Just a couple of weeks ago, on a hot and humid afternoon, we all went down to the beautiful clear creek to swim and cool down from the heat of the day. While we were at the creek some friends came strolling downstream, with a tackle box and fishing poles and they presented us with their fresh catch ~one large Bass, and two smaller fish~ then asked the unavoidable question "can you clean them?" thinking only of crisp, fried fish for supper that night, I enthusiastically said "YES!" We happily waved our goodbyes and thank you's as they waded away through the creek around the bend. Wow, didn't even get my pole wet and we got a mess of fish!
 Heading back up to the house, I realized I'd promised to clean this little mess of fish, something I'd never actually tried my hand at before...and did I make a big mess! But I kept thinking of what a great meal this will make and it kept me goin'. Can't tell you how many times the fish seemed to get its own idea of escaping by slipping out of my hands- I tried not to scream but I did! But what an adventure!
 Of course, our animals came flocking to hang around and gaze hungrily at our much treasured fish. Fleck, the farm dog, wasn't as bad as the cats. They really thought that the fish were a special treat just for them and I was so kind as to be preparing their supper! Taking the water hose that came from our rain barrel I could keep the little makeshift rickety table (that was set up in the yard right outside our summer kitchen) clean, and squirt at the kittys to keep them away when they got too close!
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 As Jasmine was getting our little wood cook stove going, Hannah was reading out loud, at my request, the instructions for gutting and filleting the fish. The gutting wasn't so bad, but the tricky part for me was filleting, didn't want to waste any meat or leave any bones!
While the oil was heating in the cast iron skillet, we battered the fish in corn flour, salt & pepper, then carefully lowered them into the hot oil.....ahhh it was looking good! The fish came out so nice, tender and crisp! Yay! Fried fish at last! The taste was amazing!
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 I love the idea of fishing for food - we have been raising red wrigglers over the years so they will be wonderful bait for sun fish and other pan fish! A friend said to use  the red wigglers by just putting them on the hook right in their middle, so the worm will wiggle, wiggle wiggle, you may lose a few worms but you can catch a lot of fish this way!  
Now that I got the cleaning, scaling, gutting, filleting, frying,  AND  tending the fire down - the next walk to the creek I hope to catch some fish myself - surely I can!
​Many Blessings-
Vicki

Hope y'all are enjoying the end of summer! Cooler days are on the way!

Many Blessings-
The West Ladies