Copper River Salmon (Kenai, Valdez, Whittier: 2010, prices, vacation)

[Glitch]

Call me strange (I have certainly been called worse), but I prefer to put soaked wood chips directly on the coals, rather than putting the salmon on a plank. The salmon is not exposed to direct heat, but rather cooked indirectly from the heat produced by the coals off to one side. The soaked wood chips (I prefer hickory or mesquite over alder) add more flavor.

My method is closer to a "hot smoked" salmon than a barbecued salmon, just not nearly smoked as long (20 to 30 minutes at most) as I would normally smoke salmon (which could be as long as 18 hours) and I don't soak the salmon in brine before I toss it on the barbecue (always skin-side down).

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by tomcat6369

Well received my orders, start working in Anchorage 15JUL09. Hoping to leave Washington late June, allowing a week to drive up there then fish and site-see for a week! AWESOME. I will fish for any salmon, beats anything we have in Washington State.

Hard to better fresh steelhead, that might be the best!!

Reds, Silvers, and Kings will be running the first couple weeks of July, so it is the best time to arrive.

The Kenai River is the place to catch trophy-sized Steelhead/Rainbows.

[tomcat6369]

Running in all the rivers and creeks? I got to find a wed site to help me with my fishing bug!

I like eating salmon and but darn I love caughting them!

[mal_flisk]

ADN has a regular piece on Thursdays to let you know what's running where and how many. 5-star rating system. But normally, I just ask friends where they found their best fishing over a given weekend.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by mal_flisk

ADN has a regular piece on Thursdays to let you know what's running where and how many. 5-star rating system. But normally, I just ask friends where they found their best fishing over a given weekend.

Admit it, you secretly read the Anchorage Daily Socialist Worker.

There are a couple places I frequent regularly, like Montana Creek, Talkeetna River, and the Little Su of course, but I also check out various forums (who shall remain nameless because they are not City Data), bait shops, and charters for up to date information.

[tomcat6369]

I think I need to rub elbows with Glitch, I think he has some secrets.

I will look at the ADN tomorrow, I try to read/look at it daily thanks Mal_flisk!

Guess I better get the yard sale going!!!!

[Metlakatla]

You can purchase planks specially made for preparing salmon.

Naturally I hate to agree with Glitch but I do believe that indirect heat is a superior way to cook salmon.

[blackzzz01]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

You can purchase planks specially made for preparing salmon.

Naturally I hate to agree with Glitch but I do believe that indirect heat is a superior way to cook salmon.

The wood chip method sounds like a winner too. I like to experiment so I plan on trying both ways. Just finished off a red fillet with a baked potato just slapped on the grill, nothing fancy, and it was fantastic. I don't think it's possible to screw up a sockeye.

[LittleDolphin]

Y'all are making me mighty hungry...pity poor me living down in the Southern 48, so many miles from fresh salmon--and me, who loves fresh caught salmon above all other foods.

Just bought some mushy looking farmed salmon at the local grocery and it's a far, far cry from the freshly caught Pacific salmon from the cold, mineral rich waters of Alaska. Never had Copper River salmon...can only dream...

Once I went salmon fishing out the Golden Gate and caught a salmon and had a salmon steak for dinner that night and it was good eating--from boat to table in under four hours.

Oh how I miss fresh salmon. But we do have really good local shrimp that are pretty delicious grilled with lemon, garlic and i bit of olive oil...

Now, to me, a perfect seafood platter would be Alaskan fresh salmon, Maine lobster and North Carolina shrimp....maybe with a chaser of lightly seared tuna with wasabi...

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

Y'all are making me mighty hungry...pity poor me living down in the Southern 48, so many miles from fresh salmon--and me, who loves fresh caught salmon above all other foods.

Just bought some mushy looking farmed salmon at the local grocery and it's a far, far cry from the freshly caught Pacific salmon from the cold, mineral rich waters of Alaska. Never had Copper River salmon...can only dream...

Once I went salmon fishing out the Golden Gate and caught a salmon and had a salmon steak for dinner that night and it was good eating--from boat to table in under four hours.

Oh how I miss fresh salmon. But we do have really good local shrimp that are pretty delicious grilled with lemon, garlic and i bit of olive oil...

Now, to me, a perfect seafood platter would be Alaskan fresh salmon, Maine lobster and North Carolina shrimp....maybe with a chaser of lightly seared tuna with wasabi...

Dolphin is not playing nice...