Set the alarm for 9:17 p.m.

Web alarm clock for 9:17 p.m.

You are getting the salt, wood chips, and smoking rack ready now, before the fish from the day’s catch needs your full attention. Set the alarm for 9:17 pm so preparation does not drift too close to 10:00 pm. That gives you a clear cue to move from arranging supplies to starting the next part of the smoking job.

Your fish-smoking schedule depends on hearing the alarm while you are still near the work area. Keep the browser running on a device that will remain awake, with the sound turned up enough to carry over a fan or evening traffic. If that device falls asleep before 9:17 pm, the fish alarm will not sound, and the timing you planned for salting, drying, or tending the smoker may slip.

As you lay out the catch in the evening, check whether the light beside the preparation area will still be useful after 9:17 pm. Position a lamp beforehand so it reaches the cutting board, smoker controls, and path between them without throwing your shadow across the fish. Keep the switch easy to reach with clean hands, and set aside a small torch in case an outdoor bulb fails before 10:00 pm.