Page 312 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

TASTE OF PARADISE

Memorable wild food flavors don’t just happen,
they are born in a fusing of nature’s most unique
essences. So it is with Northwest wild salmon.
From glacier-fed rivers and fjords to the life-
sustaining ocean, the embrace of Alaska is well
defined on its signature fish.
Preserving those one-of-a-kind flavors is a
responsibility not lost on the operators of TONKA
SEAFOODS—Petersburg’s premier boutique
salmon processor. “We hand pack every can and
pouch to make sure that only the highest quality
product bears our label,” says plant manager
Wendell Gilbert.
Flavor is just another word for freshness,
so in order to consistently deliver that unique
Alaska taste, Tonka buys its fish exclusively from
local trollers and gill netters. Unlike many of
Alaska’s large, conventional processors, boutique
processing begins boat side, on the open ocean, as
each fish is cleaned and ice packed immediately
after being removed live from the nets or lines.
“This initial handling is very important to the Petersburg Harbor
overall quality of the product,” says Gilbert. “It is photo by:
VC TRAVEL GUIDE
one of the things that makes our product unique.”
Once the daily catch is unloaded, it is moved
directly into the plant for smoking or canning.
Most fish is processed same day. Fillets are either Blind River Rapids has an ample paved parking Saltwater fishing is available from the many
packed fresh or smoked using a traditional Alaska area and a handicap accessible boardwalk that charter-fishing operators in Petersburg. King
cold smoking recipe and process. Gilbert even winds through the woods to the rapids. This site salmon and 300-pound halibut are among the
blends the wood chips used for smoking in order is one of the most popular day-use locations on impressive giants that draw sport fisherman to
to achieve Tonka’s signature alder flavor. “It is like Mitkof Island for picnicking, swimming, fishing Southeast Alaska waters. For special fishing
inviting a bit of Alaska home for dinner.” and canoeing. events contact the Petersburg Visitors Center.

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