About Captain Mike

“The Call of the Salmon”

When the salmon calls, you've got to answer. That's exactly what I did. Who would have thought that almost 35 years later, we'd still be enjoying it. Starting with the freshest fish, smoking it slowly over Alderwood coals, making the best smoked fish there is!

That's what our customers tell us. Sunset Magazine agrees with them, and Frommers, GQ, and the New York Times. And great articles from the San Francisco Chronicle and Serious Eats, too. Most important, that's what my wife, Sally, said when she bought some fish from me at a farmers market almost 35 years ago and decided not to let me go. We sell our fish at the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area farmers markets, talking and laughing with the people all day long.

At my first farmers market in Redwood City in 1987, I didn't have labels or fancy packaging. No prices even. I just guessed at what each piece was worth. I tossed my first batch of smoked fish on the table and it was gone in just over an hour. And it's been fun ever since. I found my wife and a world of friends at the farmers markets. Bringing the best fish to the best people, it's all about loving what we do.

In my former life I was a Methodist minister and later a business executive. For down time, I'm a North Coast Boheme, still playing Rock & Roll guitar. I keep current with the spiritual side of life, too. My absolutely gorgeous wife is a monster cook. She usually interviews me every morning about what I want to eat for dinner that night. Kayaking our North Coast rivers is her down time. She grows a heck of a garden, too.

What a life! Hey, someone's gotta do it, it might as well be us. This deeply creative business has brought us total joy. We are so grateful. What an honor to answer the Call of the Salmon.