Well, this cold front has slowed it down a bit, but John Stoker enjoyed his catch from last week so much he sent me an up-to-date pic of it along with some good fish info. He brined this for 45 minutes, sprinkled on some good dry rub then cooked in a dry smoker at about 225° for about a hour.
I’m a deep fry man myself, but I know fish is better for the body if you avoid the grease. I fillet a lot of fish and if they’re going to fry I take off the skin and cut out the red meat in striper and white bass, which gives it a strong taste, but I do get a lot of people that just want the ribs out and skin left on so they can grill or smoke with the skin down and not burn the meat. The red meat up against the skin is then easier to separate with your fork as you’re eating your meal.
Throw some coleslaw on the side and with just a bit of grease make you some hushpuppies. That I know myself thanks to memories with Larry Sheridan and Sheridan’s Ozark Buffet. Two parts yellow corn meal, one part flour. Chopped onions, jalapeños with a bit of juice, then add buttermilk till you get about twice as thick as cornbread mix. Drop in grease with a butter dipper or teaspoon. Will float within a minute. Now eat.
Now if you do want to go fishing I hate to say it but Valentine’s Day looks like the best day this week. Maybe if you buy her some chocolate she will go with you.
All I got on Holiday Island is the walleye are moving and the water that they’re releasing is drawing fish up more every day. On Beaver Lake, walleye, crappie and stripers are all holding down about 20 feet, north of the Hwy. 12 bridge. South of 12 bridge, upriver, they’re finding warmer water along with a bit of mud that’s putting all three species in the upper volume of water and being caught on small bait from 4 – 12 feet deep.
Here in the dam area all I can say is if you don’t see any surface activity, drop that bait down 20 – 30 feet if you’re looking for stripers. Go on the river side if you’re wanting some trout.
Happy Valentine’s Day everybody. Give her a kiss then take off her fish.
Johnson Guide Service (479) 253-2258 www.fishofexcellence.com