CORDOVA, Alaska — Alaska Copper River salmon have begun their long journey from the ocean to dinner plates across the country, as commercial fishermen were allowed to begin casting nets for the fish Thursday morning.
Fishermen in Cordova hope to cash in on the prized salmon, known for its superiority in the culinary world.
Processing plants will get a better idea of the size of Thursday's catch, permitted during a 12-hour period, once ships begin returning later Thursday night. Channel 2 spoke with many fishermen on the water during the opener, however, who said they weren't getting much of a haul.
"It’s been kind of slow, but from what I’ve heard it might be slow all over," said Lyle Kritchen, a 39-year veteran fisherman. "I’m sure they’re catching some fish somewhere."
Reports of a slow start are disappointing to a lot of fishermen who count on days like this year's opener to help dig them out of debt from the last few months.
