Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2017 - 63

photo-Jerry Bush

Angler's Notebook
by Jerry Bush

A fish-cleaning table of 33- to 38-inches should be
on every angler's list of "must haves" for this fishing
season. For years, I used a board across sawhorses or
kneeled over newspapers to prepare fish for the freezer.
While remodeling our kitchen a few years ago, I kept a
portion of the old countertop to create a fish-cleaning
station. I now consider it one of my most valuable fishing
accessories. Economical cleaning tables are also available
for purchase.

white or yellow Woolly Buggers. As for natural bait, almost
anything will be appreciated by hungry fish.
The best tactic is to fish slow and deep for winter trout.
Winter streams will often be low, and the water will often be
clear. Steelheads become active when tributary waters are
cloudy. Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout and Brown Trout will
become less active when winter runoffs cause creeks to be
filled with cloudy water.

Bodies of water visited by anglers in April still hold many
fish, and many of those waters benefit from late autumn and
early winter trout stocking programs. Minnow imitations
are effective for winter baits. Smaller spinners in light colors
and chrome blades are great choices for spin-cast anglers.
Favorites for fly anglers include Clouser Minnows and

Fishin' from the Kitchen

Baked Pike Over Lentil Stew
by Wayne Phillips

An ideal winter meal is roasted pike topped with a warm
cherry tomato topping served over a hearty vegetablepacked lentil stew.
Ingredients for four servings:
* 4- 6- to 8-ounce pieces of boneless, skinless pike fillets
* 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
* 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
* Salt and black pepper to taste
Lentil stew ingredients for four servings:
* 11/2 cups green lentils
* 1/2 cup each of celery, carrots and onions, finely diced
* 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
* 3 cups water or stock
* Salt and black pepper to taste

Procedure

In a large saucepan, simmer lentils and vegetables for an
hour or until the lentils are soft and the water or stock has
been absorbed. Season with salt and black pepper. Brush
pike fillets with olive oil, and season with salt and black
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ips

Tune up motorized ice augers for January and February
fishing. Begin by inspecting the spark plug. Make sure the
electrode's gap is set properly. If carbon is present on the side
or center electrode, clean it. Examine the ceramic insulator
to assure there are no cracks. If there is any doubt about its
ability to ignite, buy a new spark plug. Remove the foam air
filter, and wash it with a mild detergent. Wrap the foam in
paper towels and squeeze it to remove water. Soak the foam
filter with a lubricating oil before repositioning it. Work the
choke lever to be sure the action to open and close the choke
butterfly is smooth. Start the motor, and make any necessary
adjustments. If the motor starts hard or doesn't start, drain the
gas and try again. If it still doesn't start, you still have plenty of
time to seek professional service.

Steelhead may be found in water close to shore while
waiting for optimal tributary conditions. I recommend a
10-foot long noodle rod for steelhead fishing. Tie on a 1/16- to
1/4-ounce jig that includes a marabou skirt covering a wire
thin hook. Tip the hook with a waxworm. Attach a float
about 12 inches above the lure. To add distance to the cast,
use a narrow weighted float on the bottom.

pepper. Roast
in a 350-degree
F oven until
cooked through,
usually about 20
minutes. Simmer
tomatoes and garlic
in remaining oil until
softened. Season with
salt and black pepper.

Serve

Place a bed of lentil stew on a plate. Put the pike fillet
on top. Spoon the tomato and garlic mixture over the pike.
Drizzle with the tomato cooking oil.

Tips

For a more robust tomato topping, add thyme or oregano.
Lentils have an earthy flavor. Aromatic vegetables like
carrot, celery and onion add additional flavor. Other suitable
vegetables include zucchini, cauliflower or squash. Cooking
the lentils in chicken or beef stock makes a more flavorful
stew. Diced smoky bacon is also good in the lentil stew.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2017

63
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