Winter recreation opportunities around the Fjord Ron Adams | Prostaff, Verle's LLC
The long and sunny days of summer have once again given way to the shorter, cooler and yes, sometimes wetter days of winter. Those who are fortunate enough to live near the Hood Canal embrace the new season in expectation of its accessible and delicious bounty mixed with family fun and adventure. Opportunities abound for those who are willing to bundle up and enjoy breathtaking scenery of pristine rivers and the snow capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains. The Hood Canal offers delicious oysters and several varieties of succulent clams ready for the taking on several State beaches. The winter months are known for the best months to harvest these delicious bivalves having their best flavor this time of year. Harvesting them can be a fun family adventure and deliciously satisfying. Fishing opportunities in the Hood Canal and surrounding lakes and rivers are as exciting as they are rewarding. The Hood Canal offers fishing for an extremely sought after fish known not only for its exceptional table fare, but also for its strong and exciting fight. Known as Blackmouth, these
local chinook or King salmon are challenging to catch but well worth the effort. Baked, fried or smoked blackmouth are hard to beat. There are several year round lakes around the Hood Canal as well and they are well stocked and offer excellent opportunity to catch nice rainbow trout that will occasionally weigh several pounds. Locals take advantage of this winter harvest either from the shore at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife access points or by boat. You have to be a little more patient in the winter but the palatable quality of the fish is better making them that much more delicious. There is also the opportunity to encounter a fish of almost legendary status that return to rivers near the Hood Canal in the winter and that is the winter run steelhead. Every
Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball 8 ounce brick of Cream Cheese 1/4 cup sour cream 1/8 teaspoon ground garlic 1/8 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon lime juice 4 ounces smoked salmon-broken into small pieces 1/2 cup chopped smoked almonds Mix very well the first six ingredients then gently fold in the smoked salmon. Form the salmon mixture into a ball shape and roll in the chopped almonds, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
Tips:
If your smoked salmon is mild in flavor you can add a drop or 2 of liquid smoke for a little more flavor. You can substitute other kinds of smoked fish will work well in place of the salmon. From Michelle’s Kitchen Courtesy of Verle's Sporting Goods, LLC FJORD 48
