WCO Report for Erie County 04/28/2010: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: April 28, 2010

Upcoming Erie Area Kids Derbies:
The Erie Area Sportsmen's clubs hold some of the best kids fishing derbies in the Commonwealth and always do a bang up job supporting youth fishing. These derbies are terrific events for the kids (and great entertainment for the parents) and are always well attended. This is a great introduction to fishing for the youngsters. Get there early for that "hot spot".
The Elk Valley Sportsmen's Club Annual Kids Fishing Derby will be held this Saturday, May 1st, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Girard Borough Pond. This event is open to kids 12 years of age and younger. To get the Girard Boro Park turn north on Route 18 in Girard. Turn left on Lake street go several blocks and turn left at the Park Entrance (Lake Street). The pond is at the bottom of the hill.

The Northwestern Sportsmen's Club Kids Fishing Derby will be held this Saturday, May 1st, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the NW Sportsmens Club Pond, located at 8114 Route 6N West Springfield PA 16443. This fishing event is open to kids 15 years of age and younger.

Walnut Creek Access Update: The launch ramps are in at Walnut Creek, with channel dredging complete, although as usual it is suggested to watch your depth finder when entering or exiting the channel. The Marina office is open now on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 7:00 AM till 5:30 PM. Daily regular hours will resume this Saturday May 1st. Anglers can purchase licenses, PFBC literature, and get weather information at the access office.

Boating Season:
Boaters are already taking to the Bay and the Lake. Spring boating season in our area begins often times when water temperatures are still in the 40's. At these temperatures, a fall overboard can be bone chilling and the risk of rapid hypothermia great. Safety equipment, especially PFDs (properly sized and worn) along with a throwable device (ring or cushion) within arms reach can literally mean the difference between life and death this time of year. Check your safety equipment list to be sure all is in order for your boat and that each piece of gear is in good serviceable condition.

Stocked Trout are Great for Hot Smoking:
Because of their relatively small size, even texture and great flavor, Trout are a perfect fish to hot smoke. Hot smoking, as opposed to cold smoking which is used to preserve fish, cooks the trout while it adds that great smoke flavor. Water smokers either electric or charcoal fired work great. Smoked trout are a great meal and can be used to flavor many dishes from fish soup to smoked trout dip. Brining will help to flavor and moisten the fish. Combine about 1 tablespoon of kosher salt to 1 cup of water. You will, of course need enough brine to completely cover the fish. Add small amounts of seasonings to the brine to your liking. Fresh dill weed is my favorite.

Smaller fish like trout, don't need to spend a lot of time in a brine. About 1 hour will do for smaller fish. You want these fish to be cleaned and ready for the smoker before you brine then and have them laid open so the brine can get inside. Brining can be completely optional for smoked trout. While the trout brine you can prepare the smoker. Small trout (about 9 inches) can be completely smoked in as little as an hour or so, but more time will add extra flavor. Watch the fish to make sure they dont dry out, but leave them in the smoker for up to 4 hours. Use a mild wood like a fruit wood or oak to smoke with. Traditionally alder is used with fish and if you can get some it makes a great smoke flavor. Try to place the trout in such a way as to let the smoke get to the insides of the fish.

Once the trout is smoked it will be easy to remove the bones because the slow cooking process helps to separate the meat from the bones. Once the trout is completely smoked y you can eat them just the way they are, or you can use the smoked trout almost like smoked salmon as an appetizer or an ingredient in other dishes. Try adding about 1 cup of smoked trout meat to 2 cups of cream cheese. Season with garlic and Tabasco and serve it as a dip. (Oh yeah babe).

Smoked trout can be frozen for months or refrigerated for days, but remember that hot smoked fish isnt preserved and if you do not intend to eat it right away then you need to refrigerate it or feeze it. It is generally a good idea to remove the skin and bones before freezing.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Clear. Areas of frost after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. West winds 15 to 20 mph...becoming southwest around 5 mph after midnight.

Thursday...Areas of frost in the morning...then sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night...Partly cloudy in the evening...then becoming mostly cloudy. Not as cool with lows in the lower 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

Friday...Partly cloudy. Much warmer with highs in the lower 70s.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Saturday...Cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Sunday...Cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Monday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cooler with lows in the upper 40s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 60s.