Wrangell Sentinel -

Like other trollers in the region, Wrangell fishermen are critical of a Seattle-based federal judge’s ruling that could shut down the Southeast commercial king salmon fishery, which supports about 40 trollers in town.

Brian Merritt is a troller and a teacher at Evergreen Elementary. He estimates that 35% of his income comes from kings, but losing the fishery is more than just a financial loss. For him, kings are the smartest, biggest and the most engaging species of salmon to fish for.

“Dog salmon are dumber than a stump and anyone can catch them,” he said. “Trolling is game of the mind where...