Tommy & Amy of Florida enjoyed their first ever trip on the Kenai River this morning, and brought home a beautiful 35 lb+ King Salmon with the help of one of our top Kenai King Salmon guides — known for his resume of 32 years of fishing finesse on this river. A chef in a previous career, for 5 star establishments, Tommy definitely knows how to prepare fish for discerning customers. Had I known this when my fillet knife made its first cut, I might have been a little nervous, but Tommy had already set me at ease and shown appreciation for the animal he just harvested as well as my offer to assist in preparing fillets fit for a king! It was the most enjoyable fish I filleted all year, as I piqued his interest further with each cut and explained the why’s and wherefore’s of my technique with the overarching goal of using every piece of edible meat on this beautiful beast. Not long after we finished, Tommy shared with me that he had just ranked me in the top 3 of the best fillet masters he’s ever seen operate a knife, and I was in good company among renowned chefs he had worked with–a finer compliment I couldn’t have received, although he was sure to surprise me later with a token of his appreciation above and beyond. Thanks again Tommy, hope you’ll return soon.