Alaska's prized Copper River salmon are on their way

Upscale seafood markets and restaurants in Alaska and around the country are getting ready to go wild to buy up and cook wild Copper River red and king salmon in a tasty rite of spring.

The first 12-hour commercial fishing opener begins at 7 a.m. Thursday, just 41 hours after the Alaska Department of Fish and Game opens the Copper River district for a seven-hour subsistence fishing opening.

As usual, pomp and circumstance are planned for the arrival of the first reds and kings, including a media event in Seattle marking the first delivery of the popular fresh salmon to gourmet restaurants around town.