Aka: Humpies

The Pink is the smallest of the true salmon and is a member of the ‘Salmonidae’ family. They are sometimes called “Humpies” due to a large hunchback that occurs during spawning runs.  Not as highly sought after as some of the other true salmon, there is still a commercial market. Mostly sold canned, and they are valued for caviar, especially in Japan. As far as sport fishing goes, not too many people set out for Pinks.  They are mostly a byproduct of fishing for another species, like Silvers, whose runs coincide in most places.

Color: Deep blue to green on back, silver sides, white belly in ocean. Spawning males are red with blotchy brownish green patches
Size 3 – 5 lbs average, 10 – 18 inches Up to 12 lbs

Method: Cast and retrieve flies / tackle or drift eggs, ocean trolling

Gear: Light-action spinning and fly rods

Range: Aleutians, Gulf of Alaska, Southcentral, Southeast

Season: July to September in most salmon streams

Table fare: Good smoked or canned, best quality when near or in saltwater

Record: 12 lbs. 9 oz. Moose River, by Steven A. Lee, 1974

Appearance

Pinks in the sea are steel blue to blue-green on the back, silver on the sides and white on the belly, with large oval spots on the back, adipose fin and both lobes of the caudal fin. Breeding males become dark on the back and red with brownish green blotches on the sides. The mouth, with normally very little oblique shape, becomes greatly deformed and the spine becomes curved to a humpback. Breeding females are similar but less distinctly colored.

Location

Pinks can be found as far north as the Arctic Ocean and as far southeast as the Aleutians.  Fishable areas include the Gulf of Alaska, Alaska Peninsula, Kenai Peninsula and the southeastern panhandle.

Angling Method

Pinks are readily caught on the same gear and tackle that works for Cohos.  Considering the smaller size of Pinks, light-action spinning and fly rods offer the most excitement.  Spinners, eggs, streamers and spoons all work.  Ocean trolling with spoons and bait is also productive.  No matter which Alaska salmon stream you fish, there’s a chance you will catch a Pink while trying for another species. 

Life History

To reproduce, the female builds a redd by lying on her side.  Using her tail, she displaces silt and light gravel to produce a deep trough. The male spends most of its time driving off intruding males. When the redd is completed, the female drops into it, immediately followed by the male. They open their mouths, vibrate and release eggs and sperm. One female can carry between 800 and 2,000 eggs.  The eggs are covered by female as she digs a new redd at the upstream edge of the previous one.
The eggs hatch during winter and the young fish, called alevins at this stage, receive nutrition from the still attached egg sacs.  Upon emerging from the gravel in spring, the fry immediately move downstream and remain inshore for a few months before going out to sea.  However, unlike most other salmon, young pinks spend very little time in freshwater and will reach the ocean by fall. 
After about 18 months, the spawning migration to the natal river or stream occurs, but this species seems a little confused, and sometimes uses streams hundreds of miles from their intended destination.  Pinks have the shortest lifespan of all salmon, usually on two years.

Angling History

Like all the things we know here in Alaska, the Native Alaskans knew them long ago. In the 'Inuktitut' language Pinks were known as 'Amoktit','Atakak','Ikalugruak' or 'Tixtiq' depending on where in the state you were. In Alutiiq' (Prince William Sound), it was 'Amarturpiaq'and 'Haida' knew it as 'Ts'iit'aan'. The early native people preferred the larger males for smoking or fish stew (jum). Pinks weren't utilized as much as Chum Salmon because of the timing of their run, their smaller size and higher fat content decreased shelf life. The small heads, tails and backbones were generally not used.  Today, Pinks are ranked one step above Chums by the commercial fishing industry.
Although not nearly as acrobatic as the Silver or as tasty as a Red, they are still fun to catch and the large males can be good smoked or canned. Anything we don't want to eat we release unharmed so that it can continue it's part in the cycle of life and re-enter the food chain where all species play an equally important role.

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