Food of the Gods.....Mussels

        It is no secret to anyone who knows me, I LOVE SEAFOOD; all of it.  Several types of clams, all of which are delicious please my palate, but mussels are in a class all to themselves.  They're bigger than butter clams and a bit bolder in taste.  They are delicious steamed with garlic, shallots, and wine as well as a delicious ingredient to pasta.   Mussels are high in vitamin B12, needed for the production of red blood cells.  Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for heart health.

       I was not able to get fresh this trip so bought frozen and went from there.  One rule of thumb for any clams:  Throw away all clams with open shells prior to cooking.  Throw away all clams not opened after cooking.  It's a matter of being alive and healthy........or not.  Seafood has a delicate shelf life.  

 

Extra virgin olive oil

4 large garlic cloves, minced

1 large shallot or small red onion, halved and thinly sliced

kosher salt

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or Aleppo pepper

3 pounds mussels

1 cup chicken or vegetable broth

1/2 cup dry white wine

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional

      Rinse the mussels under cold running water, scrubbing with a brush, until the water runs clear.  Discard any mussels that are not fully closed or do not close when you give them a gentle tap with your fingernail.

      In a large Dutch oven or 6-quart cooking pot, heat about 2 to 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.

      Add the garlic and shallots and season with a good pinch of kosher salt.  Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, if using.  Cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until fragrant (manage the heat to make sure the garlic does not brown).

      Add the mussels and stir them around a bit, then pour in the broth and wine.  Cover the pot and let the mussels steam over medium-high heat for about 5 to 6 minutes or until the mussels open up (give them a quick stir midway through).

      As soon as the mussel shells are open, immediately remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fresh parsley.

      Transfer the mussels and broth to serving bowls and serve immediately with French or Italian bread to the side.  Bowls are important to savor the broth.  I served these with corn o' cob, garlic bread, and a glass of Chardonnay.   

      This was a Cook's Choice selection for me.  Barb doesn't care for them.  It's cool, more for me.  

“People are like mussels. You can put them in a vat of boiling water, and some of them will pop open immediately. Some of them will have to float around in the water for a bit, then they’ll slowly release. Others never open up at all, no matter what sort of hot water they’re in.”

Rhian J. Martin

The Decline of Sustainable Fish Stocks in Alaska

 

      Alaska has long been the destination sought for adventure, sightseeing, hunting, and great fishing opportunities.  We have twice ourselves visited with another possibly scheduled for 2026.  We were initially lured by the prospect of catching a huge 200+ lb. halibut, big as a barn door.  We did end up with 4 fish, all being pretty small, the largest perhaps 25 lbs.  The limit at this time was 2 halibut apiece, one being under 29".       

      Our second trip in 2019 we went salmon, rockfish, and cod fishing out of Seward.  We easily caught our limit of coho with an additional bounty of rockfish and lingcod.  By this time the halibut was shortened by 2 days a week.  This trip proved to us that rockfish and lingcod are the best eating fish out there. 

      When researching this year's limits on fish I discovered the seasons have once again been drastically shortened and catch/possession limits reduced as well.  Everything is cyclic they say. 

      For several years there was even a closure on King Crab as Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists have decided to close the Southeast Alaska commercial red king crab and blue king crab fishery for the 2023-2025 seasons.  This does not, however affect the larger fishing areas near the Bering Straits. This year’s harvest limit for red king crab from that part of the Bering Sea was set by the state at 2.31 million pounds, up from last year’s 2.15-million-pound quota.  That follows an unprecedented two-year harvest closure in the winters of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.  The largest forecasting problem here is a migrating biomass.      

     In 2019, Bristol Bay saw a sockeye return of 56.3 million fish, which was 33% higher than the preseason forecast of 40.2 million. Fishermen caught 43 million sockeye out of this total return.  However, Sockeye salmon populations in Alaska, particularly in Bristol Bay, have shown declines in recent years.  In Cook Inlet however, the 2024 commercial harvest of sockeye salmon was 1.87 million fish. In 2025, a run of approximately 6.93 million sockeye salmon is forecast to return to with an estimate of 4.93 million available for harvest.  

      Copper River with perhaps the most famous sockeye run is expected to be strong, with a forecast of 1.965 million fish, 8% above the 10-year average. This forecast includes a wild run of 1.965 million and a hatchery production of 36,000, resulting in a total run of 2.001 million fish.  These fish are renowned for their rich red color resulting from the generous river shed nutrients resulting in exceptional flavor. 

      Bottom fish are another matter.  Let me first say that these fish are the best tasting of all the fish.  With Alaskan Halibut the "harvest down" of halibut refers to a reduction in the number of halibut that can be caught or harvested, either through a decrease in the total allowable catch (TAC) or a change in recreational regulations. This can be due to various factors, including stock assessments showing a decline in the halibut population, in-season actions, or changes in fishing regulations. Folks flock to Alaska, most notably Homer to catch a 200lb+ 'barndoor' for the experience.  The larger fish are nearly always females and each one harvested result in a loss of millions of eggs for future generations.   In actually all halibut is very tasty, however the smaller 'chickens' are most definitely the best. 

      Rockfish, true cod, and Ling Cod limits have to be strictly managed to provide a sustainable resource.  There are growing concerns about declining rockfish and ling cod harvests, leading to management actions like reduced catch limits and seasonal closures in certain areas.  

      Perhaps the most desirable, delicious catch is the Yelloweye rockfish.  Although they look like a large, gaudy goldfish, their flesh is some of the best eating seafood in the world.  Yelloweye rockfish populations in Southeast Alaska experienced a significant decline, leading to the closure of the fishery in 2020, and a subsequent recovery. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game initially reported a 60% decline in yelloweye biomass since the mid-1990s before the closure.  These fish can live 114 to 120 years, so a recovery can take much longer and is more crucial.  Additionally, these fish are taken from DEEP DEPTHS and are less likely to survive if released due to their air bladders.  

      Several factors are credited to the decline of fishing in Alaska, including climate change, overfishing, illegal fishing, increased competition, and economic pressures.  Climate change, particularly warming waters, impacts fish populations and ecosystems, while overfishing strains resources and undermines sustainability. 

      The current limits, days, and guidelines are different for commercial, recreational, and even nonresident fishing.  In Seward, AK fishing regulations generally involve a daily bag limit of two Pacific halibut of any size, but charter vessels may have specific limits. There are also size limits, with charter vessels often having a maximum size limit of 28 inches for one fish. There is no halibut fishing on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.  Salmon fishing is open year-round, with specific limits for king salmon and other species. Lingcod fishing is closed year-round, and any caught must be released. Additionally, certain areas within Resurrection Bay have specific regulations, such as restrictions on fishing for salmon. 

      In Homer, AK halibut fishing on charter vessels have a two-fish daily limit, with one fish being any size and the other being 27 inches or less. There is no halibut fishing on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.  Lingcod fishing is closed until July 1st, with a limit of up to 2 per person, depending on the area. King salmon retention is prohibited in some areas, and anglers may not remove a king salmon 20 inches or longer from the water before releasing it.  In the Lower Cook Inlet area, including Homer, Alaska, the daily rockfish limit is 3 fish per person, with only 1 of those being a non-pelagic rockfish like yelloweye. The possession limit is 6 rockfish per person, with only 2 being non-pelagic. 

      These results, although disappointing are indicative of the type of aggressive management necessary to keep this a sustainable resource.  Sometimes, unfortunately, the balance between commercial and recreational fishing becomes a bit blurred.  What is the current definition of a sustainable resource?  Alaska Fish and Wildlife Services officials have acknowledged concerns about declining fish stocks, attributing some declines to factors like marine heatwaves and changing ocean conditions, as well as overfishing and other management challenges. They emphasize the need for collective efforts, including collaboration between scientists, managers, industry stakeholders, and local communities, to address these issues.  If not addressed now, in the future this exceptional resource may no longer exist.   The United Nations assessment of fisheries estimates that around one-third of the world’s fish stocks are overexploited: these populations are declining because we’re catching more fish than can reproduce.  Of course, with reduced supply will result in increased prices.  

      Of course we want to go again, and of course we want to catch lots of fish, but reality at times dictates differently.  At this point we are still undecided about a trip north in 2026. 

 

"Across all regions we are still seeing a troubling trend of increasing stock collapse"

Dr Boris Worm 

 

Ojibwa Casino & Campround Marquette, MI

 

      We have been visiting here for several years.  Most notably when they offered 7 free campsites with electricity with water refill available.  There was not only no charge, but when registering every day, they also gave $5 play credits.  It is a small casino with plenty of charm.  

Old casino RV parking

     They have spent the past 7 years remodeling not only the casino, but the parking area with not only overnight spots (admittedly these are not very level) but an RV park as well.  We decided that after 4 straight days of OTRing across from Montana we would chill for a couple of days.  

      They only recently opened the RV park the first of May, so were some of the first to check it out.  The new park offers full hookups as well as picnic tables and fire pits.  They also offer a central bathroom/shower facility.  We camped here for 3 days recovering a bit from the stresses of our nightmarish winter travels.  We'll get home soon, but Barb could use the break. 

 

      There are 57 total new campsites, both back in and pull through.  All seem to have full hookups, but there is a dump station with potable/non-potable water.  

      The spots are level, but I still needed to use 1 board to level mine.  Not a big deal, that is why I carry it.  There is also a very clean bathroom shower facility with both men's and women's sides, each with their own showers.  Also, there are 3 other shower doors including unisex (?) and a family shower (??)

      We were in spot #15, which is closest to the bathrooms on the end our row.  It was about a 40-yard stroll.  The campground is on the bottom of the slope from the casino, about a 300-yard walk.  Camping is the same for either back in or pull through sites.  A bit high at $43.70 per night, but it is brand new.  The Grand Opening was only 5 days ago, and we are the third customer and of course the first in our spot.  The facilities are top notch, being new.  Let's hope they stay that way.  By the way, Barb said the casino itself is also very nice, but I wouldn't know.  I am content to play Camp Bitch.  

"You just have to take a deep breath, relax, and let the game come to you"

Al Green

Kiwanis Rest Area Lewistown, MT

       We have been traveling thru Montana for many years and drove right by this place so many times.  It is located on Hwy 87 as you near town from the west, next to the airport right above town.  I have asked others about the viability of it only to hear "It's okay for a night".  This year we decided to stop and play the Boondock Game rather than pay $40 at a local RV park.  

      We were quite surprised.  The sites are rudimentary and either grass or gravel.  There are many with covered picnic tables.  The bathrooms are centrally located and are clean and well maintained.  There is a central water spigot on one end of the park so you may either fill water jugs there or water up your freshwater tank.  Staying here is free, but there is a donation box if you wish.  We did make a nominal donation.  

      We found a nice level spot on the west side and set up.  We did the 'bottled water' routine, being it was just an overnight.  

      Even though we were right next to the highway there was very little noise all night, except for the occasional coyote.  The next morning over my morning coffee sitting at the picnic table watching the prairie dogs play I discovered there is a very large grocery right across the street.  We scooted thru on our way out to pick up some delicious fresh baked warm muffins for the 'road breakfast'.  

      Another interesting feature is that if travel here from the west the Big Sky Grocery is located just minutes from the park and near Eddie's Corner.  Big Sky Grocery is run by a local Amish family and offers everything from fresh fruit and vegetables and bulk spices to candy, canned goods and meats.  We highly recommend the deli sandwiches for the road, plus I always pick up some local Amish Spaetzle and Honey.  

      The next day we pushed on farther east but believe me we'll be back.  No, it's not full hookups with all the bells and whistles, but for an overnight on the road this place has a lot to offer.  Free camping, good food.......who could ask for more?

"You don't have to be rich to travel well"  

Eugene Fodor