Great guidebook to Iowa area fish. Growing up a quarter mile from the Cedar in Linn County we ate a fair amount of catfish from its muddy waters, and caught more than a few carp. The carp, we were told by Mom, who I suspect didn't like dealing with fish in addition to 4 kids , the farm and all that went with it, were only fit for smoking, and not hers to deal with. Luckily, a neighbor had a homeade smoker made from an old Kelvinator refrigerator, complete with the no doubt cadmium plated shelving grates from the factory.Luckily(?) , the plating probably eroded off slowly so we only got a minimal dose! He smoked a lot of fish, as he ran illegal "hoop nets" baited with the most foul rancid cheese, purchased from some factory in Muscatine, if memory serves. That was in the mid 1960s, and I remember being overjoyed that my 11 year old self was being allowed to help in the jon boats and hanging around with the older "river rats" who trucked in illegal hoop netting. Not sure why my otherwise strict Catholic mom allowed such companionship, as those guys told stories and jokes and used language I never heard my Dad use. Education comes in many forms, I guess.Sorry for the long winded trip down memory lane. What I started to ask is" how safe are fish to eat caught today in any of the major Iowa rivers?"
A tour de force for fishing, comparable to the newsprint-sized posting on male dress by Bill Reichardt that hung inside my closet door for 30 years back when a tie was required.
Congratulations, Chris, on "The Swine Republic" being selected as a "Great Reads From Great Places"! And ... while I always thought you were very knowledgeable regarding water quality, I am now sure that you are an expert on fish! (Though pike ahead of walleye? Hmmm?)
Hey, congratulations on the book achievement! And I am pleased that you are gainfully "employed" in retirement.
Brought back memories of my grandfather who used to take a weekday off frequently to fish Lake Puckaway in WI. He brought back dozens of bullhead that he gutted and skinned, then my grandmother would fry them all up for the best supper ever! Puckaway you could wade across then and not go deeper than your knees. Full of weeds and "folle avoine," the wild rice so coveted by the Wisconsin natives.
I like that you are expanding your writing. Time to take up fly fishing?
I have a large funnel I bought at Cabelas or someplace similar. It came with some big cone filters that cost about $1 each so I just started using cheesecloth as the filter.
I must say the most enjoyable and informative reading. One little note about Carp. Many yrs ago learned skinning small carp, cleaning and chunking up the meat and small bones. Pack in pint jars, salt, white vinegar, and pressure cook. when ate it the small bones just crunched away and was very good eating.
All these fish and the water and environment they need are clear reasons why it’s important to make Iowa a greater place!
Great guidebook to Iowa area fish. Growing up a quarter mile from the Cedar in Linn County we ate a fair amount of catfish from its muddy waters, and caught more than a few carp. The carp, we were told by Mom, who I suspect didn't like dealing with fish in addition to 4 kids , the farm and all that went with it, were only fit for smoking, and not hers to deal with. Luckily, a neighbor had a homeade smoker made from an old Kelvinator refrigerator, complete with the no doubt cadmium plated shelving grates from the factory.Luckily(?) , the plating probably eroded off slowly so we only got a minimal dose! He smoked a lot of fish, as he ran illegal "hoop nets" baited with the most foul rancid cheese, purchased from some factory in Muscatine, if memory serves. That was in the mid 1960s, and I remember being overjoyed that my 11 year old self was being allowed to help in the jon boats and hanging around with the older "river rats" who trucked in illegal hoop netting. Not sure why my otherwise strict Catholic mom allowed such companionship, as those guys told stories and jokes and used language I never heard my Dad use. Education comes in many forms, I guess.Sorry for the long winded trip down memory lane. What I started to ask is" how safe are fish to eat caught today in any of the major Iowa rivers?"
I think the small individuals in most streams are safe
Brilliant Chris- your combined knowledge of nature and science is extraordinary!
A tour de force for fishing, comparable to the newsprint-sized posting on male dress by Bill Reichardt that hung inside my closet door for 30 years back when a tie was required.
Congratulations, Chris! We miss you at the community gardens, showing us all up with your green thumb.
Thanks Tara! Although I don’t know that my garden was all that
Congratulations, Chris, on "The Swine Republic" being selected as a "Great Reads From Great Places"! And ... while I always thought you were very knowledgeable regarding water quality, I am now sure that you are an expert on fish! (Though pike ahead of walleye? Hmmm?)
Surprised you slotted northern pike above walleye - those bones are a pain!
I have been contemplating smoking some freshwater drum in my smoker - my grandpa liked eating them.
Hey, congratulations on the book achievement! And I am pleased that you are gainfully "employed" in retirement.
Brought back memories of my grandfather who used to take a weekday off frequently to fish Lake Puckaway in WI. He brought back dozens of bullhead that he gutted and skinned, then my grandmother would fry them all up for the best supper ever! Puckaway you could wade across then and not go deeper than your knees. Full of weeds and "folle avoine," the wild rice so coveted by the Wisconsin natives.
I like that you are expanding your writing. Time to take up fly fishing?
Bernie Leopold
Iowa City
Congratulations on winning a place on the “Great Reads from Great Places” list for the 2024 National Book Festival.
Thank you Mo.
What is your setup for filtering the peanut oil?
I have a large funnel I bought at Cabelas or someplace similar. It came with some big cone filters that cost about $1 each so I just started using cheesecloth as the filter.
CONGRATULATIONS on your book success!!!!
Thank you so much Suzan!
I must say the most enjoyable and informative reading. One little note about Carp. Many yrs ago learned skinning small carp, cleaning and chunking up the meat and small bones. Pack in pint jars, salt, white vinegar, and pressure cook. when ate it the small bones just crunched away and was very good eating.
might have to try it!
I can’t wait to share this great article with my avid fishermen, (husband/son/nephews/brother-in-law)who are also great cooks! Let the debate begin:)
I don't doubt that they will disagree with some of it!