Copper River Salmon (Kenai, Bethel, Homer: buy, live, to eat)

[mal_flisk]

I thought I covered it up pretty well. Emotional glass wall to my brain I guess.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Not other salmon in Alaska taste as good as the ones from the Copper River. It's a simple as that, although I have no idea why. Its flesh is very pink/red and firm, with lots of natural oil in it. When you look at a fillet of salmon from the Copper at the store, it just looks nicer and fresher than the average salmon. I catch my own at the Copper, but have caught salmon at the Kenai, Ocean by Homer, etc., and none taste as good.

I disagree; but then it 's a matter of personal preference. River fish really isn't my thing.

[warptman]

Nothing like a fresh caught King from the net cooked the same day, deep fried, to boot!

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Not other salmon in Alaska taste as good as the ones from the Copper River. It's a simple as that, although I have no idea why.

I know why. You read the advertizing, but haven't tasted the fish.

The Kings caught near Napakiak (just down river from Bethel) on the Kuskokwim and the Kings caught near Rampart on the Yukon are about equal, and either is significantly better than those marketed as Copper River Kings. The significance is how much oil the fish started with when it entered fresh water and how much it has burned off by the time it is caught.

[JohnPF]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I disagree; but then it 's a matter of personal preference. River fish really isn't my thing.

For the short time salmon spend in rivers... are they considered "river fish"?

[akdreamin]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Not other salmon in Alaska taste as good as the ones from the Copper River. It's a simple as that, although I have no idea why. Its flesh is very pink/red and firm, with lots of natural oil in it. When you look at a fillet of salmon from the Copper at the store, it just looks nicer and fresher than the average salmon. I catch my own at the Copper, but have caught salmon at the Kenai, Ocean by Homer, etc., and none taste as good.

As Floyd states, its the oil content. Basically salmon have high oil content, if they have to swim a long way to reach their spawning grounds.

The basic take home message is (more or less):
longer river = better salmon

Yukon river salmon are quite the best things you'll ever taste.

Cheers,

[ASpilot2be]

Apparently people in Denver really like them. I think we put over 2000lbs of the stuff on the flight to Denver last night. It was enough make the tires go flat

[JohnPF]

Originally Posted by akdreamin

As Floyd states, its the oil content. Basically salmon have high oil content, if they have to swim a long way to reach their spawning grounds.

The basic take home message is (more or less):
longer river = better salmon

Yukon river salmon are quite the best things you'll ever taste.

Cheers,

Wait. Longer river, more oil spent- less left in the fish. I thought more oil, better salmon. Which is it?

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by JohnPF

Wait. Longer river, more oil spent- less left in the fish. I thought more oil, better salmon. Which is it?

Exactly, the Copper river forces the fish to store up more oil and fat. The returning fish however are caught at the Copper River Delta down by Cordova before they head up stream.

Just had some fresh Copper River King at Simon & Seaforts tonight. Mmmmm...

[JohnPF]

That makes sense. Catch them before the long LAST journey and they are in their best shape.