#252624 - 08/20/04 07:22 PM
What is a Tule king?
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Returning Adult
Registered: 08/03/01
Posts: 311
Loc: Redmond
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I just got back from the Columbia and caught a 28 and a 32 pound Tule chinook. My buddy said to throw them back, but I kept them. When I got home, I asked my brother if he wanted some, and he said if it was tule king, he didn't want any. All the kings we saw caught in the river were tules, and everyone was keeping them. What exactly is a tule king? I tried to contact the fish biologist with the WDFW but have had no response. Anyone know what they really are, and if they're not very good eating, how are they smoked? I hate to throw out that much fish.
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#252625 - 08/20/04 08:22 PM
Re: What is a Tule king?
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River Nutrients
Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 13523
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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.
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#252626 - 08/21/04 02:38 AM
Re: What is a Tule king?
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Juvenille at Sea
Registered: 11/22/02
Posts: 103
Loc: Poulsbo
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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.
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#252631 - 08/23/04 07:25 PM
Re: What is a Tule king?
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Returning Adult
Registered: 08/03/01
Posts: 311
Loc: Redmond
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Thanks for the info. The hen was paler in color and not so great smoked. The buck was much pinker and firmer, but haven't tasted it yet. I was trying to figure out if a Tule was every chinook that didn't spawn in the Hanford Reach or if there was a bunch of different kinds of kings, one of which is a Tule. Anyone know how they got the name?
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#252632 - 09/09/04 02:53 AM
Re: What is a Tule king?
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Alevin
Registered: 09/02/04
Posts: 17
Loc: Lower Columbia-Near Chinook
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Yep, we down here on the Lower Columbia refer to any Chinook that's not a Chromer to be a Tule. We'll normally not boat them cause you won't know what you're getting till ya cut them open. Have had plenty that have still cut fairly red, but also too many that have cut very light and with very soft flesh, Hens and Bucks. Why keep a Tule when ya can slay a URB?
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