LET'S GO SALMON FISHING ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER

A TRUE FISH STORY

 

This happened few years ago, about 2006 or 2007.  I was working at the 2400 Diner one afternoon, and this gentleman came in and ordered a baked salmon. I prepared his salmon, and he was very appreciative of his meal. As a matter of fact, he was so appreciative of his meal, he told me how good it was...about six or seven times. I always appreciate it if someone compliments my cooking, but after the first few times it gets a bit uncomfortable. In order to steer the conversation into a different direction, I decided to throw him a curve ball. I told the gentleman that the secret to good salmon is to get it fresh, and that I catch fresh salmon from the Rappahannock River on a regular basis.

He responded with a certain degree of disbelief, he shook his head and exclaimed "I don't believe that for a second!".
This was a middle aged guy, not a young and naive fool. But I bravely pressed on. I gave him a bewildered look that would've made any actor proud, and tried to sound perfectly reasonable with my explanation.
I said "Look, when they blew up the Embrey Dam a few years back, all the salmon came out of the mountains. Now the river is full of great salmon." I continued with a conspiratorial whisper, "Why don't you get yourself a fishing pole, and go down to Old Mill Park and get yourself some fresh salmon?"
He was finally convinced, my showboating paid off. He looked at me straight in the eyes, and with a nod of his head "I think I'll try that."

(For those that don't know, salmon is an ocean fish, not a river fish. They visit fresh water rivers in Alaska and certain other cold climates in order to spawn. Regardless, there is no salmon within 1000 miles of Virginia.)

About a week later a police officer came to the Diner, and walked straight into the kitchen to pay me a visit. The officer was having a fit. He caught the man going into Old Mill Park with a fishing pole and all the normal supplies, looking for salmon. He even told the police officer that I sent him. It's been over ten years, and every time the police officer sees me he always asks if the salmon is still fresh.