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It's that time again to give my Big Chief smoker a good work out. A couple of weeks back both Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead trout were on sale at half price for $10/lb and it's been a too long time since I did fish so I couldn't resist, best birthday gift I could give myself. Around 7-8 lbs. Put them in the freezer as frozen fish smokes better and took them out a couple days back. Made a gallon of brine yesterday and they spent the night in the spare fridge in two pots. Took them out at noon, patted them dry and the 29 pieces completely filled the five racks. After running a fan on them for an hour they developed a nice shiny, sticky pellicle and then it's that time to go outside for a 6 hour smoke I figure, maybe a bit less for the thinner pieces. Wood chips of choice is Cherry. This is where the fixed 160 degree temp comes in perfect for smoking fish at low temps over a longer period. The last couple of hours I will be brushing them with maple syrup for an extra sweet treat. This is going to be oh so good. EDIT: I was way off on my time guess. Between a windy cool day and water in my drip tray which I don't normally do at six hours the fish was still mushy so I did the syrup brush, removed the drip tray and it took eleven hours total before the fish was nice and firm but still plenty moist. It was worth the wait, I had family over the next day and a everyone was raving about how good it was. Now the hardest part is having enough control to not pig out on it too much and freeze some for later. Cheers

Dip netting is not a legal means of angling for most sport species , usually just legal bait species, smelt and coarse fish, there was an actual season that it was permitted as well. You really need clarification from a C.O.

My Pointer, Zoe, and my granddaughter, Charlotte, grew up together. They were born 9 days apart. They're the best of buddies...and sometimes I worry more about Charlotte nipping Zoe than the other way around...lol..

Hopefully, we'll be restocking in June !

That's awesome! Going to order some, since all of my BC salmon is long gone...... Doug

Look awesome ! Just a heads up... Wild Fork sells frozen wild Pacific Sockeye fillets for $13.98 a pound. A little more money (sometimes cheaper) than the farmed Atlantic Salmon and "Steelhead Trout" that you usually see in the supermarket, but a huge difference in taste. I personally find the farmed stuff flabby in texture, and not as rich in those delicious natural oils, compared to wild Salmon...especially Sockeye. The nearest Wild Fork retail store to you would be Whitby (if you're ever down that way), also stores in Oakville and Ancaster, but with a minimum $35 order they will ship free to your door.

That's what I thought. I will purchase a licence and get clarification. Cheers, Brent

I tell people that smoked steelhead can last for months in the freezer, weeks in the fridge, and minutes on the plate. Looks delicious! Doug

I shot a ruffed grouse on Saturday at my hunt camp. And since my wife is away, I got to eat the whole thing myself for supper last night. The tastiest part was actually the breast bone piece. After I got home Saturday evening, I had three mallards, one teal, 2 black squirrels and a grouse to clean. Some good eats there! Doug

Sounds very interesting and educational ! Even though you are releasing the fish, you still require a fishing license to capture fish using angling or non-angling methods. I know a number of anglers that never keep anything...they are strictly catch and release. That doesn't exclude them from having to purchase a license. In the regulations, there is a specific list of the species of minnows that can be legally retained to use as bait. I also do believe that once you catch a fish and put it in some type of "container" (even temporarily) that it is considered "retention" under the regulations. You certainly wouldn't legally be able to temporarily retain and photograph a species that was out of season, or out of the slot size. My advice would be to contact the OMNR and speak to an Enforcement Officer for clarification on the legalities of the activity you wish to pursue.

Non-angling methods of capturing fish Ontario and Canadian residents and non-Canadian residents with a valid recreational fishing licence may fish with one dip net, one seine net, one spear or a bow and arrow for the species and during the periods outlined below. If the Zone is not identified below, then there is no open season for that species. Dip nets: may be no more than 183 centimetres on each side if angular, or 183 centimetres in diameter if circular. Seine nets: may be no more than 10 metres long and two metres high.

Thanks for the comments all . I really like working with something new . Gets the brain waves al giddy . I bought a lot box of fly tying stuff . Some stuff was old and useless, but, there was this interesting vise with an adapter on it . Research and low and behold,it,s for tube flys . Search the box and there are some supplies and 2 rod needles . So youtube I go . I only have limited supplies, but managed to come up with my first go of a tube fly. Reverse palmer .There is a Canadian company that sells supplies . Looking forward to another adventure . Can always teach an old dog new tricks .

Yesterday was wild game day in the kitchen, doing some cooking before rifle season for deer........ First up was a big pot of rabbit noodle soup, using a couple cottontails. Next was squirrel pot pie with a couple tree rats. 😉 see pic I also had a couple more cottontails in the pot with the squirrels. They will become rabbit pot pie and rabbit stew. In the meantime, I had a deer neck from last November simmering away all day in the slow cooker. I deboned the meat last night, and this with the stock will become a big pot of hearty venison barley soup. And for supper, I had moose tenderloin with fresh free-range eggs, yum yum!!! Life is good. Doug