hah! Busted. well, I did for 24 years, so I guess I'm kindof a northwesterner. But salmon and steelhead run up the rivers down here, too, y'know. My neighbor has a tendency to catch 30-pound salmon and then come over and ask me if I want a chunk (that's what made me think to mention the tail section). He smokes a lot of salmon (yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I occasionally smoke some too.
Here's my very favoritest bestest salmon:
Lightly spray or oil an 8-inch glass baking dish. Add minced garlic to taste and brush it around the dish, then arrange salmon filets (or tail steaks!) and add the following on top of the salmon:
1 Anaheim chile, sliced into thin rings
1/2 - 1 cup bite-sized pieces fresh grapefruit
1/2 - 1 cup crushed pineapple
about 1/3 cup fresh lime or lemon juice
a generous splash white wine or vermouth
1 red bell pepper, diced
Sprinkle generously with black pepper and a little salt, then sprinkle generously with brown sugar. Bake at 400 till salmon is translucent. Best served with slices of mango drizzled with fresh lime juice, fresh asparagus, and basmati rice.