Ep 2. Salmonzilla

In the second episode of season four of Monster Fish, titled "Salmonzilla," biologist and host Zeb Hogan ventures to the remote and wild Pacific Northwest in search of the elusive and massive Chinook salmon. Hogan is joined by a team of local experts and conservationists as he travels up the rivers of Washington state to study and understand these grand creatures that have long fascinated anglers and naturalists alike.

Hogan begins his journey by meeting with the Makah Tribe in Neah Bay, Washington, where he learns about the cultural significance of the Chinook salmon to their community and the challenges they face in protecting this species from overfishing and habitat destruction. The Makah have been harvesting Chinook salmon for thousands of years, and their traditional knowledge and fishing techniques provide valuable insights into these elusive creatures.

Hogan heads upriver from Neah Bay to the Hoh River, one of the last wild and undammed rivers in the Pacific Northwest. He meets with ecologist and fish biologist Sam Brenkman to learn more about the Chinook salmon's life cycle and the importance of the river's gravel beds for their spawning success. Brenkman has spent years studying the Chinook salmon, and his expertise and enthusiasm for these fish are evident as he shows Hogan how to identify the different stages of the salmon's life cycle.

Next, Hogan heads to the Elwha River, which was the site of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. Hogan meets with Dr. George Pess, a renowned fish biologist, to learn about the effects of dam removal on Chinook salmon populations and the long-term benefits to the river's ecosystem. The Elwha River was dammed for over 100 years, blocking the Chinook salmon's access to their spawning grounds. The removal of the dams has allowed the Chinook salmon to return to their historic habitat, providing a hopeful model for restoring salmon populations in other rivers across the region.

Hogan ends his journey in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, where he joins a team of biologists studying one of the largest Chinook salmon runs in the world. The Togiak River is home to the iconic "Salmonzilla," a massive Chinook salmon that can weigh up to 100 pounds and measure over five feet in length. Hogan and the team work to tag and measure the Chinook salmon, providing valuable data for conservation efforts and shedding light on the incredible journey these fish undertake each year.

Throughout "Salmonzilla," Hogan's passion for studying and protecting these magnificent creatures is evident. The episode not only showcases the awe-inspiring size and strength of the Chinook salmon but also highlights the important conservation efforts necessary to protect their populations for future generations. Hogan's journey through the Pacific Northwest provides a fascinating look into the science behind these creatures and the complex ecological systems that support them.