A couple times/season we bring the propane burner, a BIG pot, and a couple gallons of oil. We then proceed to fish for smelts and keep a couple of limits (60/person). We prefer the smaller ones for the following recipe (no bigger than 8", as you can eat them like French fries, bones and all). Then, with a pair of scissors we cut off the heads, then make a cut up the belly and clean them. Then, we proceed to batter them:
Batter recipe: -two or three cups of flour
- a generous amount of your favorite fish spice (we like Tony Chachere's Creole spice)
Put the batter in a plastic bag (like a grocery bag), then throw a bunch of smelts in the bag and give it a good shake. Then drop them in the hot oil until they float and are golden brown. Hopefully you remembered to bring something to dip them out of the oil, otherwise you can use your metal ice skimmer that you use for removing slush out of the hole. Immediately after, throw in the fries until they are cooked.
Chow down!
