A Little...Survival Fishing?

Mistwalker

Mistwalker

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Dec 22, 2007
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I was down on the river earlier, I went to see how high the water was after the days of rain.

It was up pretty high, those trees are paper bark maples that I have often used for gathering tinder from. I can usually hop from rock to rock and cross the creek without getting my feet wet. Getting to them today would have meant wading.

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I saw a guy using a familiar fishing technique, but one not often seen around here. He seemed to have had a good bit of practice with it as all his motions were fluid and natural, and he got positive results. I tried to engage him on conversation, however he seemed to not speak any english and my spanish is extremely limited to say the least. He caught four that I noticed while I was in his immediate area.

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Interestingly while the foreigner was keeping everything he caught, a couple of other guys down stream about 20 meters, using rods and reels, were throwing back almost everything they caught. It had been a long day, and I had skipped lunch, and watching all of these fish being caught was making me hungry. I told them if they caught another bluegill of any size and didn't want it that I would take it. So...a few minutes later I had a fresh bluegill and decided on a quick snack. Judging by the looks on their faces what happened next caught all three of them by surprise, but they all started paying attention when I started gathering dry grasses and twigs. The water is really stained right now, so I used the water I had with me to clean with.

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Having caught hundreds of bluegill in AZ as a kid, I'm sad to say I've never eaten one. Always threw 'em back and kept the trout. Nice job and looks good!
 
Pretty cool Brian. I actually like fishing for blue-gill more than bass and although they don't have as much meat, I enjoy them more. Hey Brian, did you cook it up right by those guys that caught it for you?

ROCK6
 
Its not very clear on the pic...is that guy handline fishing?

Looks like the fishing is good in those waters. :thumbup:
 
yes handline fishing with a coke bottle. ive seen a lot of hispanic's catch a ton of fish this way
 
Nice story and shore lunch pics Mist! I like how you used such a small fire for cooking and propped up the fish like that.
 
Nice pics and the two sticks is a nice way to lay the meat out that I havent tried in the field. I have never had bluegill as I always threw em back.
 
LastXJ said:
Having caught hundreds of bluegill in AZ as a kid, I'm sad to say I've never eaten one. Always threw 'em back and kept the trout. Nice job and looks good!
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Thanks, while I do love the flavor of bluegill, but given the choice I'd take trout anyday.


ROCK6 said:
Pretty cool Brian. I actually like fishing for blue-gill more than bass and although they don't have as much meat, I enjoy them more. Hey Brian, did you cook it up right by those guys that caught it for you?

ROCK6
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Thanks Rock, me too Bass do have more meat on them, but I prefer the taste of bluegill over bass. Yep, cooked it at the top of the bank right above where they were fishing.



PropThePolecat said:
Its not very clear on the pic...is that guy handline fishing?

Looks like the fishing is good in those waters. :thumbup:
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Yes, hand-lining with a plastic bottle.

The fishing here is pretty good, I just don't do a lot of fishing here these days.



kgd said:
Nice story and shore lunch pics Mist! I like how you used such a small fire for cooking and propped up the fish like that.
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Thanks Ken, just trying to keep it simple and effective :)


barrabas74 said:
Nice pics and the two sticks is a nice way to lay the meat out that I havent tried in the field. I have never had bluegill as I always threw em back.
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Thanks, it's just a quick, simple way to get the job done. I grew up eating them at least weekly.



sicily02 said:
That was awesome Brian, Thanks, for posting.

Bryan
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Thanks Bryan, glad you enjoyed it.
 
Great stuff Mist!

When I was in Venezuela, we traveled by little boat to different little beaches and such. A couple of little boats were out fishing. I asked the driver of our boat to get close, so I could watch a little.

There were guys hand fishing and pulling in 15lb Dorado! Ouch!
 
tonym said:
Great stuff Mist!

When I was in Venezuela, we traveled by little boat to different little beaches and such. A couple of little boats were out fishing. I asked the driver of our boat to get close, so I could watch a little.

There were guys hand fishing and pulling in 15lb Dorado! Ouch!
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Thanks Tony, yeah, I've heard a lot of stories from my brother's vacations in Venezuela. I here the iguana can be pretty good too.
 
Awesome thread bro and great pictures! One of my favorite hidden fishing holes has a little fire ring just up the bank from the water for when you just can't wait or want a snack while your still fishing.
 
Fletcher Knives said:
Awesome thread bro and great pictures! One of my favorite hidden fishing holes has a little fire ring just up the bank from the water for when you just can't wait or want a snack while your still fishing.
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Thanks bro, yeah...very seldom does everything I catch actually make it home, and often none of it :)
 
NOob question. I have cooked bluegill on the stove and in a fire(or at least seen it done) but I have never seen it done like that. Did you just behead, gut and "butterfly" it open then skewer it to keep it "butterflied"? I can't really tell by the pics on the fire.
 
_woo_ said:
NOob question. I have cooked bluegill on the stove and in a fire(or at least seen it done) but I have never seen it done like that. Did you just behead, gut and "butterfly" it open then skewer it to keep it "butterflied"? I can't really tell by the pics on the fire.
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I'd say that sums it up pretty well :thumbup:
 
Drink bottle reel technique and the snack you cooked, both of them so cool!
Nice thread as usual, mistwalker.
This kind of thread makes me feel better. Thanks for posting.
 
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