Calico Dog

This is a chum salmon, locally known as a "dog" salmon, probably because in the past they were often dried and used for feeding dog teams.

After they leave salt water and enter the river, chums start changing color. The most noticeable features are vertical pink, green, and purple bars. These have resulted in another common name: "calico salmon." Male calicos also begin to develop hooked snouts and large teeth, and a fighting attitude, as they make their way upstream to the spawning grounds.

It is a one-way trip to the spawning grounds. The fish are practically swimming skeletons by the time they reach their destination. Note how this one's tail is rotting away. Also note his long teeth.

Does this make you, too, think of the poem The Duel by Eugene Field? The gingham dog and the calico cat, Side by side on the table sat ...If so, click here for the complete poem. Whimsy is the privilege of posting this site, from time to time.

©Photo by Anton Littau - with an Olympus Camedia C-2100

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