TM,

A tule king is a lower Columbia River (or tributary) fall chinook salmon that enters the Columbia (like now and the next few weeks) very shortly before spawning. They are very close to sexual maturity, so many of them are dark, or beginning to darken. However, don't throw your fish away right away. Table quality varies among tules. Some are very bland, and some, especially larger ones, carry a fair amount of lipids, and have a fairly rich taste. At least this is what I've heard from some fairly good salmon snobs who mostly eat springs, summers, and URBs (upriver brights).

Sincerely,

Salmo g.