This is a classic case of some folks confusing their opinions with facts.

Fact - some folks don't care for chums - some do.

Opinion - Chums are no good.

Fact- If you get firm fleshed chums that a have good pink/orange color the taste is very acceptable to many folks.

I know a lodge owner in B.C., who obviously can have any salmon he wants. His favorite is chums. I find that in some river systems the chums come in dark and mushy. In others they come in bright and firm. I have enjoyed many shore lunches on the Alagnak River where fresh chum was the main course.

Fact: Almost every chum I ever saw caught at Hoodsport was black, slimy and soft. I shudder to think about the black, slimy,hens with eggs dripping out of them, hauled off to sit in a car trunk all day, so the proud fishermen could take them home to smoke. If they aren't prime fish smoking them wont help much. Thats my opinion!