So So at Echo 7-22-21

[wiperhunter2]

It's a dilemma for me. I have a brand new boat that I really enjoy using, but dread the thought of damaging it due to low water conditions. Then there's the idea of driving all the way to Strawberry for fish I can't keep and wouldn't enjoy eating if I could. Frankly, I'd rather risk the Mantua Mafia and catch bluegill than pay the confiscatory launch fees at the Berry knowing I'd come home empty-handed. I am not a catch and release guy who only fishes for the tugs. I enjoy the tugs, but my childhood taught me that fishing is primarily a food gathering task. Let me put those years into perspective: we sought out and ate carp.

I like to fish for all types of species, but In the end I like to eat fish as well.  There are days I do the catch and release thing, but most trips involve putting a bag of ice in the cooler to cool down those fish I plan on taking home. Bass, panfish, walleye, wipers, cats both channel and bullhead, then the trout and kokes.  They all grace the table at my house. I grew up eating trout and still enjoy it, only hate the pin bones.

I know not a lot of folks bottle fish anymore but it's the best way to deal with those small pin bones in trout and kokanee. We started doing it for the kokes we catch over three years ago now and it was the best thing I have ever done for preserving fish, especially kokes. I prefer smoking them first, to give them that nice smoky flavor, so when you do that, no other spices are required. I found out smoking walleye and other warm water fish does not work out so well, so seasoning is required for them but it's not too hard and it's much better than freezing the fillets, even if you vacuum pack them.