Copper River Salmon (Anchorage: cost of living, eat, pay)

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Floyd_Davidson

How fast they deteriorate in fresh water depends on how far they have to swim (basically how much oil they have on board).

Hence in Southeastern, where most salmon are going only a very short distance in fresh water, they are very quickly unedible once they enter fresh water.

Another example, and one that I used to get all kinds of laughs out of, is that king salmon that spawn in small tributary rivers do not deteriorate greatly until they get to their own particular river. One effect is that a king salmon that enters the Yukon can swim hundreds of miles up the Yukon, enter the Tanana River and go another significant number of miles to the Salcha River... and within 2 miles of entering the Salcha River that fish isn't good enough to make dog food out of! But people go to the mouth of the Salcha River and catch them, and not knowing what they have, they smoke them. And they don't understand when told that Kings are way better than Reds. But danged... a canned Red salmon would be far superior to a spawned out King caught in the Salcha River!

Agree with you. Those Kings look awful by the time they make it to the Salcha

[JavaPhil]

OK, reds. kings, silvers. Who cares as long as they're caught by me and feed the crew. It's food. And it's good food. I am a fan of eating what nature provides me and thanking the deity of your choice for the bounty provided. But I think that the fish caught in the river of my choice is much tastier than anything I can purchase at Carr's, Freddie's or the local market freezer. JMO of course, but it does add that little frisson.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Agree with you. Those Kings look awful by the time they make it to the Salcha

Do note though, that if you catch the same fish just 3-4 miles down the Tanana from the mouth of the Salcha, they'd be perhaps not great, but very good.

It's when they get a sniff of their own spawning water that they deteriorate.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by JavaPhil

Well, we have a job in Cordova currently installing a new 3 MW generator at the power plant and I think the engineers and techs are dragging their poles down there reluctantly. I mean, sheesh, you get done with a day of work and then have to go fishing. Darn. For Copper River salmon. Ho-hum.

I want to know why all these guys are volunteering (whining, crying, acting like little girls) to go to Cordova. I mean, after all, isn't it just another fish?

LOL

There's something about diesel mechanics, perhaps?

When I lived in Aniak and worked at the White Alice Site, where we had our own power plant, we of course had regular visits by the diesel overhaul crew. They always made sure they came to Aniak in June and July. Same with the site at Tanana. They all figured spending weeks at either place during the spring, fall or winter was a horrible waste of opportunity. And we suffered if management scheduled it any different too, because they really did know how to whine!

On the other hand, heaven help anyone if a job got scheduled to start in December anywhere except Anchorage. Those guys would purposely break their leg to insure being home during Christmas!

I learned cribbage playing it with diesel mechanics and roofers...

[blackzzz01]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

It is good; the most important thing to remember when you prepare salmon is to not try to mix too many flavors with it. One cook I knew did dreadful things to it with varying types of produce.

Does anyone grill their salmon using a plank? I've heard very good things about that method but haven't tried it yet.

[Metlakatla]

It's a good way but I hate that it's become so trendy.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by blackzzz01

Does anyone grill their salmon using a plank? I've heard very good things about that method but haven't tried it yet.

yup I have many times and it is wonderful!!! just soak the plank long enough so it doesn't burn up!!! Try different types of wood planks and find which flavor you like!!

[Grannysroost]

Just make sure to use untreated planks...

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Grannysroost

Just make sure to use untreated planks...

OMG never even thought someone would buy or use a "treated" plank!!!
I actually like going to the lumber mill and getting a frest saw'n plank piece and let it sit in the sun for a day or so!!!

[Forgetmenots& Roses]

I have lived in Alaska for 11 years and not much of a salmon eater. It's too oily and too many bones. But I do like salmon patties where you put the salmon in a bowl and take out bones and add crackers and egg and fry in a pan. They are really good.

I don't really care for Alaska too much and moving home to Oregon. Alaska is okay if you like long winters 8 months or more, and have a great job, and enjoy the high cost of living. I can get a three bedroom house in Oregon for what I pay a dumpy one bedroom in Alaska. Plus, Alaska is okay if you are a man. If you are a woman and sick and on disability some people treat you like a dog.

Good luck! Alaska is really a man's state and for little boys with lots of toys. LOL>