Atlantic Salmon

	Scientific Name	Salmo salar
	Other Names	N/A
	World Record	79 lbs, 2 oz

Description

Its body is long and slim, and in adults the caudal or tail fin is nearly square. Compared to the size of its body, a mature Atlantic salmon has a small head. While in the sea, the Atlantic salmon is dark blue on the top of its head and back; its sides are shiny silvery, and the belly is white. The fins are dark, and there are numerous black marks on its head and along its body above the lateral line.

Habitat

Atlantic salmon spend most of their lives in the ocean returning to coastal rivers to spawn. They are found in freshwater only during their spawning runs, after engaging in extensive and complex migrations throughout their range, relying on their acute sense of homing for navigation. In coastal rivers they are primarily found in deep runs and pools, seldom in fast water or riffles.

Feeding Habit

Salmon parr in rivers feed mainly on the immature and adult stages of aquatic insects. In the ocean salmon grow rapidly Feeding on crustaceans and other fish such as smelt, herring, mackerel, and cod. Landlocked salmon in lakes eat pelagic freshwater fish, primarily smelt. Neither feeds during its upstream spawning migration. which begs the question why do they take our fly's and lures.

Age and Growth

The Atlantic is the second largest of all salmon, it is capable of attaining weights to 80 pounds, over a period of eight years. The largest known fish caught by an angler is the world record, which weighed 79 pounds 2 ounces from Norway 's Tana River in 1928. The average specimens today are 20 pounds or less. Landlocked Atlantic salmon do not grow to such ultimate sizes, although they are capable of growing from 30 to 40 pounds.

Tackle and Methods

For salmon fly fishing, double handed rods of 13ft. to15ft. are the norm on big rivers and on spate rivers when in flood. Single-handed rods 9 1/2ft. to 11ft. are suitable. At least two matching fly lines will be required, a floating line and an intermediate or sinking tip line. Contact Us and one of our guides will help with your tackle selection dependant on your fishing location.

Related Species

Listed below are similar related species that customers have searched.

	Chinook Salmon		Chum Salmon
	Coho Salmon		King Salmon
	Pink Salmon		Sockeye Salmon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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