Salmon Fishing Rules and Procedure

The Josephine is no cruise ship. In fact, it is really only big enough to house one man. Most of the salmon fishing in the West Coast occurs close to shore, from only a few to 20 miles out. Fishermen try to come back to shore every day, though some trips can last up to five days.

Fishermen like Rich Fitzpatrick work alone, and he swears by the hook-and-line method. He claims it's the most sustainable way to catch fish, because fishing with nets leads to a lot of unnecessary and wasted bycatch.

Line fishing salmon is a busy, labor-intensive technique. Fishermen roam the ocean, looking for a run, or a school, of salmon. The lines are baited with anchovies, and once a fish is caught, the line is reeled in and the salmon is "stunned" in the head with a gaff, or a large hook. The gills are immediately removed so the fish can bleed; then it's gutted, cleaned, and packed in ice.