2nd: Choosing A Cook Method & Prepare Your Fish
At this point, you will want to choose a method by which you want to cook your fish. This is kind of where the rubber meets the road, or I guess the fish meets the grill in our scenario… As it will depend greatly on how you cook the fish based on how you prep the fish. If that makes sense?
For example, if you plan to just simply cook your fish in aluminum foil placed in the fire? Probably the easiest and simplest option at that point is to just wrap the fish whole, and place it in the fire. Later once the fish is finished cooking you can then go in and remove the skin along with the bones and other things you do not intend on eating.
However, if you want to opt for a more gourmet option? You could do fish fillets. This will require quite a bit of initial preparation before cooking the fish however once the fish is finished cooking you can begin to eat it right away, as you will have done all the preparation work before cooking the fish.
Cook It Whole
Cooking your fish whole, this basically means cooking it as it looks just after you finished gutting it. This is probably the simplest and easiest way to cook a fish. Given the fact that there isn’t a whole lot of preparation work that needs to be done beforehand.
However, once the fish is cooked you will likely want to skin the fish, which is a very simple process once the fish has been cooked because the skin will simply fall off the fish basically.
Also, you will need to keep a close eye out for bones. As this technique typically will leave bones behind inside the meat we need to keep a close eye out while you eat it. Otherwise, you could end up eating portions of the fish bones. Which isn’t really ideal.
However, if a fish is cooked properly the meat will likely slide off of the bones quite easily. So really, the bones isn’t that big of a deal, because after you have cooked the fish the meat will typically just slide off the bones. Nonetheless, you may likely end up with some bones in the meat you intend to eat. But this is typically the case with most cooking methods, as it can be quite difficult trying to get all of the bones out of the meet.
Remove the Skin And Scales?
Also, some people like to remove all the scales on their fish before they cook it. You can do this by running your knife perpendicular with the fish so that the entire side of the blade rubs against the fish. You will want to do this starting from the tail sliding up toward the head. Or you can use what is known as a fish scaler. It would remove the scales quite easily and it is designed to just simply rub the fish back and forth in order to take out the scales and works quite efficiently.
But in most cases, once the fish is completely cooked the skin, and scales will typically come off quite easily. However, it is totally up to you. Truly there are many different ways that you can eat your fish, it all just depends on what you like and how you like to prep it.
Fish Fillets
More of a gourmet an advanced technique however making fish fillets can be quite tasty, and make for a much more enjoyable meal. However, there is quite a lot more work that will be involved in order to prepare the fish.
The overall goal when trying to fillet a fish is to separate the meat from the bone. There are many different processes that people use in order to do so. Some say theirs is better, or simpler. But to be honest, a large majority of the options available when it comes to filleting a fish can be difficult. But if you’re up for the task, why not give it a try?
I considered writing a step-by-step process below for you. However, I quickly came to realize that the best way to show you the process is by a video that demonstrates the process. I spent some time scouring the internet for a great video that demonstrates the process well, as well as provides you with a simple way as to do it. And I believe I found it, check below:
Now once you have your fish filleted, you can basically go about cooking it in many different ways. You can cut it into strips and do thin fish strips cooked in a pan, or you could simply leave the two halves of the fish as they are and wrap them in aluminum foil and place them in the fire. It is all up to you at this point as to how far you want to take it.
3rd: How To Cooking Your Fish At Camp – The Options You Have
As you likely already know, there are many different options when it comes to cooking your fish at camp. When it comes time for me to decide what method I’m going to use, I typically like to weigh two different factors.
First, I simply asked myself, what kind of a meal am I looking for? I want something really flavorful, and gourmet like? Or would it be better if I went simple, and just fixed food to fill me up?
Second, what equipment do I have to prep and cook my fish? Or, how available are some of the resources I will need in order to cook my fish in a specific way?
I ask myself these questions because well, whenever I go backpacking I don’t quite have the luxury of being able to carry along a big, nice stove, or multiple pots and pans. Instead I typically have to resort to using my little backpacking stove, are using my campfire.
Which I mean you can make some pretty decent, gourmet meals with just a simple backpacking stove, and/or your campfire. But it will likely be much more challenging.
Options For Cooking Your Fish At Camp
Cooking fish while you are camping can be quite difficult at times. But it can also be quite simple. It all just depends upon the cooking method to which you are I’ve chosen to go with, along with the amount of preparation it requires in order to prepare the fish to be cooked.
me personally, I prefer to go with the method that is the simplest. However whenever I am with a large group which I planned on making it a decent-sized, gourmet fish meal. It’s not too often because it typically requires a lot of effort in order to achieve.
However, that’s not to say that I don’t like to prepare my fish well before I cook and eat it. To be honest, I am probably one of the pickiest eaters out there. But I do enjoy going to the process of catching my own fish, preparing it, and then cooking it for dinner. It is especially satisfying when I am camping.
Below are all of the methods I could think of for cooking fish at camp / in the backcountry.
* Cook Your Fish On The Grill
The beauty of camping in a state or local cared for mountain range is that typically they come with some desirable features. such as a campsite BBQ Grill, As well as picnic tables. if you have access to a barbecue grill, or you’re able to bring along your own barbecue grill?
The beauty of camping in a state or local cared for mountain range is that typically they come with some desirable features. such as a campsite BBQ Grill, As well as picnic tables. if you have access to a barbecue grill, or you’re able to bring along your own barbecue grill?
The using the barbecue grill whether it’s yours or not could be a very good option. basically, it would be like cooking your fish at home. Which the pros of that, I mean are, quite extensive. as you could go quite far with repairing and creating a well-designed, gourmet meal.
The only downside to using a barbecue grill is the fact that if your fish starts to break up into pieces you could end up losing portions of the fish inside the barbecue grill. Given the fact that common barbecues typically have half-inch gaps in the barbecue slate. But this can be easily avoided as long as you are careful when you flip the fish.
* Cook Your Fish In A Pan
Just a simple pan can go quite far when it comes to cooking fish. You can cook a fish on a bbq grill, inside of a pan. This will lessen the likelihood of you losing portions of your fish through the grates of the barbecue grill.
But you can also use a pan over a fire, on a mini backpacking stove, or even over a well-made candle… haha, if that is your style. But I mean the overall options that you have when it comes to cooking your fish in a pan can vary quite greatly given the fact that all you need with a pan is just flame underneath.
For me personally, I cook fish in a pan probably most often. Because it is just so simple, and there isn’t a whole lot of need for much more equipment. Other than my small camping stove that I take along with me on backpacking trips and when I go car camping.
* Boil Your Fish
It may sound a little bit distasteful to some. However, boiling fish can be a very good, and viable option for many. Plus you can get a little bit creative with the flavors you cook with, and boil your fish in wine and other liquids.
Personally, I have never boiled my fish. Nonetheless, that does not mean that I’m not willing to try it. I just have simply used more conventional methods in the past. However, in the near future, I will have to do this, as I would love to see how it tastes and how it is done.
This may be a fairly viable option for many backpackers, given the fact that most backpacking stoves come equipped with a large pot that is more meant for cooking soups, noodles, and other more flexible meals.
However, they aren’t really designed for cooking fish whole. But if you were to cut the fish up, and place it in some boiling liquid such as water or wine along with some other seasonings and vegetables if possible. You could have yourself a decent meal.
That’s not to say that only backpackers should use this idea, as I think it is a method that could be used by many.
* Cook Your Fish Over The Fire
Most people prefer the method of cooking their fish by using a campfire. Some prefer to hang their fish over the fire, while others prefer to set their fish inside the fire. Either method will cook the fish as long as you have you’re cooking set up set properly. Enter by that I mean I need the fish sitting in the proper place so that it gets fully cooked. If you have the fish hanging too far outside of the fire or above the fire the fish may not cook completely. Which can be quite bothersome especially if it required a lot of effort in order to set up the fish because now you have to go about setting up the fish again but this time in a better spot.
However, setting up your fish probably the easiest part of it all oh, the hardest part is knowing when it is done, or how long it needs to sit in order to fully cook.
The best way of testing fish to know if it is cooked completely is by simply picking at it with a fork, it’s a fish flakes apart you know that it’s cooked. Check out this article if you’d like to know more about “how to tell if a fish is finished cooking”.
* Wrapped Your Fish in Aluminum Foil
You likely noticed above, that I said you can cook your fish inside a fire. Well obviously you can’t simply just throw your fish inside the fire, otherwise, it will burn and baked to a crisp… Which is obviously not the intention here.
Rather it is best if you wrap your fish in aluminum foil or something alike. By doing this you will protect the fish from the open flame, but it will still receive the heat and cook the fish thoroughly if left in the fire long enough.
how do you wrap a fish in aluminum foil and place it inside the fire pit it is basically like creating a small oven for the fish to sit inside of. Many like to put vegetables and other seasonings and spices inside the aluminum foil with fish. But it always based upon personal preference and how you like your fish.
Now I’ve spoken a lot about cooking fish in a fire pit. However, you can also cook your fish in a pan, or on the grill wrapped in aluminum foil. At this point, the pros of having your fish wrapped in aluminum foil are first, that you can season the fish, and basically have it marinating in all the seasonings. Second, when you flip the fish you don’t have to worry about pieces of a fish flaking off and falling down inside the barbecue grill. The aluminum foil will basically hold everything together inside the Aluminum Foil Cocoon.
4th: Enjoy, But Keep An Eye Out For Bones
Probably the most difficult part about catching your own fish, field dressing it, and then cooking it are the bones. The bones of a fish are very small, and often times will break off and end up inside the meat.
Obviously, there are many tips and tactics out there for removing the bones from the fish meat, it can be done before you cook the meat, or after. But in most cases, many typically miss portions of the rib cage. Which end up getting cooked with the meat and then later potentially eatten.
It is a good idea to keep in mind this what are eating fish, as you typically want to avoid eating the bones of a fish. However some say it is not that big of a deal, but I prefer to avoid it.
But this can be quite simple to avoid as long as you keep in mind the fact there may be bones inside the fish while you were eating it. Because you will feel the bones in most cases as you chew it. If this is the case simply pull the bone out of your mouth and continue eating the meat.
Conclusion
Cooking fish at camp, whether you are backpacking or to simply car camping can be quite easy, but it can also be quite tough if you don’t understand or know what you are doing.
Probably the main thing I have learned over the years of camping and cooking fish at camp is that you can be quite creative with the way that you tell about preparing and cooking your fish.
If there is a portion of that fish that you do not want to eat, simply cut it off. If there’s a specific way they want to cook your fish? Go about doing it that way. Just simply use common sense and do not hurt yourself in the process.
I hope this article provided you with some value, and you are now prepared to go fishing in the backcountry and cook the fish that you catch. This is colt signing off!
Oh, and if you’ve got any questions or comments I’d love to hear them below.