Traditional Salmon Bake

I don't know about the general public here on the harbor, but this writer has never really been in the know about fishing.  Cooking fish however, has recently become quite fun for our family, as the fishermen in my life have been providing lots of material to cook with.  When this fun event crossed my email boasting the title, "Traditional Salmon Bake", I was more than a little intrigued and had to instantly walk my fingers across Google search and do a little digging to find out exactly what a "traditional" salmon bake entailed.  To start with, did you know that there is a specific way to filet the salmon in order to cook it in the traditional style?  It is true!  Check out the image below.

Split your salmon down the back, remove the bones and voila!  A beautiful slab of salmon ready to cook...but not on the grill and not in the oven.   

The coastal Native Americans did not have the modern tools we use today and instead would roast the meat by fire.  They would prop fish between skewers with the belly to the flame and slow roast the filet to savory perfection.

This is how you will find the salmon cooking at the Community Hall at Schafer State Park this Saturday, October 13.  The salmon feed starts at 1 pm and is sponsored by FOSLS, The Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia State Park.  Discovery Passes are available at Schafer during the event and attendees are also encouraged to join FOSLS for just $15.  If you decide to join, the $15 buys you a free dinner with your membership.  Non-members are welcome as well and a $7 donation is encouraged.

Salmon and all the 'fixins' will be provided, but potluck additions are also welcome.

               (360) 789-9953  www.TheSchaferStateParkTeam.org

Salmon Tales in Westport

I know it may seem as if we have been writing lots of  'fishy tales' lately, however if you live at the beach in Westport, you understand that Salmon is the word of the month in September!

When you mention the Pacific Northwest to "muggles", the first thing that may come to mind is the Salmon that runs in our rivers for most of the fall, and if you are looking for the hub of this activity, look no further than Westport this weekend.  The Salmon Tales event takes place this weekend on Saturday, September 22.

What sounds most intriguing to this writer, besides the amazing Smoked Salmon Derby (as this girl loves to eat) is the Charter Boat Bingo that gives players 14 chances to win Charter Fishing Boat trips.  My husband went out last spring on a Westport Charter Trip and loved it!

Westport Brewing Company will be hosting a Beer Garden on the Maritime Museum, but why wait for Saturday?  The WBC is open to the public daily and you can samples their beers today if you want!  While you enjoy that beer on Saturday, make sure you listen for the sounds of 'Catch of the Day'.

Local Magazine Horns and Hooks has an excellent write up on the event that was published on August 29th.  Check it out here!

Remember that you can also participate in the Boat Basin Salmon Derby until late into October, so if you head out to Westport for Salmon Tales take your fishing rob and reel in the big one.