Do you know what today is? Today is a special day—especially for my friends in Cordova, Alaska. It may be an ordinary day in Chicago, New York City, or Los Angeles, but for Cordova it marks the opening of Copper River salmon season. That means the first Copper River salmon of the season will begin appearing at restaurants around the country and may soon be available at your local supermarket or fishmonger. Throughout this season I’ll keep a running list of Chicago-area restaurants and retail markets where Copper River salmon is available. Fellow food writers in other cities are helping too; the Fresh Catch Crew 2012 includes contributors in San Francisco, Washington DC, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Miami, Denver, Seattle, Austin, Portland, Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Boston, and Salt Lake City.
Last year I was fortunate to travel to Cordova to meet the fishermen and fisherwomen who harvest this remarkable fish. The town is beautiful, and the people I met were warm and welcoming. Over the coming months I’ll share more about my Alaska experience so readers can better understand where this delicious salmon comes from and appreciate the people who bring it from the water to the plate.
So where is the Copper River?
The Copper River gets its name from rich copper deposits found along its banks. First used by Alaska Native people and later by Russian and American settlers, the river system includes 13 major tributaries. At its widest it reaches about a mile across and flows at speeds up to seven miles per hour. The river drops an average of 12 feet per mile and drains roughly 24,000 square miles, making it one of the largest rivers in the United States.
Salmon swim up this powerful river system for as much as 300 miles to reach their spawning grounds. That long, strenuous journey requires fish to build and retain extra stores of omega-3 fatty acids, which contributes to the rich flavor and prized status of Copper River salmon among chefs and seafood lovers.
I’m truly excited for this season. Working with the people behind Copper River salmon deepened my respect for the effort it takes to bring this fish from ocean to table. Stay tuned for future posts focused on Copper River salmon throughout the season, along with recipes and tips for enjoying this exceptional fish.