Thank you for bringing salmon fishing and all that entails to those of us who eat salmon without thought where it comes from. It fulfills the soul to work hard & accomplish something. Beautifully written!
Thanks for this read. There are a few things in life I am curious about, but not so much that I want to actually do. This is one of them. Hope you get a some chances to enjoy the scenery between the fish!
I must be a Larry, because as I am watching the movie that is rolling off the screen, I want SO MUCH to have a bite of that salmon. What does it taste like? I bet it tops the sushi I sometimes enjoy. I KNOW it tops the store bought farm raised from the store. Is it sweet? Is it firm? Does it have a ' terroir' ( whats the sea equivalent, Hank?) of seaweed, of sulfur? Do you get to fry that shit up for breakfast?
I am awaiting your thorough assessment of the salmon available to the mass market. And while happiness is appreciation of what we do have and enjoy, there is obviously a haunting concern that the Farm Raised fish is fed on rancid dog kibble, and probably is better boycotted.
Much appreciated is your detail in dressing (undressing) of the fish. Most of us never even bone a chicken. Dont be shy here. If I had those fish heads I'd bury them when I plant my next Juniperous monosperma. Fish fertilizer....Now THERE'S some gruesome goop!
Thanks Hank! Over two decades removed from commercial fishing all over Alaska and I could smell the Grundens as I read this and remember my heart skipping watching the corks pop. Love this piece!!
Please consider: a few pair of gloves that have the clear sleeves with Velcro or elastic...they pull all the way up to your biceps. Or...invest in a pullover fishing jacket that has elastic wrists or velcro...and cinch around your gloves at the wrist. And, after cleaning the deck at the end of the day, lay the raingear out on the hatch, grab that scrub brush and soapy bucket of water and quickly scrub gear fronts (at the very least)...hose them off and you are good to go. Water with some bleach is your friend. At the beginning of each trip, I always vowed to change my underwear and socks everyday, and brush my teeth before bed. Of course, by the end of the trip that goes out the window! Longline trips are the worse for hygiene. And Taku is a maddeningly buzzing pest heck of a place to fish sometimes. Every different area has its pluses & minuses. I hope you have speakers on deck...Most boats usually make sure they have music before they have an inside head. Priorities. What a fabulous product Tyson and you are producing!
Reading about your experience reminds me of Michael Easter's recounting of a month long caribou hunt in Alaska in The Comfort Crisis. The work you're doing is deeply meaningful, at least to this reader, and I appreciate you sharing the experience.
One of my favorite pieces of yours I've read yet (and competition is pretty stiff!) Sure wish I could taste one of those fishies. Alas! Maybe one day I'll make it to Alaska...
Great descriptive writing. You reeled me right in and plopped me down on the boat right next to you. Bless you, for giving everyone a glimpse into what it takes to bring that salmon dinner, that we take so much for granted, to our tables.
As a recreational food fisher in Haida Gwaii I appreciate hearing the commercial side of it, and what is similar or different from what we do at home to fill our freezers. An interesting read!
It may not be deadliest catch but I still enjoyed the read
Th is reads like a book! Hope that’s where it’s going!
Thank you for bringing salmon fishing and all that entails to those of us who eat salmon without thought where it comes from. It fulfills the soul to work hard & accomplish something. Beautifully written!
Thanks for this read. There are a few things in life I am curious about, but not so much that I want to actually do. This is one of them. Hope you get a some chances to enjoy the scenery between the fish!
I must be a Larry, because as I am watching the movie that is rolling off the screen, I want SO MUCH to have a bite of that salmon. What does it taste like? I bet it tops the sushi I sometimes enjoy. I KNOW it tops the store bought farm raised from the store. Is it sweet? Is it firm? Does it have a ' terroir' ( whats the sea equivalent, Hank?) of seaweed, of sulfur? Do you get to fry that shit up for breakfast?
I am awaiting your thorough assessment of the salmon available to the mass market. And while happiness is appreciation of what we do have and enjoy, there is obviously a haunting concern that the Farm Raised fish is fed on rancid dog kibble, and probably is better boycotted.
Much appreciated is your detail in dressing (undressing) of the fish. Most of us never even bone a chicken. Dont be shy here. If I had those fish heads I'd bury them when I plant my next Juniperous monosperma. Fish fertilizer....Now THERE'S some gruesome goop!
I don't eat farmed salmon if I can help it.
Thanks Hank! Over two decades removed from commercial fishing all over Alaska and I could smell the Grundens as I read this and remember my heart skipping watching the corks pop. Love this piece!!
Please consider: a few pair of gloves that have the clear sleeves with Velcro or elastic...they pull all the way up to your biceps. Or...invest in a pullover fishing jacket that has elastic wrists or velcro...and cinch around your gloves at the wrist. And, after cleaning the deck at the end of the day, lay the raingear out on the hatch, grab that scrub brush and soapy bucket of water and quickly scrub gear fronts (at the very least)...hose them off and you are good to go. Water with some bleach is your friend. At the beginning of each trip, I always vowed to change my underwear and socks everyday, and brush my teeth before bed. Of course, by the end of the trip that goes out the window! Longline trips are the worse for hygiene. And Taku is a maddeningly buzzing pest heck of a place to fish sometimes. Every different area has its pluses & minuses. I hope you have speakers on deck...Most boats usually make sure they have music before they have an inside head. Priorities. What a fabulous product Tyson and you are producing!
I have all of that. Why would you think I didn't?
Well, you just sounded so miserable...Keep at it for a few more seasons...then you will get used to it...I guarantee it! Haha!
Reading about your experience reminds me of Michael Easter's recounting of a month long caribou hunt in Alaska in The Comfort Crisis. The work you're doing is deeply meaningful, at least to this reader, and I appreciate you sharing the experience.
One of my favorite pieces of yours I've read yet (and competition is pretty stiff!) Sure wish I could taste one of those fishies. Alas! Maybe one day I'll make it to Alaska...
Great piece Hank! More please!!
Great descriptive writing. You reeled me right in and plopped me down on the boat right next to you. Bless you, for giving everyone a glimpse into what it takes to bring that salmon dinner, that we take so much for granted, to our tables.
As a recreational food fisher in Haida Gwaii I appreciate hearing the commercial side of it, and what is similar or different from what we do at home to fill our freezers. An interesting read!
That was an outstanding read. Thank you.
Great piece. It reminded me of a shanty I made up (I think) during a couple seasons day boat fishing off Cape Cod.
“A fisherman’s wife is a fisherman’s life; it the only life for me!
We shit in a bucket! We shit in a bucket!
And on the deck we pee.”