FORGOTTEN SMELT?
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker
What is a smelt? I had heard of them but never had the pleasure of meeting one or eating one.
I had heard that smelt were little fishes, so the idea of a Smelt Fry peaked my interest.
Some of my friends told me this delicious smelt fry was going to be held before Easter.
Then, being the curious person that i am, I started asking many questions.” Where do you get all the little smelt to feed a bunch of smelt connoisseurs “Do people go out and go smelt fishing with a fishing pole or a net?
Now, after they are caught, do eaters of smelt cut off the head, tail, and how are these made ready to eat?
In my search for knowledge, i learned that smelts are a family of small fish, typically 6-8 inches long, found in both freshwater and saltwater environments. They are often eaten whole and are considered a low-mercury, nutrient-rich food source
And yes! You can eat the head and the bones are soft enough to eat. Of course i wonder if they eat the smelts eyes?
Well since i know this, I don’t think they sound appetizing.
Smelts feed on crustaceans, bugs and also reportedly they sometimes eat their young’ns
However, sharks, whales and bigger fish love to snack on smelt. So between fishermen and other animals eating them i say,”poor smelts “
If you want to try smelts they are supposedly sold at different stores and mail order. I am in no hurry to try them but i think smelt must be a forgotten fish species. A few years back one of the lakes had a huge dying off of their smelt.
Now this smelt fry included fish and a limited amount of smelt. I don’t plan on going but i think it might be interesting to see the whole procedure.
Well folks, get your fishing gear or nets and let’s go smelt fishing For catching smelt, effective baits include meat, pieces of worms and even bread so grab your bait too.
Do you like smelt? Have you ever cooked any or ate any? Did you eat the smelt whole or take out the innards. Let me know and I’ll give you a Penny for Your Thoughts.
