Friday, May 20, 2011

Some Hands On Fishing...!


This is something that most of the men in my family and extended family (cousins and such ) have done for years!

We didn't do it all the time. In fact, it was more of an innocent past time than a regular activity, ya know? I guess we always knew it wasn't allowed by the "LAW", but most of us did it anyway!

All of the catfish we caught ended up in the frying pan or on the grill, so it's not like we wasted them or killed them for spite!



Senate's OK with catching catfish with hands
Associated Press
May 19, 2011, 2:30PM


AUSTIN — Texans who want to catch catfish using only their bare hands would be able to do so legally under legislation approved by the state Senate.

While budget negotiations were teetering on the brink of collapse Thursday, state senators took action to legalize hand fishing, called noodling, in Texas. Right now the fine is $500 for noodling in Texas.

The bill would require “noodlers” to have a fishing license and freshwater fishing stamp.

Enduring joking questions from fellow senators, bill sponsor Sen. Bob Deuell said he’s never noodled, but that the bill needed to be passed for the “noodlers of Texas.”

The measure was already passed by the House and is headed for Gov. Rick Perry’s desk, where his signature would make it law.

Now before you get all upset at me, thinking that the poor ol' catfish was at a disadvantage, let me assure you that is NOT the case! And if you believe that catfish don't have any teeth, forget it!

In fact, the mouth of a catfish is loaded with teeth and they will use them to chew the skin right off your thumb or your hand! Not only that, the catfish is covered with a slimy coating that needs to be removed before you fillet them out!

If you get any of that slime in a cut or wound, it can lead to a nasty infection! Believe me, I know!

Still, despite the trouble, nothing eats as good as a big ol' mess of fried catfish, some fried 'taters and onions, and some hush puppies! Washed down with some good, cold beverage of choice...man, nothing better!

For now, let's get some fresh coffee and sit outside. Got some home made rolls with butter and honey!

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so glad I hate hate hate fish. Yuck.

HermitJim said...

Hey Kris...
I do love me some good ol' fried fish! I like all kinds, but catfish is my favorite!

I really do appreciate you coming by today!

Gorges Smythe said...

I figure anyone with guts enough to stick his hands in a mouth that size (or to try to grab a snapping turtle) shouldn't be penalized by the law!

The Unusual Farmchick said...

I'll stick to the pole & hook. :D Although my husband REALLY wants to go west for that Redneck fishing tournament-the fish come flying high out of the water and you either catch with a net OR ya wack em with a bat. Now if I can only find a way for him to be able to participate being we have no boat...

Ben in Texas said...

Guess Catfish is my favorite fresh water fish. BUT I ain't sticking my hand in their mouth!! I been chomped on by one I hooked over in Mississippi. Dang near lost him when he bit back!!! BUT he sure ate good all breaded and pan fried.

Baby Sis said...

Yeah Bubba, I remember Daddy having some bloodied wrists from noodling in Lampassas. But we never seemed to remember that when we ate those catfish - wonder if he did? But, give me a pole and some bait - I'm with Farmchick on that one. And I'd really like to see that flying fighing trny - sounds like a hoot!

Big hugs - save me some honey!

Michael Ultra said...

Jim,
In grade school, my parents bought a small café located on Lake Texoma. It was perfect for a sixth grader. Dad bought fresh catfish from several of the fisherman. Most of these fish weighed more than 60 pounds. We had a small shed in the back were we would process the big cats and cut them into fillets. That was quite a guttie, bloody job. I can still remember how good those fish were. Funny how some things you don't ever forget.
Thanks for the memories.
Michael
rv0777

Dizzy-Dick said...

You noodlers have more guts than I got. I can think of a hundred reasons not to do it and only one reason to do it: fried catfish.

HermitJim said...

Hey Gorges...
Don't think I would be for grabbing a snapping turtle any time soon! Gotta draw the line somewhere!

Funny, we just never considered the consequences!

Thanks for the visit today!


Hey Sci...
Sounds like those "flying carp"!

Bet you could probably find someone with a boat to loan you!

Good luck...and thanks for coming by today!

HermitJim said...

Hey Ben...
Yep, they will get your attention when they clamp down on your hand!

The eating makes it all worth while, though!

You have a great day, and thanks for the visit this morning!


Hey Sis...
I guess we were lucky enough growing up to have had a lot of fun experiences with the family outdoors!

Never knew we were "poor" but just thought we were lucky!

I appreciate you coming by today, Sis!


Hey Michael...
Seems like most of my memories are good ones! Seems like as I get older, I mostly remember the good times, and forget the bad!

Guess that's nature's way of keeping us happy!

Like you say, some things you just don't forget!

Really do appreciate you dropping in today!


Hey Dizzy...
That right there is reason enough for me! I do love that fried catfish!

Can you tell I'm from the south?

Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!

JoJo said...

That is some big cat fish YIKES but I bet it made some good fried fish. I love cat fish but no one seems to catch them around these parts anymore.
You made a comment to your sis about how you never new you were poor. My dad used to tell us that. He just thought thats they way everyone lived and they were happy.

HermitJim said...

Hey JoJo...
Guess because most of the folks we knew were in the same boat, we never thought about it much!

I remember just how surprised I was at where some of my friends lived when I saw their houses for the first time! Felt sorry for them, because they were all surrounded by small yards and close neighbors...but no empty fields to run around in!

I'd choose the open fields every time!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!

TROUBLEnTX said...

LOVE those fried catfish, ANY way u catch em. Round here, it's kinda known to use grab hooks for those things, lolololol. My young son came carrying his grab hook and the fish, walking home one day, had to explain,,,u just don't do that. hahahaha C my blog for further,,

Bob Mc said...

I've seen video of noodling. I am NOT reaching anywhere with my hands that I can't see. Wonder how often they reach into a hole and find something they aren't expecting?

HermitJim said...

Hey Trouble...
Sometimes you have to take a chance and hope you don't get caught!

After all, it's food, right?

Thanks for dropping by today!


Hey Bob...
Luckily, I never had that problem but it was always on my mind, I'll admit!

After you do it a couple of times, it's not too scary!

I appreciate the visit, my friend!

BigBadSis@gmail.com said...

I would think you had been reading my mind if I had one to read! I have been so hungry for fish. Now when I say fish it goes without saying that I mean fried, doesn't it? I think it must be a southern thang...can't be just me. Them others can have the baked etc.. I also have gone so far as to suggest to friends that next to BBQ and CHICKEN Fried Steak, catfish would probably be the state food of Texas. What do u think?
Love you.

Mayberry said...

Jim, you need to come down here for some of my grilled mahi mahi or tuna steaks. If I can hotwire a boat to get me offshore that is. Otherwise it's fried redfish or grilled trout... And no we don't noodle them. Trout have BIG teeth!

Tatersmama said...

Ah, I never thought that when Uncle Roy would hand us a handful of cheese bread and then have us stick our arms in the holes of Cache Creek that we were maybe breaking the law! We almost lost my sister one time, but an uncle grabbed her legs and pulled her back up on the bank - with the catfish still attached!
We used to get plenty scraped up, but we loved it anyway! And those barbs??? Man, they hurt forever!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hey HJ, only had catfish a couple of times and while it wasn't bad, prefer other types of fish. The home made rolls with butter and honey plus fesh coffee sound great - got leftovers?

HermitJim said...

Hey Sis...
I think catfish may have been the back-up state food!

Either way, makes for some good eatin'!

I really do appreciate you coming by today!


Hey Craig...
Feels strange calling you that after all this time, ya know?

All that fresh fish sounds good to me! I'm really missing "right out of the water dinner"! Its been quite a while!

I really am liking that picture of the pocket cruiser! I could live on it!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!


Hey Tatersmama...
Sounds to me like Uncle Roy had it all figured out! Fishing without getting wet!

Yep, they do have some nasty weapons on them! Just have to be careful!

Thanks so much for coming by today!


Hey Beatrice...
I've heard from lots of folks up north that didn't care for catfish! I think it's mainly a southern dish!

Still pretty good stuff!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!

Anonymous said...

“Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow-creatures is amusing in itself.”
― J.A. Froude

try sticking your fist into your mouth and see if that's still amusing to you.