I found that one does not need to be present for the whole smoking process. Cured some salmon treats Sunday afternoon. Woke up at 2 am Monday . Pulled fish out of cure,rinsed, racked and air dried with a small fan til 4 am ,where I awoke again for my fishing day. Plugged in the smoker at 4:10 am,tossed in the pan full of chips,rack in same time. Return home 10:30 am,add another pan of chips. Finished off at 1 pm.
Smoking fish while fishing.