Since this thread was created I now check each of my fish. Filet a Silver today 09/06 from area 10 that had these. It was a small 2/3 lbr. They seem to be at the tail end. I'm going to freeze it first and than smoke it. Plus take those little puss pockets out :p .

Erndog

And what are the black leaches or worms in the Cascade and Skagit silvers. Usually found in or around the gills?

Stringer -
They are leeches -
They can be various colors ranging from black to graysih-white. Typically they are found on the gills, pectoral and anal fins.

As they are just on the ouside of the fish they don't affect the quality of the meat much like sea-lice. However the fish don't usually pick them up until they have been in the river a while.

Tight lines
Smalma