How to Catch Clean and Cook Your Fish

Is catching, cleaning and cooking fish really worth all the work?

Find out in the latest episode of Homesteady, where we break down how to go out and harvest wild caught fish from the rivers and streams around you!

How did I get hooked on fishing because of the one that got away? What is the best way to catch, clean and cook trout? Does Accountant Mike think fishing is a good way to put food on the table? Find out… Listen to this months episode of Homesteady!

In this Episode…

Everyone has a fish story.

I have one that shaped my life. The story of biggie bass. As a young boy, I hooked onto a nice bass that broke off by the boat. I was crushed… and determined to get even.

Ever since I have been a dedicated fisherman.

I love heading out and spending the morning stream side, trying to bring dinner home. I love the feeling of catching, cleaning and eating a delicious fresh fish dinner!

Here is the big question…

Is all the work involved in fishing really worth it?

Can a homesteader save money by catching fresh fish? It is worth the time spend?

In this episode we decided to figure this answer out based on the idea that you could go out on opening day, and fish for stocked trout in local bodies of water. This way your spending time fishing in a target rich environment where your more likely to have success.

Every year I am able to spend a few hours at a local fishing hole and limit out on 5 trout. Is this saving me money in the long run?

To figure this out first you have to break down your expenses.

The first time you go fishing you need to buy yourself a pole, some basic gear, and a fishing license.

A nice starting fishing pole combo is going to run you around $80, plus $20 in basic tackle (hooks, weights, etc.) and around $20 on a fishing license puts you at around $120 in startup cost for your basic fishing setup.

Ok, now that you have your total expenses, next you need to figure out what your catch is worth.

To do this, we compared the price of buying fish locally. I can purchase trout at my local stores for $12 per trout. That means that our opening day limit is valued at $60.

Not too bad for a morning spend at my favorite fishing hole enjoying the day in one of my favorite ways!

So, a daily limit is 5 fish where I live. If I can manage to limit out on trout 3 mornings in my first year, I now have passed the expense of my equipment and license, and if I keep up this habit for the next few years, I will be officially saving money wile spending some time fishing!

Catching and Cooking Trout

The Clinch Knot
video by Bassn USA