I have a brother in law who used to catch a lot of winter blackmouth off Neah Bay. The last couple of years he lived in Portland and has caught a lot of springers, both in the columbia and the tributaries. His claim is that a december blackmouth cuts and tastes as nice as most springers. I have not caught enough of either to know if this is true, but am interested in any opinions some of you might have.

I don't agree.
While I have had some fantastic Blackmouth, The upriver Springers I have caught from the Columbia have a much higher fat content and taste much better than a blackmouth, IMO.

I've caught hundreds of each and have to agree with Sky Guy. They're just built to last in the rivers all summer with layers of tasty fat!!

That said, and actively feeding blackmouth has an excellent taste all it's own that can be hard to beat.

I too believe the lower river fish are similar to blackmouth.
The up river fish store lots of fat, rate right up there with fresh albacore TUNA! IMHO.

I don't think there's any comparison. I used to catch tons of winter blackmouth, but most had pale meat and tasted watery and bland. Almost all were caught in the sound though, so maybe their diet is a little different.

Upriver springers have pretty much spoiled me. About all I keep anymore are spring and summer chinook, sockeye, and maybe an early summer run. Everything else goes to friends and neighbors.

Its possible he was comparing a lot of his springers from the lower tributaries to ocean fish that were headed to the frasier. Just was wondering about the economics and frenzy of the colombia river fishery when you can get fish much closer.

Krijack,

The LCR springer fishery isn't about economics for me. If it were, I'd just go to the treaty Indian fish camp above Bonneville and buy them for a tiny fraction of what I spend trying to catch my own. The economics of the LCR springer fishery defy all logic and reason. Anglers are out there in boats ranging in value from $5,000 to $50,000, with all the requisite gear to catch for themselves the highest quality eating salmon on earth - - costs be damnned. The springer fishery isn't about making economic sense. If it were, there would be no non-treaty commercial fishery, as the treaty fishery is capable of providing for the non-angling public demand for spring chinook salmon. Economic sense would dictate managing the fishery so that all the surplus hatchery springers are available to the recreational fishery that willingly invests an insane amount of money into fishing for them. Talk about a stimulus package!

Sg

I have had the opportunity to try salmon from many watersheds and runs. IMHO no salmon is any better eating than Columbia River spring chinook.

Last week I gave a chunk of springer to my daughter. She texted me a few days later and said. "What was that salmon? As you know I don't much care for salmon but that was wonderful." I agree.

It is all good, some is just better .. . . much better ! !

I've caught and eaten lots of both Blackmouth and C.R. Springers. I think Blackmouth are very good: oily, greasy, good flavor. But Columbia River Springers are by far the best eating salmon on the planet.

I've done some damage on both and you couldn't pay me to eat blackmouth anymore. No comparison. Springer is the only way to go for me anymore.

+1000 brother! good post

Much like TUNA along our coast.

I limit my boat by the amount of ice I carry.
Still have priceless memories.