Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Let's Hear It For Trout!

Yes, today we're talking 'bout trout, wily denizen of freshwater locales the world over. This post was inspired by a visit to the newly-opened eatery just around the corner, "Siam Leaf".  Being a fan of Thai food, I had high hopes for the establishment that had taken over from the ill-fated soul food place, "Jus' Like Ya Ma-Ma's".  Imagine my surprise to discover my favorite fish dish on the menu!  Oh, and  it was delicious, let me tell you.

This particular preparation, freshly grilled, was perhaps the largest trout we've ever been served.  Did we mention that it was done to perfection?  Yum, yum, yum.










So this got us to thinking about trout in general, and we decided to dedicate this week's blog entry to the iconic member of the salmon family.




Most of of these photos are from our travels in the Sierra Nevada, where trout are a prized trophy for fishermen of the fly-casting vartiety.  The baby trout photo was taken at the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery, which was the stock source of California's golden trout for more than 90 years. (It also saved the Colorado cutthroat from extinction in the 1930s)




Trout are, of course, the obsession of the aforementioned fly-casters, with millons of dollars spent each year by people who want to stand  around in creeks and throw monofilament into riffles and runs. Even Hollywood notables such as Brad Pitt and Rock Hudson have tossed their lures into the pool.





And who can forget those crazy "big fish" postcards that vacationers send back to the folks at home? It is to laugh!





TSG once caught a trout bare-handed in Rock Creek, just north of Bishop, CA.  Much to our dismay, we were not hailed for our mad outdoorsy skillz.  Instead, our hiking companions admonished us severely for not having a fishing license!