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Gone are the days that giant saber-toothed salmon roamed Pacific seas and headed up streams to spawn and die.

They evolved, most likely, into modern cohos.

But a few million years later - tomorrow, to be exact - Juneau kids can color local artist Ray Troll's fanciful drawings of the 9-foot-long, 2-inch-fanged creatures.

The Department of Fish and Game hits the road this week with its Mobile Aquatic Classroom, designed to teach kids about aquatic environments.

You'll know the MAC when you see a big blue trailer with fish all over it parked at Sandy Beach.

First thing to do is pick up a pair of 3-D glasses, supplied by Fish and Game, and marvel at the fish and roe popping out at you, depicting the whole salmon life cycle from one end to the other.

It was painted by the Hermanos Huachinango (that's "Rockfish Brothers"), Ray Troll, Carla Potter, Roberto Salas and Guillermo Jauregui.

Inside and outside will be a host of fish and critter related activities. They'll have live fish in a tank for kids to learn species and dead fish to print on T-shirts.

There will be fly-tying and casting lessons, a biology-based scavenger hunt and a beach cleanup.

And there are so many things to learn about our local aquatic macroinvertebrates, aka bugs and slimy things.

For instance: Leeches have 32 brains. Caddis flies make their homes out of sand grains, spruce cones, leaves, tiny shells and their own net silk.

It's the sixth year for the MAC, which has been all over the state.

MAC program coordinator Tracy Smith of Fish and Game, who is co-teaching with Jay Baumer of the Department of Fish and Game, said the lessons and activities are all tailored to the local water systems.

"We do it to give people a taste of what's in their own backyard," Smith said. "It's pretty eye-opening."

• Contact reporter Kate Goldenat 523-2276 or e-mail kate.golden@juneauempire.com.