Delta Smelt are easy and fun to catch, just the same, they are also easy to cook and eat! Using simple ingredients, you can prep some dishes sure to hold up your strength for the rest of the day.
Step 1: Clean
Scale and gut them for the prep. Heads may be left on.
How does one scale a fish? Hold it down on it's side, rub the back edge of your knife against the grain of the fish. This may take time and can throw about some scales, but it's part of the fun and process!
Gut it by cutting (w knife or scissor) from the bottom of the hill to the small opening just between the small fins located about 2/3s of the way toward the tail, and pulling the head up and downwards. The head and innards come out in a clean sweep, but this one-stepper can take some practice.
Step 2: Pan Fry
With some olive oil to coat the bottom of the shallow pan, drop in some of the Delta Smelt and let each side cook for about 3-5 minutes depending on your heat level and preference.
You can season the fish (before they hit the pan) salt, pepper, garlic powder, lime salt -really, anything you like!
