Napa Valley Register

Inside Napa Valley

“Holy Smoke! Cap'n Mike's Smoked Fish Is Heavenly”

One of our finest specialty foods available at the Napa market comes from Cap'n Mike's Holy Smoke (formerly Northwest Connection). Cap'n Mike and Sally Hiebert produce some of the finest smoked fish available. Since Mike is a former Methodist minister, they changed their label to the new Cap'n Mike's Holy Smoke and, as the saying goes, holy smoke is their stuff good.

It all started as a hobby for Mike, who learned his trade from the Snohomish and Hoh Indians in Washington. Mike, who is half Native American, lived with the Snohomish and learned how to smoke the fish they caught on wooden racks over alderwood covered with deerskins. The hobby became an obsession when he returned home to California.

A trip to the local farmers market with 30 pounds of his smoked salmon was sold out within an hour. At that point the hobby turned into the business now know as Cap'n Mike's Holy Smoke. The product line increased from smoked salmon to salmon jerky, lox, trout, tuna and other fish. All this from a guy whose resume includes being an ordained minister and a former VP of sales and marketing at Melitta Coffe Company. We don't just owe our thanks to Mike for the smoked fish. He was also responsible for fine gourmet coffee reaching the West Coast.

Sally's background is equally unusual. She spent 15 years as a stage actress in New York and worked as a Gestalt therapist before moving to California.

Cap'n Mike's Holy Smoke products are all chemical and preservative free with no nitrates. The natural brining and smoking process, combined with vacuum seal packaging, captures the delicious flavor, moisture and oils.

I hate to tell you this, but their stuff is actually good for you. Their products are a high source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids, which health care professionals attribute to lowering blood cholesterol. And salmon ranks among one of the lowest calorie foods at just 34 calories per ounce. For a sweet treat, try their salmon candy, cured in honey and smoked for three days.