitation to come home.

[Bently]

I noticed that not many actually jump in the river unless they are aggravated by line touching them or an errant hook.

The last jump many seem to make is onto shore to accept my invitation to come home.

You must have to much sand and gravel in your eyes

[BigFisher]

If It jumps out tail first its a Coho, If it does 3 backflips its a sockeye and if It does a Triple-Axel jump its most definately a spring. I hope this helps.

[Bently]

If It jumps out tail first its a Coho, If it does 3 backflips its a sockeye and if It does a Triple-Axel jump its most definately a spring. I hope this helps.

  let me see ,

           coho =skateboarder
   
        sockeye = freestyle ski jumper

       chinnook = figure skater

  what shall we call the humps and the dogs ??

[Fish Assassin]

  what shall we call the humps and the dogs ??

Humps and dogs

[burnaby]

dogs = hockey player