How many times can you say you know the actual guy who caught your actual salmon?

I can tell you exactly who got this wild Alaska salmon Carla and I are eating.

It was the "Salmon Slinger," aka John Ford, the fisherman who hauled him in, up off Homer, Alaska. John has his own boat, the "Providence." He's out at sea all summer long.

This is what his buddy Matt Baird is telling me, here at the San Diego Farmers’ Market (1735 National Avenue, Barrio Logan, 619-233-3901).

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/18/37092/

The farmers' market in Barrio Logan

"He's out there June through August," Matt says, "fishing away off Homer, Alaska, 12 hours a day."

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/18/37093/

Matt Baird and buddy

Then, seems, John freezes them and sends them south. I mean, the guy is out there in Deadliest Catch territory, catching these beautiful world navigators.

Now I hear he has bought a second boat to fish off San Diego.

I like the fact that he sells through his own stall at farmers' markets, and that he is the real thing out there, just like our tuna fishermen. 'Course they're part of San Diego's waterfront legends who you'll find on the walls of The Waterfront (2044 Kettner Boulevard, 619-232-9656), the bar where all the Portuguese and Italian tunamen hung out, back in the day.

Our salmon? We paid Matt $10.40 for a slab, and it certainly is fresh, moist, tasty, and enough for the two of us.

The Salmon Slinger ("Wild Alaska Fish Market") stall will be back at the market in Barrio Logan tomorrow (Wednesday) and Sunday.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/18/37094/