I am a picnic fan for two reasons: they tend to include simple, local food and they indicate that some sort of adventure is underway.

The last beach picnic I had included fresh crab from the local market, eaten in the dunes on the Oregon coast. But for this recipe I've chosen my favorite—smoked fish—as a nod to the shores of Lake Superior, where I first learned the joy of taking a break from exploring to eat a simple meal.