Smell You Later

Why A Salmon’s Most Important Sense Is Easily Affected

Look around at any tackle shop here in the Northwest and you can see the importance anglers put on scent, especially when it comes to salmon and trout fishing. There are literally hundreds of different options, each claiming to be the “one you can’t go without.” Friends, let me tell you why these scents aren’t about attracting fish, but covering up any bad smells we impart on our gear, line and bait. Often overlooked, scent is very important to my fishing success and will be to yours. And the importance of scent goes beyond fishing: the chemicals we use everyday can affect the health of fish runs.

A Salmon’s Most Important Sense
Salmon are extremely sensitive to scent. That’s how they’re able to find their way home after years and thousands of miles traveled in the Pacific Ocean. Just how sensitive you ask? Over 30 years ago, researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks placed one part human skin in 8 billion parts water, causing salmon migrations past a fixed point to stop for up to a half hour. Other research indicates that salmon can detect 1 drop of water from their home stream in 250 gallons of water. A salmon’s ability to detect smells is hundreds of times greater than the best bloodhound. So not only do salmon use scent to find their way back to home waters, but use smell to avoid danger and to find food.

And since their olfactory organs are so keen, salmon are easily affected by different pollutants. Several studies have demonstrated that mechanically plugging the nostrils of adult salmon stopped them from being able to locate their home stream. Scientists at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, WA have demonstrated over the past 6 years that pesticides and heavy metals can impair a salmon’s sense of smell just as effectively as plugging their nostrils. An ingredient in North America’s most commonly used herbicide, sold several different names (including Roundup) severely affects olfactory awareness in salmon. A 30 minute exposure to atrazine at 1 part per billion reduced the activity of olfactory neurons by more that 10 percent and reduced response to predator scents by nearly half. Exposure to such pesticides can have life and death consequences for salmon. Copper exposure caused similar numbing of juvenile salmon’s reactions to predator scents.

Dealing With B.O. (bait odor)
Nearly every thing we have with us on the boat will leave an offensive odor on our lure or bait: gas, oil, grease, sunscreen, and maybe the biggest – us. Every one of use releases serine (an amino acid) every time we touch anything on the boat. Serine is the same substance found on the skin of big-time predators such as seals and sea lions. The presence of serine will shut down a bite.

There are two ways to deal with offensive odors while salmon fishing, and I recommend using both ways: hiding them and adding cover scents. First, always use latex gloves (or nitrile gloves if you’re allergic to latex) every time to bait up. When putting on sunscreen, apply it with a pair of gloves then discard the gloves. Don’t let your bait touch the bottom of the boat, as you might as well have stepped on it (i.e., you’ve added the same scent). Also, keep and small bucket with water and Lemon Joy on the boat and wash down your knife and bait cutter after every use, and wash your hands in it. This dish soap breaks down greases and removes scents, and fish don’t seem to mind the “lemony” smell.

You’ve probably already added some cover/attractor scents to your brine, but don’t be afraid to take it a step further. There are many companies that make herring and anchovy oils designed to attract salmon. ProCure™ makes several great scents that are made with real baitfish and are widely available. I’ve had great success with them. You can buy (or make) an injector and fill the fish with oil, making the scent last longer. On your spinners, spoons and lures, try gel scents, which have a consistency that keeps them on metal and plastic baits for longer periods. I apply a very small amount (remember – its powerful and salmon have an incredible sense of smell) and re-apply every hour or so. If you want to change scents, scrub your bait clean and start with a new scent. Treat your rods, reels, line, weights and all tackle mindful of scent. I wash all my gear in a very mild Lemon Joy bath several hours before I hit the water. This can also be done after you get off the water for the day as it will help clean salt from your reels and prevent corrosion. Remember: any bad scents your equipment has on it can find its way to your bait.

Over the past several years I find myself pulling those weeds instead of spraying them with herbicide. After all, my daughter and pets play on that lawn too. To me, there’s something unnatural about a lawn that looks like the fairway of your local golf course. I urge you to stop and consider before the next time you apply chemicals to your lawn or put something down the drain. I know the fish will be thankful.


See You On The Water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)