I haved fished at the mouth of the Columbia for 10 years and have caught many upriver brights as well as local Tules headed for the Chinook river. Most of them are excellent table fare and they smoke very well. Every Tule I have ever caught has been only slightly dark. We're not talking about black, decaying salmon here; just ones with a little bronze color to them and sometimes a developed kype (jaw). Your buddies missed out on some good fish. Did they fight like they were worn out fish?? Didn't think so! Many of the Tules I've caught are screamers. Good job! The fish you caught are worthy king salmon and deserve nothing less than being taken care of as proper table fare.