Early to mid-July brings massive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) runs to Pacific Northwest rivers, but only in odd-numbered years (2023, 2025, etc.). Pink salmon have the most rigid 2-year life cycle of all Pacific salmon, creating dramatically different run sizes in alternating years—odd years typically see enormous runs while even years have minimal returns. In productive odd years, millions of pink salmon enter Puget Sound, Fraser River, and other systems, turning rivers silver with fish from bank to bank. These are the smallest Pacific salmon (typically 3-5 pounds) but make up for size with sheer numbers. Male pinks develop a distinctive pronounced hump on their backs during spawning, giving them the nickname "humpies." Their brief life cycle and massive abundance make pink salmon runs spectacular natural events and important food sources for bears, eagles, and other wildlife.