As sure as any harbinger of spring the return of Chinook salmon to our coastal waters signals we are on our way to warmer weather and longer days. Friday, May 1st marked the opening of the 2015 Washington commercial troll fishery for Chinook. The fishing boats are on the water and soon will be returning to the dock with silver backed salmon securely tucked into icy fish holds. So begins the 2015 fishing season and the availability of fresh, local wild Chinook.
If you are a chef or just love fresh caught Chinook you must be anticipating the chance to get your first taste of this year’s Washington hook and line caught salmon. What better seafood can you think of to accompany the tender shoots of landfood that are showing up in your kitchen? Briny and sweet, rich yet mild, Washington troll caught Chinook will shine when it shares the spotlight with the springtime bounty of produce.
You can feel good about eating Washington troll caught Chinook. Here are three reasons:
- Trolling, also know as hook and line fishing, is widely recognized as one of the most sustainable ways to catch fish.
- Washington Chinook are caught less than 200 miles from Seattle and never get on a plane so these fish have a smaller carbon footprint.
- Buying locally caught Chinook supports Washington’s fishing families and businesses. Keeping it local never tasted so good.
You may be thinking, “Where can I buy the fish?” Here is a list of fishermen and seafood distributors who will be able to supply your restaurant or market with fresh troll caught Washington Chinook. When you order, make sure to ask your fishmonger what color Chinook is available. Whether red, white or marbled all Washington Chinook are delicious and add local flavor to your menu or seafood counter selection.
Businesses marked with an asterisk are owned by fishermen who sell their own catch.
Cape Flattery Fishermen’s Coop
Joseph Lawrence, Manager
(360) 645-2231
capeflattery@centurytel.net
Notes: Wholesale and seafood buyer
Corfini Gourmet
Bernado Jimenez
bernardo@corfinigourmet.com
(206) 310-8386
Fishing Vessel Barcarole*
Jeremy Brown
(360) 201 2487
Notes: SMS preferred contact method, in season, by appointment. Delivering direct to select restaurants and seafood markets in North Sound area.
Fishing Vessel Donna Sea*
Mike Hitchcock (360) 269-7811 or
Kayla Gore (360) 878-7326
Kayla.gore@hotmail.com
Notes: Wholesale in Lewis County and western Washington; retail off boat and Lewis County via Facebook/public media
Fishing Vessel Karen L*
Nicole Curry
(360) 305 1022
Notes: SMS preferred contact method, in season, by appointment. Delivering direct to select restaurants and seafood markets in North Sound area
Flying Fish Company, LLC
Lyf Gildersleeve
(503) 260-6552
oregonfreshfish@gmail.com
http://www.flyingfishcompany.com
Notes: Serving Portland, OR; retail and wholesale
Harvester’s Catch*
Jeff Pedersen
503-793-8699
sales@harvesterscatch.com
http://www.harvesterscatch.com
Notes: Serving Washington and Oregon; wholesale to restaurants & markets; and retail to the public at Farmers Markets and off the boat
James Island Fish*
Steve Wilson
(253) 732-4617
jamesislandfish@gmail.com
Notes: Wholesale & retail sales on Olympic Peninsula, in Seattle area & South Sound
Jessie’s Ilwaco Fish Co.
Pierre Marchand
(360) 642-3773
pierrem@ilwacofish.com
Notes: Serving Washington, Oregon & the World. Wholesale to stores, restaurants & distributors; retail markets in South Bend & Ilwaco
The Jones Family Farms
Ivan Brown
(360) 468-0533
orders@jffarms.com
Notes: Serving San Juan Islands, Skagit, Bellingham and Seattle; wholesale & retail
Kelly’s Fresh Fish*
Tom (t.k.) Kelly
(206) 914-1342
kellysfreshfish@Hotmail.com
Notes: Seattle & into Tacoma, wholesale to restaurants and markets; retail sales to general public. Delivery arranged weekly
Kona Pacific Seafoods*
Tasha Parker
(253) 380-7255 or (260) 291-8068
tasha.konapacific@gmail.com or surfangel830@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/KonaPacific
Notes: Serving Seattle area, wholesale restaurants and markets, whole fish only
Mikuni Wild Harvest
Jeff Griffiths
360-302-0972
Jagfishing@aol.com
http://www.Mikuniwildharvest.com
Notes: National service, wholesale & buyer
Mikuni Wild Harvest
Kevin Mock
206-851-5961
Kevinm@mikuniwildharvest.com
http://www.Mikuniwildharvest.com
Notes: Servicing entire USA, wholesale
Olympic Seafoods, LLC
Eydfinn Tausen, Owner
(425) 337-9105 c.
(425) 491-7425 f.
etausen@olympicseafoods.com
http://www.olympic-seafoods.com
Notes: Serving Seattle, Pacific Northwest & national markets, wholesale only
Wild Salmon Seafood Market
Jon Speltz, Owner
206) 283-3366
ask@wildsalmonseafood.com
http://www.wildsalmonseafood.com
Notes: Wild Salmon Seafood Market retail store has a sizable wholesale business. Delivery to Queen Anne, Magnolia and Ballard restaurants, always available for will call. FedEx shipping around the country.
Wild West
Preston Onkst
206-499-0175
opc73@hotmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wild-West/116431978435633
Notes: Wholesale on Olympic Peninsula, Kitsap & Seattle; retail to public at Port Angeles Farmers Market
Wilson Fish Markets*
Jan & Gene Panida
(253) 722-7100
thefishguys@hotmail.com
Notes: Selling at 8+ Farmers Markets including Ballard, Edmonds, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Puyallup, Tacoma and Proctor
(Photo of Washington Chinook at Lark in Seattle courtesy of Marcus Donner http://www.marcusdonner.com)
fish = food 