| Fishing is a very relaxing and enjoyable | | | | de-scaled or not? It's easy. Just lay |
| way to spend a quiet day or two. But | | | | your fish flat on the cleaning surface, |
| beginners to this great sport and | | | | then use the dull edge of a knife to |
| pastime usually concentrate on learning | | | | stroke or de-scale the fish from the |
| how to fish. Usually that would be an | | | | tail to the head. Use short strokes and |
| admirable quality, and I thoroughly | | | | position the knife at around a 90-degree |
| recommend it for other beginners as | | | | angle. Now look at the scales. If they |
| well. But learning how to fish is not | | | | are big and flat, then your fish needs |
| the be-all and catch-all; you also have | | | | de-scaling. |
| to know what to do after you've caught | | | | After removing its scales, cut it from |
| your fish. | | | | the gills to the vent. Open it up and |
| Yes, folks, you do have to clean and gut | | | | remove the entrails by hand. Scrape |
| your fish. I understand that for a few, | | | | along the backbone to remove the blood |
| this would seem like a chore they'd want | | | | vein. You can use a spoon or even your |
| to avoid, but for me it's just an | | | | thumbnail to do this. Wash your fish |
| integral part of fishing and of life in | | | | thoroughly with cold water. Now, if |
| the outdoors in general. You caught it, | | | | you're planning on cooking the fish |
| you clean it. And if you want to learn | | | | whole, then you have to remove its |
| how to properly clean your fish, I've | | | | dorsal fin. Cut the fish along both |
| provided some essential tips in this | | | | sides of its dorsal fin and pull with a |
| article just for you. | | | | pair of pliers. Wash the fish again and |
| There are several ways to clean a fish. | | | | you're done. |
| The easiest way would be to lay it on | | | | A few more things to remember. Before |
| its side and cut from the gills to the | | | | cleaning your fish, wash it first using |
| backbone using a sharp knife. it, or if | | | | cold running water; tap water if |
| you prefer, you can just cook the fish | | | | possible. Do not wash your fish in the |
| until the skin starts to peel away. | | | | lake or river if you can help it. |
| When you remove the The entrails will | | | | Always use sharp knives for cleaning |
| just come right out when you snap and | | | | your fish, and always be careful when |
| pull out the head. Then you have to cut | | | | using knives. When you want to store |
| along the belly from the gills down to | | | | fish in a cooler filled with ice, make |
| the vent. The vent is the tiny anal | | | | sure that the fish does not lie around |
| opening near the tail of the fish. | | | | in the melted ice water. Place the fish |
| Scrape the backbone inside the fish to | | | | so that the water drains away from it, |
| remove the blood vein. You can then | | | | and the cavity must face down as well. |
| rinse it with running cold water and | | | | This is to avoid having water pool |
| skin skin, the dorsal fin will easily | | | | inside the fish. |
| follow. | | | | Now you know how to clean a fish. I |
| You can also clean a fish by rinsing it | | | | have also written an article teaching |
| first with cold water and removing the | | | | beginners how to bone and skin their |
| scales. Remember though, that not all | | | | fish, so if you need any tips with that, |
| fish need to be de-scaled. Now, how | | | | feel free to read it. Enjoy fishing! |
| would you know if your fish needs to be | | | | |