Mendocino....A Homecoming

(This isn't really a fishing report, but rather a series of pictures and my ramblings. Does it belong in the General Talk section?)


It's been close to 9 months since I have last dove the Mendocino coast. This past weekend I decided to remedy that problem


Like all fishermen, I get a little superstitious and try to maintain certain routines. For Mendo trips, the first stop is at McDonald's inside a Walmart, just outside of Healdsburg. Left pictures was from last October's breakfast and the resulting day's catch. Hoping to have equally great results this trip!





The McDonald's stop did its job and in two days of diving, I was lucky enough to spear a chunky black rockfish and two nice lings





And no, the lingcod in the photo I posted earlier didn't really have two mouths.





It was a ling that had managed to eat a very large fish.






And at the fish cleaning table, I helped extract its last meal, a legal sized cabezon just shy of 16 inches!







There is an aspect of cleaning a fish that I find meditative and almost Zen-like. I love watching videos of Japanese chefs masterfully breaking down a fish with cuts so precise, they are able to lift flesh from bone leaving a nothing behind, but a paper-thin layer of translucence on the spine







I find with each fish I get a little more familiar with that particular species' bone structure, become slightly more proficient with my knife work, and get a little closer toward reaching fish filleting Nirvana







The end result is a beautiful plate of fillets







Each of the pieces get patted dry and is then carefully wrapped








And is sealed awaiting cooking







The belly portions go to Finn who gets fish everyday to supplement his boring kibble







Although I dive quite frequently, it has literally been years since I've prepared or enjoyed abalone sashimi. I'm glad I was able to get a dive in before the July closure

The typical tools minus the mallet.






A full shell of crunchy ocean goodness!

Great pics, keep those posts coming!!

Nice filet job man!
Somebody please show me the right way to sharpen a knife.

O.M.G.

 

A kwok report?!?!

Am I dreaming?!?

 

Great stuff as always Nelson!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...how did that cab taste? 

Excellent knife work, yes something about cutting into meat does calm me down also.

Those are some serious fillets! Nice

great pics and write up!  I like to filet, too.  It's funny how bad it can go, too.  One half is perfect and the other half is road kill.  Definitetly still learning . . . .

Beautiful knife work !

Chadrock - check out YouTube. Lots of great knife sharpening vids. Also a super sharp knife isn't required. Mine are actually a little on the dull side.

Yowlie - Sometimes it's harder to get a nice fillet off the second side after removing the first fillet. What helps is leaving the first fillet attached, flipping the fish over and starting the second side

Jim - more to come!

What helps is leaving the first fillet attached, flipping the fish over and starting the second side

Damn that's so genius, useful and nonobvious, it should get a method patented!!   As seen on TV . . . !!
cannot wait to try that

Nicely done.  I'll have to study the DIY videos more on technique.  Thanks for sharing the "leave the first fillet attached" tip. 

I have similar habit of watching japanese chef fillet fish. I was always amazed and always think they have the most expensive knife. Been browse japanese knife for a while.  Glad I didn't click "place order" button.     But who knows how long I can hold off. 
Amazing report with beautiful pictures.  look forward to your next report.

Great report, beautiful filets. 

How about a pic of Finn?

Sashimi abalone is the best!!!
that's a nice size cab in the ling...
Thank you for the report!

Great report, beautiful filets. 

How about a pic of Finn?

Finn is my 1 year old goldendoodle pup. Raised on a diet of lingcod and rockfish he isn't so little anymore.

Now days when I fish with rod and reel and hook a fish he will swim out, grab the fish with his jaws and retrieve