Tom Graham is a little bit legendary, but not as Capt. Tom Graham. No, he is known among members of the Pacific coast fishing community as Capt. Tom F%$#. I got to talk to him on the phone a bit this week, and as I was asking him how he got his nickname I realized that I might not want to know the answer. It turns out, the origin of the nickname is about as straightforward and clean as it could be.

Tom is know for entertaining everyone over the radio with his colorful vocabulary while they are out on their boats. Everyone I talked to has at least one good Tom F. story. He is an accomplished cage dancer, a party genius, a great fisherman, and a gifted vulgar story teller. I can’t wait until I get to hang out with him in person. My social skill set is remarkably similar to his.

Tom F. hauled in some lovely albacore for us this week about 50 miles west of Point Arena. Tom usually fishes for salmon, but this season is pretty much over and he decided to turn his attention to albacore. The fish are lovely. They have big anime eyes and aerodynamic silver-skinned bodies. They look like something out of a cartoon.

You will be getting fresh chunks of skinless albacore loin. Full shares should have at least one full loin. The best way to store the fish is in the plastic bag it came in on ice in your refrigerator. If you plan on eating the fish raw, be aware that it is advisable to freeze and thaw it before you eat it. Freezing (and cooking) will kill the parasites that can be present in wild fish.

Enjoy!