Traditional Fish Cleaning

To “clean” a fish means to prepare it for preservation, cooking, or immediate consumption. It’s a fundamental component of sustenance fishing, and there are MANY styles and techniques for doing so.

Reasonably, there is a significant difference between a commercial fishing boat that yields a thousand animals per day, and a lone traveller looking to score a day’s dinner. Therefore, fish cleaning means and methods very greatly.

From my experience, the older the technique—the more intimate and direct it feels. As I’ve mentioned earlier, much of my enjoyment of fishing involves reflecting on its past. Thus, I’m always intrigued by traditional and REALLY old-school fishing tricks and tactics.

I’ll admit—I’m not crazy about ice fishing. Typically, I prefer warm weather, no matter what I’m doing. Still, I respect the depth of history it has in arctic regions. By imagining the conditions and challenges they faced, as long ago as they did, it warms my chest like a dose of brandy from a St. Bernard’s rescue flask. Regardless of what you’re passionate about, periodically remembering to appreciate its origin may revitalize the very passion itself.

The gentleman in the video below does an excellent job of species-specific cleaning of a yellow perch. Please listen carefully to his narration as the video plays. Also, keep in mind that his method is based on a deeply rooted hunter-gatherer tradition, which is well refined. 

The gentleman in the video above does an excellent job of species-specific cleaning of a yellow perch. Please listen carefully to his narration as the video plays. Also, keep in mind that his method is based on a deeply rooted hunter-gatherer tradition, which is well refined.

Beyond the obvious tutorial aspect of this video, is the humility and respect the instructor humbly embodies. There’s a sincere signal of significance that he believes in what he does. Believing in what you do FAR exceeds how you may actually do it, regardless of what it is that you're doing. Fishing = winning, all day.