Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

DRESSING GAME AND FISH 287To keep fish in camp: scale, behead, and cleanthem ; then string them by a cord through theirtails and hang them, head down, in a shady, breezyplace. They drain well when hung in this way,and that is important.If you stay long in one place, it will pay to sinka covered box in the sloping bank of a stream, tqkeep your fish in. Such a bank is always cool,Hang the fish up separately in the box with rod?or cords. If you lack a box, make a rock-linedcache, covered with flat stones tu keep out mini;and other robbers.Trout may be kept bright, with their spots show^ing lively, for many hours, if each is w^iped andwrapped separately in some absorbent paper, suchas toilet paper, as soon as caught.To keep fish that must be carried some distance,in hot weather: clean them as soon as you can afterthey are caught, and zuipe them dry. Then ruba little salt along their backbones, but nowhereelse, for salt draws the juices. Do not pile themtouching each other, but between layers of paper,cheesecloth, basswood leaves, or ferns.If you are to pack fish in ice, the best way is tohave with you some parchment paper (any mailorderhouse) to keep them from direct contact withthe ice. This paper is strong and waterproof.Everybody ought to know that when fish get wetfrom ice the best of their flavor is stolen. Forthe same reason it is bad practice to carry fish indamp moss or grass. Keep them dry, whether 3^uuhave ice or not.There is a very good thing called a refrigeratorgrip, to be bought of dealers in sporting goods.Outside it looks like a common handbag. Withinare two metal compartments. The upper sectionis filled with cracked ice and the cover is screwedon. The lower one contains food and drink foran outing, and holds your fish on the trip home.It is surrounded by a metal shell into which the