Should have just gutted it and fried it in butter. Meat flakes off, Pull the bones and give the skin to the dog. They must of caught it in wastewater tailings.
Yeah, the meat flaked off, but the crispy skin was the best part. The only wastewater up that high might have been from mining, but the water is ice cold and crystal clear, fresh winter melt, so I doubt it.
I was at one spot where I easily stepped across the Platte River.
(my wife told me I should have soaked it in milk before putting it in the skillet, to pull out the gaminess)