Alaska Salmon Fishing PINK + CHUM | Taste Testing Candied Salmon & Smoked Roe

Come along with us as we target Alaska's most abundant salmon, Pinks (AKA Humpy Salmon). We spend the day at two local creeks and head back to the cabin once we land a colorful spawning Chum. After processing and brining the fish, we start up the smoker to make spruce tip and honey glazed candied salmon and smoked roe. We taste and compare the Pinks and Chum and give our final verdict.
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- Eric & Arielle Illia
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[@BRK-B-all-the-way]

The first time ever that a cook tried their own food on film and admitted that they didn't like it. Usually they're like "OMG, it is the greatest thing in the world.....super delicious". A huge thanks for your honesty!

[@placitas52]

I have bought Chum salmon and tried cooking different ways with different sauces and it was the worst tasting fish I've ever eaten. Alaskan natives refer to them as dog fish as that's what they feed their sled dogs.

[@timothyradch4211]

@@placitas52 As someone who has been catching them my whole life there is only one recipe that make chum good, it includes baking it. But really does transform the taste of the fish.

[@initialfaust6888]

@@Josh-bf6ht every time i have tried chum salmon i realized i would rather drink 2 month old bong water than eat it again....

[@cameronalbright4578]

@@placitas52 ⁰⁰⁰⁰⁰0⁰⁰⁰0⁰⁰

[@blackberrylady9265]

I Totally Agrees 👌🏾 👍🏾 🤣🤣

[@Victor47930]

I admire how you guys are up on all the complicated fishing regulations and follow them to help maintain the fisheries - and I'm learning so much about smoking salmon - especially the what not to do. Thanks.

[@tobysworld4395]

kitty is happy to just hang out and let Eric hold her. She needs more cameos! :)

[@lochvonsavoy2936]

The smoked eggs you have you can put in food processor with olive oil, garlic, oregano and soft inside of bread, blend all together and you have yourself an awesome bread spread!

[@northerlea4823]

The chicken that ran off with the eggs 😂

[@southsidecarly7427]

I know wasn’t that funny! Then another chicken went bookin after him😁

[@valorrelics]

So happy i wasnt the only one that seen that lmao

[@IyaDulce]

That cracked me up too!

[@viviv6537]

I didn't notice it, at what time?

[@greeneyedgirlina]

I saw it too, she must be high up on the pecking order!

[@joshuadavids8535]

When i lived in washington state we would catch chum/dog salmon and most considered it trash fish. my wife made it into squaw candy. basically cut it up into rectangles or long strips if you prefer. marinate it in a mixture of soy and brown sugar and then toss it on a dehydrator and you got squaw candy. my daughters loved it and would go through 5 pounds of it a day as kids. there are many recipes and ways to make it, if you all are interested i would suggest giving it a try. it turns out great, and make a great snack/lunch when out hunting or fishing.

[@placitas52]

Thanks, a way to eat that fish. Chum had the worst taste for salmon I have ever had and I love fish.

[@andreeadumitru4764]

This year had its setbacks for you guys, but content-wise and food experiment wise you are killing the game!

[@ashleyhanson5001]

Yes....very well said. I completely agree!!!

[@anciskold541]

To clean the eggs from the sack; 2 litres of water, 0.2 litre vinegar and eggsacks. Put water, vinegar and eggs in a large bowl,. Use a handmixer for 1-2 minutes and the sack will stick to the mixer. Rinse and pour clean water on the eggs, use the hand mixer. Repeat until the eggs are clean. Put them in a colander... Salt to taste. If you freeze the eggs don't salt before freezing. Perfect as a cold sauce together with sourcream, a touch of lemon, dill leaves (finely chopped) and, if you like it, grated or very finely chopped (red) onion. Perfect to grilled salmon.

[@rogerbettencourt9654]

That sounds delicious.

[@verabolton]

Yeah, I was wondering why did you eat the eggs with the sack? You just need to google it to see how to clean the eggs ...

[@joshaklese4969]

I'm down:)

[@nrordono0425]

🤔 eggs should not be smoked.

[@moogiealways3016]

I applaud you fishing the right way - of course releasing hump snags is easy on camera but I suspect you do it off camera as well. This is the sort of food fishing I am totally in support of.

[@debbiecollins1154]

I absolutely love you guys. Love seeing all your adventures but I really love watching your homesteading videos. You both nailed the Alaska way of life. Can’t wait to see the next big project for you guys. Sending lots of love to you both all the way from VA.

[@judemelroses9920]

Love the Bigfoot sign.😆 The lake looks so soothing. ✨

[@lylebobroske5172]

Yes, me too. Nice reminder.Karen from Canada

[@gregkerr725]

When I commercial fished up there in the 70's we called Chum Salmon...Dog Salmon. I figured at the time it was because they had some gnarly teeth. Later I learned they were called "Dog" Salmon by the natives because they ran later in the season, and by then the natives had put up salmon for themselves and used the Chum run to put up food for the dogs. We also made good money on the Chums because they have abundant eggs. I went into one of the canneries we sold too, and the removed the skeins of eggs and packed them in multiple layers divided by layers of salt in small boxes and sent them to Japan where they brought big bucks.

[@kwong7058]

This is hilarious, the opening 'do it' segment is just so unexpected from you guys.

[@Stantorr]

Supertroopers maple syrup chugging contest

[@creigbutler7539]

U people aren’t Alaskans u r from WA or OR. Alaskans don’t eat trash fish!!! But Awesome for eating what u catch...’

[@creigbutler7539]

One other thing for u cheechakos is quit UTubing outsiders like u have lived here for a long time. U r to Fufu to b a Alaskan. Ak lifer

[@arianaljc]

They may not be lifers in AK, but at least they are trying. They moved there a couple years ago, they also have 3 different properties there, and one that is way out the road. They are doing a lot better than the people who think it will be this lovey dovey mountain life.

[@richlabombard6780]

@@creigbutler7539 Funny thing: nobody asked for your opinion.

[@CDJMiniRanch]

I really like that you not only show catching, but cooking and give your honest opinion of your finished product. I really enjoy watching you both.

[@michaelcunningham4587]

I loved the underwater shots! the cat says he will take those eggs. those are for him. the last 30 seconds of content is amazing!

[@eileenbenninger2644]

The eggs, fry with onions and garlic and green peppers. Oh yummmmm.

[@mariahthomas2878]

Just over here laughing at her saying "I paid $20 for you. You're mine!" I say that to my dog all the time. He still loves the hubs more... haha

[@hardenmama1800]

Wow! Outstanding video. That chum was HUGE! You guys are getting so close to 200,000 subscribers - so happy for you! Amazing videography, drone footage, adventures, creativity, skills...thank you for sharing with us!

[@ToniReactz]

their honesty deserved so much in this world! godbless u both ,, ur living the life i been dreaming of!

[@tiachandler5350]

The cat laying in Eric's arms like a baby was.just to dang.cute.lol i.laughed at her little spoiled self hahahhaha

[@2centprofitgmailcom]

With closed captions on... The splashing fish they let go was dubbed as "clapping" and when they gave the chickens fish eggs the chickens clucking was "laughter"

[@TheVanessa220]

I like you guys honesty about the eggs. Some people would have been like oh it’s really good knowing it tastes like crap,. Thanks for the honesty.

[@xingcat]

"You're my cat, I paid $20 for you." LOL! My niece says that when her cat (who she left with my Mom when she went away to college) hangs out on Mom's lap rather than her lap. Cats do not care about who owns them, because they know they own everyone and everything in the house themselves. :)

[@zephheine9681]

🤣🤣truth

[@oldmanx1234]

@@zephheine9681 I'd rather have a pet lizard.

[@zephheine9681]

@@oldmanx1234 nothing wrong with that😊

[@jamiec4392]

It cracked me up when the chicken took the clump of salmon eggs and ran 😂

[@bc30cal99]

Love the laid back cat at the end - it's having a wonderful day! Good to see Eric with the shoo bear once again. Stay well folks.

[@beinlovewithlife]

Arielle could not wait to get those waders wet! 🐟🏃💨 This video brought back many exciting memories for the hubby. He enjoyed some of his childhood fishing in Alaska and swears by the Gamakatsu #8 Russian River fly hook with bucktail. Really awesome video, y'all.

[@judya.shroads8245]

I love watching the fishing, smoking and canning. They do so much work at home. Great.

[@simonjandrell5897]

Damn that Smoked Fish looked Incredible

[@PaullaWells]

Now that was enjoyable. Every bit. With a touch of 🤣 mixed in! ❤️ To all those who did NOT watch to the end: I must say you are missing out!

[@jake9705]

15:33 -- LOL! Such an adorable kitty 😍

[@alisonhorton7806]

Sat on my bead at 4:15 am (UK) watching, and my cat could hear the chickens through my headphones 😂😂 she's currently guarding the end of my bed ready to pounce! 😂😂😻😻🙊 love these vids! Xx :)

[@mandykempen2355]

I absolutely love your little bits of humor 💗 thank you for doing this I have learned quite a bit from you. 💗

[@DK-es2mh]

10:29 “Jackpot. See y’all” 😆

[@petalss5325]

omg the black cat just stayed there all the time while Eric and Arielle were talking xDD so cute!

[@dannyray1950]

Montana Creek hasn't changed much since I fished there in 1978. Brought back good memories.

[@MrBethuz]

there is not a more relaxed cat on the planet :) love it.

[@StGroovy]

If you don't like the fish, I'm pretty sure the cat is willing to help you out.

[@ellanieswender1353]

The chicken running away with the eggs 🤣🤣 that made me laugh

[@MichaelPNW1982]

Ethics in fishing. KZbinrs after my own heart! 😀 Great job, you guys!!!!

[@IyaDulce]

Your kitty is so cute and he looked so relaxed! I love it!

[@pinkyfromhaughtfarms6550]

That cat is just too much!🤣🖤

[@UrbanHomesteadMomma]

That big chum sure is a pretty fish. Your so blessed to have such abundance around you ❤️

[@Majston]

"I mustash you a question, but I'm shaving it for later" - Sean Connery

[@klancyjones726]

Great fishing ! The pinks are my favorite salmon. They are great pan fried. The smoked salmon looks absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing.

[@lisa12345ism]

Hey guys.... Love the video's I didn't hear a word you said after 15:35, I can't take my eyes off the cat. So relaxed and enjoying being held by dad while watching mom talk. I love it.

[@Jan-R-]

Arielle is extremely competent at catching and skinning the salmon & chum. Very impressed. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@dominickriegle8447]

Absolutely love the Super Troopers reference at the beginning. I was like are they really going to chug syrup before going fishing....LMAO!!! Love the stache Eric!!!

[@josephlwallssr6166]

Wow!!! Look at that Chum! The colors on it are fantastic!! So big!!

[@valoriegriego5212]

The Chamber of Commerce should sponsor yall...you make folks want to see your home state in person!🙂

[@ayalienee8634]

That Chicken didn't hesitate after the first egg 😂 pick it up and run for it! Gourmet Chicken 🐔

[@P8intballhustler]

Awesome fishing trip. Love the Super Troopers reference. Awesome movie.

[@lularoecortneyniederer8444]

I love that you didn’t like it and admitted it. Yes!

[@user-sn4qe8xs1t]

Belarus молодцы!!! хорошая пара, всегда вместе, всегда креатив, вкусно готовите, слюни текут))

[@mp45code]

Glorious... this *Super Troopers* opening from the sirup challange scene! :-)

[@jonmccarty3116]

That cat is ultra-chill!

[@loveis110706]

"I PAID $20 BUCKS FOR YOU. YOU'RE MINE KITTY!" 🎯 Arielle I FEEL YOUR PAIN girl! My husband will tell you he does NOT like our two cats but he treats them just like Eric. Babying them and they LOOOOOVE him more than me 😒 They're MY KITTYS....ugh! 🙄🤣

[@4stringbloodyfingers]

that cat! that cat is killing mee! haha! what a life!

[@Nekotrekk]

The cat was so cute. She loved just being held by Eric ♥️

[@chuckyboy7940]

If you dont like thd eggs put a bit ofborax to solidify them and we make roe bags, a small ball in a mesh sack an oldnylon works, tie with thread and the salmon go nuts for it as bait. We used a bar rig. Or trolling.

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

Yummy.. salmon snacks.. and roe... Those chum skeins are huge..!

[@gideonleroux7519]

You are so fortunate , one of my bucket list items....enjoy!

[@luissgabrielc]

Hi guys! I’m Brazilian fan! It’s really fun to see you’ll in this land, for me here it’s a beautiful dream! In Brazil we have many recipes and tips that you would like to add, especially with meat and fish 😊 as we say “hmmm uma caldeirada” 🤤 abraços!

[@brendapaul5950]

Boy, those chickens and dogs eat really well😋😉😄

[@50Acres]

Wow impressive looking fish! Thats got to be so much fun when they are biting like that.

[@loriyamaoka7498]

I just finished watching your video on finishing the counter/ backsplash. ✌

[@sethngo2924]

Love the underwater shot! Please do more! Thanks!

[@KarmaTribe]

Lol that sweet cat, I love them dearly. My female Pixie Dust (named her that because she rolls in the dirt like a horse) loves my husband with a howling scream if he doesn't pay attention to her. She's my cat though, traitor. LOL Glad to see you guys having some fun.

[@bevanjacobs8438]

Bvhb)

[@Alex-fi9vb]

So refreshing to get an actual honest review about the food.

[@thyunholysinner5389]

Awesome that you guys released the foul hooked fish. Great sportsmanship. It’s the law here as well even if it wasn’t I would still release as it wasn’t a fair fight. Great vid. Pink salmon is underway caught 2 yesterday

[@crossbucklehomestead2908]

“Who wants a mustache ride?” Haha. Love your videos and wish we had salmon in Indiana...that aren’t frozen from Costco!

[@garyc6183]

Much respect to your wife. My ex wouldn't even touch store bought prepared meat because it was too "icky". She also said that she wished she had grown up during the Little House on the Prairie times. I used to tell he that fantasy would end the first time she had to use the bathroom.

[@tarras3292]

Aww y’all fur baby is precious and thank you for sharing your smoked salmon experience 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@kayannroach9462]

Awwwwww he's holding the kitty just like a baby

[@chrisjohnson2569]

Thank you for always sharing "All" aspects of you subsistence lifestyle. You, animals & land all benefit! The fish in smoker, looks tasty. Have a good week! 🌞

[@4philipp]

Interesting you call it “subsistence” lifestyle. What would be the opposite of that word? Gluttony? Unchecked consumerism?

[@rdvideoclips]

Another excellent video. The pink salmon looked really good and red in color, surprising for pinks, which are usually overlooked . But your chickens must taste excellent with their varied diet. Also, I really like the cat !

[@johnwalterhoani9092]

Simple Living Alaska, any wounded salmon, can still be cleaned, and eaten, you can also check, for worms, and mercury, levels! And once, cleaned and cooked, your good to go! ############## Good Luck! Happy Eating! ##############

[@davidasimkosr4641]

Great fishing, great cooking, not so great eating salmon eggs, but outstanding eating smoked salmon, God Bless....

[@tubedallday1457]

Omg, i love that social distancing sign. How funny.

[@lenalyles2712]

Love good smoked salmon. We coat in honey and a little orange juice along with salt. It's so good.

[@Tarunggammeng]

I love fried salmon...

[@bradpolmateer4965]

Lol any chance I have I'll eat smoked fish

[@paula.2422]

I use all the eggs to make fishing roe using Pro Cure in fire red.....to catch more salmon. I love grilling fresh pinks and chums...Fresh being the operative word. The chum you caught was a little passed it's prime and that's why the meat was so white. It should be an almost light pinky orange color and I think you would have liked it. 👍

[@SwagPad]

Simple Living Alaska, Wild Wonderful off-grid, OfftheRanch, My Self-reliance are some of the blessings in youtube.

[@bybbah]

You guys ,I just like you ,just so cool and real and I wish I could be there .good discovery,good adventure. Thankyou.

[@peggsargent7192]

Lol 😂 that’s great it’s time to watch my friends from Alaska !!

[@haydenstarnes21]

"I paid twenty bucks for you! You're my kitty 😡" 🤣

[@yuyudebaba]

Your chickens are lucky enough to eat fresh fish all the time

[@WillTheFrozen]

the chillest cat evr

[@AK_Vortex]

hey you two, you will not be disappointed with Silvers or Coho. They're great for salmon steaks, salmon salad sandwiches, smoked salmon, canned salmon, jerky, etc. They are my second favorite next to the Sockeye. Don't miss out on the chance to go grab your limit of Coho/Slivers. You won't regret it.

[@jimlong527]

My mouth is watering, what a great fishing and smoking day.

[@austinholm-mcrae2777]

Those Pinks were beautiful. I'm a born and raised Alaskan, and I've only ever kept dime-bright, ocean caught Pinks, and for having been river caught those were amazing Pinks! I need to smoke my last batch of Silvers and Pinks from last season. I only have one pack left of smoked silvers, so I need to get on it. The Coho can't come soon enough!!!

[@haydehabdolahian7691]

Oh my god what a healthy food ! salmon yam 👍and so many of them 🤔

[@kylehazachode]

At the restaurant we used smoked salt for the salmon roe brine for smoked salmon roe. We made ikura with a brine made from soy sauce, dashi, and salt; which is my favorite way of eating salmon roe.

[@shantalsheldon1827]

I have to stop watching your videos, lol jk. After watching this about 2 weeks ago, I couldn't handle it anymore. I was on the hunt for bagel, cheese and salmon. Paid a fortune for smoked salmon and trout down here in Southern California... but finally got my fix. Grew up in Washington state and smoked fish was always on hand and didn't cost as much as what I paid today. Haha. Enjoy

[@wilwilliamson8831]

I think the cat stole the show at the end 😻

[@jonathanavila9699]

Immediately liked because of the intro

[@shakeme3290]

I like that nothing ever seems to go to waste and that you guys are always experimenting. I like it.. I like it :)

[@MoneypitHomestead]

You two are my very favorite you tubers ! Just found you guys a couple days ago and I can’t get anything done for wanting to watch from the beginning of your journey... I’m half way there. You two know so much stuff. I am curious Eric of the many things you know were you once a chef for a healthy restaurant your presentation is so beautiful and so healthy. An aerial you know so much too with all the garden. Thanks so much for wanting to share your life with me. Again I love you guys, Lisa from Moneypit Homestead ❤️

[@russf6572]

Looking at that picture, I can almost smell the 'stink'. The SECOND they enter fresh water, they start to die, and when they look like that? They smell like it! 🤣

[@blackberrylady9265]

Thank u very much for being honest about the taste 😋 👌🏾💯💯💯😃😃👌🏾

[@katiea.584]

That was fun to watch for 3 generations of my Family 😁 Thanks for sharing 🖖☮❣🌱🌱🌱🐟😷

[@maize1126]

I love the bloopers

[@vickywasson1943]

The head is good for making soup. Yummy!