Alder wood smoked candied salmon jerky, locally made at the other end of Vancouver Island, in Port Hardy.
Hardy Buoys Salmon Jerky begins with fresh local fish for a rich, moist flavour. Cured in a blend of Demerara sugar and salt, the salmon is then gently smoked over smouldering alder wood chips to create the Hardy Buoys signature taste. They do not add any artificial colours or flavours. The products are fully cooked and ready-to-eat right out of the package — perfect for anytime snacking or entertaining.
Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc. is committed to the highest standards for food safety, quality, and sustainable seafood. They participate in ThisFish (Ecotrust Canada) Traceability Program and Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Program.
You can find Hardy Buoys Salmon Jerky in Original and Garlic & Pepper flavours in our Meat Department.
About Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish
Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc. was founded in 1994 by Bruce & Carol Dirom in Port Hardy, at the other end of Vancouver Island. An avid sports fisherman, Bruce recognized a need for a seasonal seafood locker and smokehouse for the many fishing visitors to Port Hardy each summer. He also saw it as a way to supplement his family’s income, while still working full time with a local utilities company. Together with his older brother, they formed the “The Hardy Buoys,” a play-on-words of the “Hardy Boys.”
In June 1994, Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc. opened its doors to a very receptive sports fishing community. By midsummer, word had spread. People who did not catch their own fish were wondering how to get smoked salmon. So Bruce began buying commercially-caught salmon and smoking it for sale from his tiny location. By the second year in business, Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish was selling to major grocery store chains on Vancouver Island. By 1999, Hardy Buoys outgrew its original location and demand forced a major expansion once again in 2008.
Hardy Buoys still opens a special division each year from mid-June to mid-September, catering to seasonal sports fishing. This also supports the local economy. Charters, lodges, hotels and restaurants enjoy increased business largely because people continue to visit North Vancouver Island, knowing their catch can be properly processed. What began as a seasonal hobby evolved into one of the largest businesses in Port Hardy. Today, the company employs 65 people year-round, increasing to 75 in summer.