It’s the end of June already, the hex are on the Au Sable in several different spots and soon (if not already) will appear on the Manistee, Boardman, Jordan and other rivers …and, despite hours spent trying to outwit trout, I have yet to fry one up in bacon grease for breakfast. But on the next trip North – next week – I plan to do just that.
Call it a carnivorous indulgence if you will, but just as I eat pheasant, grouse, woodcock and other game Seamus and I hunt, an occasional meal of brookies or rainbows fit just as well on my menu.
There will undoubtedly be those who turn their eyebrows up at my grousing about keeping and eating a trout, but get over it, it’s going to happen. In fact, plans are set of where and how to get it done.
First off, I need to get on the Jordan. It’s been too long since I stumbled my way downstream thru Rainbow Bend fishing traditional wet flies; allowing them to be drug by the current until the line straightens and they swing across and up. BWOs and soft hackles are a staple.
Not every fish is kept. In fact, only enough for a meal will end up in my wicker creel lined with sweet ferns. But as sure as Seamus looks forward to sharing my bacon in the morning, I’m salivating for brookies fried in bacon grease, pouched eggs and fresh ground coffee.
It doesn’t get any better than that.
TD
One of the best Breakfast I remember was: Fresh Brookies fried in bacon grease with scrambled Eggs, and Toast cooked on a wood stove one fall morning many years ago.
We’re on the same page, John.
Hey Terry, enjoy the meal. I have not kept a trout in years yet I feel we are treating keeping a fish like it murder. There is place for C&R in this state and I support it but it seems as though if given the chance some would apply it across the board. I think kids in particular need to understand where a meal comes from and then let them decide what type of fisherman they want to be. If you follow the rules I’m good with it.
Hi Tom,
Absolutely, without catching a fish for a meal once in a while, we’re almost turning into PETA. Regulations of size and creel limit are set up to manage the resource. I think we kill a lot of fish by releasing them anyway if they’ve been too exhausted. Anyway, they taste great.
Terry