Silvery, Shimmery Salmon Quiz | Food & Drink

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the family Salmonidae, there are several species of fish. If you went to a salmon banquet, which fish would you NOT find on the menu?

Answer: Tilapia

Except for tilapia, the species named are all members of Salmonidae, as are chars and graylings. Tilapia, however, is a name shared by many other fish from the tilapine cichlid tribe, of the family Cichlidae. They are more of a freshwater fish than the ocean-going salmon and not as healthy to eat.

2. Some of the richest primitive tribes were the Indian tribes of the Pacific Northwest coast of America, because of the abundance of easily obtained food. Some tribes had a ritual involving salmon bones. What did they do with the bones in this ritual?

Answer: Threw them back in the rivers and ocean

In many coastal tribes, salmon was of huge importance to their culture. When the salmon came back upstream from the ocean each year to spawn at their birthplace, there were great feasts of roasted salmon. The salmon were so precious that they would save the bones to be returned to the sea, to insure that they would return again the next year.

3. The Indian tribes at Celilo on the Columbia River were gifted with a wonderful way to catch enough of the returning salmon, to be able to trade with faraway tribes that came for the precious fish. What did Celilo have?

Answer: Falls and cascades on the river

Celilo Falls had been a traditional fishing ground for thousands of years. The tribe built fishing platforms over the falls, and the men risked life and limb to go far out over the falls to spear and dipnet the salmon as they jumped over the falls, returning to their birthplace to spawn and die. Sadly this was ended with the building of The Dalles Dam in the 1950's. Celilo Falls was submerged, although the dam included fish ladders so that the fish could continue to travel upstream. Before the dams, and white man's pollution, it is estimated that about 20 million salmon a year passed by this location.
Traditionally the tribe had racks for drying fish. as well as preparing it different ways.

Today the Celilo Longhouse holds an annual First Salmon Feast, they roast salmon, sing traditional songs, and dance traditional dances all to the thanks and glory of this central part of their culture, the salmon. Anyone can attend.

4. When the famous explorers, Lewis and Clark, reached the Indian tribes of the Columbia River in October 1805, the Indian tribes fed them well. But for the main dish, they usually only had two choices. What were they?

Answer: Dried salmon or dog meat

Many times along the expedition, William Clark couldn't eat when all that was to be had was dog meat; Meriwether Lewis, on the other hand didn't seem to mind.
So at Celilo, it is said, Lewis couldn't stand the dried salmon on the open racks with flies and sand on it, so it seems that Lewis ate dog meat, and Clark ate salmon!

Fresh roasted salmon wasn't an option, as October wasn't the season for that more appealing dish.

5. Because of the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State, Indian tribes of the upper Columbia River were not only deprived of salmon, a food staple, but also age-old customs, concerning salmon.

Answer: True

Grand Coulee Dam was built between 1933 and 1942. Unfortunately, it, and near-by Chief Joseph Dam did not include fish ladders, a way for salmon to continue their journey upstream. The tribes of the upper Columbia River were not happy to be deprived for many years, of salmon and the salmon feasts that accompanied the yearly salmon run as well as the dried salmon to feed them through the winter.

6. In the area of the Columbia River Gorge, where the river had to cut through the Cascade Mountains, people have learned not to let their dogs eat raw salmon. Why not?

Answer: It will kill dogs

Salmon in this area carry a bacteria deadly to dogs. In modern days, add e-coli and various metals and pollutants dumped into the river, means that sushi is a bad idea for anyone. My family has lost dogs by people innocent of this knowledge giving raw salmon to our dogs. It is a painful death...poor Lucy.

7. Atlantic salmon are known as a delicious meat as well as a fighting breed, making them great for what kind of fishing?

Answer: Sport Fishing

Scotland is famous for sport fishing for Atlantic salmon. With their power and speed, they make a thrilling experience for fishermen who do it for the sport, as well as for a wonderful meat. Some Scottish large estates offer opportunities for visitors to Scotland for sporting activities which include both fishing and hunting. They are often thought of as expensive sports, but opportunities are available at many locations for the less affluent sportsman.
Expeditions are led by guides called 'gillies'.

8. Unlike Pacific salmon, most Atlantic salmon do not die after spawning, but try to return to the ocean or lakes from which they came.

Answer: True

Atlantic salmon that survive spawning in their birthplace will try to return to the ocean or lake, but few make it - only about 10%. This is probably due to the weakened fish facing many obstacles in trying to return. One obstacle may be the fishermen.

But Atlantic salmon, like Pacific salmon, make a very nutritious meat for humans to consume.

9. Smoked salmon is an ageless favorite. There are many ways to smoke a salmon, such as a smokehouse or a smoker. There is a method of smoking your catch without either of the above. This method uses a certain item which you can purchase, or make your own; this method uses one of these choices. Which would you pick, to make a tasty salmon?

Answer: Cedar Plank

A cedar plank is a way to make a flavorful salmon. Make sure the plank is free from chemical treatments, then soak it in water for about an hour. Put the soaked plank on a barbeque grill and close the lid. Soon the plank will begin to sizzle and smoke, that's when you add the seasoned fish and get ready to enjoy. You can use other hardwood, such as alder or apple.

Many people of the world have enjoyed salmon and other meats smoked by any means they may have.

10. This is about a "very unique" country in the far north of the world. Some call it part of Scandinavia, but it is not really considered a part. Traditionally, salmon has been an important part of the diet of the people of this country. Since it also has a unique language, with unique spellings, I will give you the name of some of the salmon dishes, and you will work out what country it is, from the spellings. In this language, the accent is on the first syllable. Ready? Lohikeitto (Salmon soup). Kalikukko (Fish pie in rye bread crust). Graavilohi (Salt-cured salmon). Which country enjoys these dishes?

Answer: Finland

In addition to Finland's salmon and other fish dishes, they also have the unique opportunity to include reindeer on their menu, as well as moose and other animals.

Their language is not like other nearby countries, indicating a different origin of the people. Only two other languages are related, one is Hungarian.

One dish, not included above (because I don't know how to spell it), sounds like Loxiloda, but it was a dish my Finnish grandmother and aunt made, and it wasn't written down. It was like scalloped potatoes with salmon and onions...yum!

Source: Author mpkitty

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Silvery, Shimmery Salmon Trivia Quiz

Salmon is an enjoyable food for many people of the world. In this quiz, we will find out some interesting things about this important fish. All questions of the Columbia River, or Celilo, are in the American northwest.

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