Dan, a very good friend of ours, is an engineer by day and a commercial setnet fisherman by night - or whenever the salmon are running. Dan has a small setnet fishery directly west of Anchorage at the mouth of the Little Susitna river.
The salmon runs started a few weeks ago - first up the rivers are kings. Next month are the reds and then the silvers in August. The commercial setnet king openings are only on Mondays. So, on Sunday evening we all place our fish orders with Dan and then hope the weather cooperates on Monday so Dan can motor across the Inlet and catch lots of fish.
Today was a bonanza day. Just nine fish but 300 pounds total. For you non-salmon folks, Alaskan King Salmon can be absolutely ginormous. Today, Dan caught a 54 pounder - the largest fish he's ever caught. A 54 pound King is a very big fish indeed.
When I placed my fish order last night with Dan, I asked for enough fish to cover a dinner party for seven. He and I were both thinking two fish. However, in addition to his 54 pounder, he also caught a few 18 pounders - one of which went to the Slat Rat. Perfect for a dinner party of seven!!!
Dan takes superb care of his fish - immediately after he catches the fish he bleeds them, cleans them and puts them on ice. As a result, his fish are the best I've ever had. Absolutely sublime.
Of course, the other main reason that Dan's fish are the best I've ever had is that the Ski Boy is an absolutely superb griller of all things piscine!!!! So, our guests will be in for a real treat tomorrow evening.
Here's Dan and our 18 pounder:
Bucket O' Salmon:
A very happy Slat Rat with tomorrow night's dinner:

9:49:15 PM
|