Summer is officially here. This year it took forever to get here. Now that it is here, I feel it is half over before it started. There is so much to do in the summer. summertime fishin’, barbecues, swimming, camping, hiking, river rafting and the list goes on.
Fish Are Jumpin’…
The Sport of Fishing
Born and raised in Idaho, fishing is part of our culture. It’s an everyday hobby for many Idahoans. Did you know fishing is considered a sport? Yes! There are competitions for fishing, paying competitions. The idea is to learn the best bait and best spots to catch the most prized fish. Size, weight, and type of fish are all important.
I once knew a gentleman who went fishing for a living. Not on the big commercial fishing boats like you see on the Deadliest Catch TV show. He visited local lakes, streams and creeks…and rivers, everyday to see what he could catch.
I grew up fishing with my grandpa and because I was young enough, he helped me with my bait. Usually a faux fly rather than a worm or other live bait. My interest in fishing waned as I got older because I didn’t like the idea of gutting the fish. However, most of my family still enjoys fishing and struggle with finding time to do more of it.
The Art of Fishing
Not everyone has had the fortune of living in a fishing state. Have no worries though. When you go fishing and cast, well, you are dropping your line in the water. A fishing hole refers to a special spot which generally proves to be a successful location for catching fish. All this is elementary knowledge, BUT it had to be learned sometime and somewhere. You are in luck too. Right here, you have found special tools to help you learn the world of fishing.
Fishing is an activity you can learn at any age. In fact, I recommend fishing is a must try sport. However, it is more than a sport. Especially for folks who fish frequently and throughout their lives. Fishing becomes an art. A true example of this artistry was best filmed in the movie, A River Runs Through It. The movie is an exquisite example of the life of a die-hard fisherman. (However, the main character is riddled with alcohol addiction and that does not portray accurately most fisherman). It does provide breath taking moments of casting beauty and the thrill of reeling in your catch.
For those experienced fishermen, I present to you advanced information to fine tune your art. To become a true master in life at anything, we must continue to pursue more knowledge. Here is your opportunity to fine tune what you already know and discover surprisingly new tips.
Grilling Time
Catch and release is predominantly the goal of the avid fisherman. However, fish are an incredibly healthy option for our diets. Salmon is touted as one of the best and highest rated foods to consume for your general health. Definitely, you need to be aware of fishing catch laws and limits before you set out for a fishing adventure. Bring home only what your family will consume up to the catch amount allowable. This is responsible fishing and helps keep the integrity of the sport.
Now that you have your fish, let’s talk methods for preparing it. You can eat fish tartare, as sashimi, as sushi or it can be cooked. Boil, poach, bake. They all work. The best tasting trout I ever had was fresh from the river, wrapped in foil with butter, herbs and seasonings and cooked over the campfire. Prepared like that, the trout just melts in your mouth.
Why Prefer Grilling
Typically, I prefer grilling. There is a smokiness that permeates the meat adding this delightful flavor to the fish. Grilling is healthier than frying fish and you still get a crispy skin. Avoid all the breading normally associated with frying fish. However, grilling is not the same thing as barbecuing. Barbecuing fish is likely to eliminate the tenderness of the fish.
Barbecue is On
Barbecuing and Grilling are often words interchanged but they do have distinct differences. Both are immensely popular activities in the summertime. Of course, barbecues and grilling are not exclusive cooking methods for the summer only. However, people tend to participate in more outdoor gatherings which involve sharing a meal. They come together in parks, campgrounds, backyards and outdoor patios/venues everywhere.
Not everyone loves fish. And fish aren’t generally meant for barbecuing. However, this is a method that works quite well when you are cooking a big slab of salmon or cod. Impress your friends by learning the best barbecue tricks of the trade. Imagine how you will feel when you become a master artist in competitive fishing. Next, top it off by winning awards for barbecue competitions. You have heard of a Fish Feed before, right? Now all you need is to pair your fish (or any other meat) with a side dish or two and some wine.
PIT MASTER
YOUR OWN SALMON FEED
Check Out These Recipes:
Strawberry Mandarin Orange Salad
Summer Meals and Wine
Wine is great year around and there is a wine for every meal. In fact, pairing a wine with a meal is a true talent. That is a job I would like to have…finding the right wine for dinner. Oh, wait! I DO get to do that. My job is all about wine and pairing and sharing! I am such a lucky person. When you decide you are ready to make a change in your life and mine sounds interesting, register for updates on my website. I will share with you how I do this and how you too can get started! Registration is at the top of this page on the side.
As for pairing wines with meals, it takes a little practice to be good at it. However, the best part is trying the wines with the foods. The old saying, “you don’t know until you try it”. But my wine club provides me with suggested food pairings for each fine wine delivered to my door. I have also learned, the lighter the protein, the softer the wine. For example, a roast beef stew is well paired with a hearty bold Merlot. Meanwhile, a grilled rainbow trout is complimented quite nicely with a crisp fruity Pinot Grigio.
FIND YOUR BEST FINE WINE DEALS
TODAY, HERE!
Visit all our categories and pages of Madhatter’s Magnificent Market!
Return to the HOME PAGE to decide which category to shop next!
Response Magic