Compiled by Adam Fornear
Late last week Andy Mack and I were chatting about how good it would be to go out on the lake and catch some bluegills to fry and make some delicious fish tacos. So later on that evening, we hit the lake searching for some eater bluegills and maybe a smallmouth bass or two. After exploring a couple of known spots, we located some big gills (as they say in the fishing world) that were hungry for worms. Andy landed the first gill, but I followed quickly with one. These were some nice-sized fish and they would’ve filleted up great for dinner that night, but it was getting a little late, and after landing the first couple of gills we just decided to let them go… ready to be caught another day.
But a week later, I’m still thinking about frying some gills up for a dinner! I’m thinking of going out tonight to catch a couple, and if I do, this is how I cook them up. I like to keep the fish frying process as simple as possible.
Step 1: Scramble up one egg in a small bowl, then “wash” the fillets in the egg.
Step 2: To make the batter: I use a 50/50 mix of Drakes batter mix (looks like box was made in 1960) and cornmeal. You can use Shore Lunch batter mix as well, but still mix it with cornmeal. I find that if you just use a mix out of the box that it collects too much oil when frying. I prefer a really thin, crunchy mix. Take a one quart plastic bag and put your batter mix of Drakes/Cornmeal in and shake up to mix the two ingredients. Then, place a couple egg washed fillets into bag and shake around, coating the fillets. Take them out and put them aside on a plate, ready to be fried.
Step 3: Heat up 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a high-sided fry pan till it’s hot, then back off the heat. Slide the battered fish into oil and cook until golden brown then flip and cook for a couple minutes longer. I always take one piece out and break open to make sure the meat is flaky.
Step 4: Place cooked fish on plate that has some paper towel over it (this soaks up some of the oil). Then immediately sprinkle some cayenne pepper on the fillets.
Step 5: EAT!
Where is he now: still fishing for bluegills on Lake Nebagamon!
I’ve been cooking fish just like this for a while now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you catch a big one this summer and fry it at home, send us some pictures so we can share them in the next Arrowhead! Alright, time to get back to work. I trust everyone is still getting outside and soaking up some Vitamin D. As you can see below there is not a ton of news to report…so for next month’s Arrowhead could you do me a solid and send any news of what you’ve been doing? You can email me at [email protected]. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW that Ben Laytin (Chicago) has started his own website about baseball — check it out at baseballnewsnow.com. Nice Work, Ben!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Bailey Aro Hutchence (Duluth ’08-’10,’12) and Joe “Hutch” Hutchence (Duluth ’07-‘12) who met at camp 12 years ago, recently launched a new business called Cedar Bound. Cedar Bound offers buildable cabin kits nationwide. Super cool cabins that are a mix of stick-built construction with classic wall tent features. Check out their website at cedarbound.com for the full story…super cool design. Todd Ahlers (Chicago/Winter Park, CO ’16-‘18) is fighting wildland forest fires this summer for the Cedar City Hotshots based out of Cedar City, UT.