Fly fishing is a beloved pastime for many people, and there are few things more satisfying than casting your line into the water and feeling a tug on the other end. While many fly fishermen practice catch and release, there are times when it's perfectly okay to take home a few fish for a delicious meal. This is especially true when it comes to Black Rockfish, which are abundant off the jetties in Washington State.
Black Rockfish, also known as sea bass are a popular game fish in the Pacific Northwest and one that we encounter a TON. They're found in rocky areas, and are often caught from jetties or inshore reefs. These fish are not only fun to catch, but they also make for a tasty meal.
If you're interested in fly fishing for black rockfish off the jetty in Washington, there are a few things you should keep in mind. We have full YouTube Tutorials linked below for you to truly understand how to be prepare for fishing off the rocks. Be sure that you watch the video and watch the weather to ensure your trip is successful.
We take pride in having a strong connection to the food we consume here at Spawn. This includes fish such as Tuna and Halibut caught off the coast, as well as Salmon and Rockfish caught off the jetty. It's important to note that not every fishing trip will result in catching a limit of fish, and sometimes we may come back with only one or two. However, it's perfectly acceptable to keep these fish for a delicious meal. We believe in practicing sustainable harvest, and there's nothing wrong with doing so in our sport. In fact, eating the fish we catch can increase our love and appreciation for these species and the environments they live in.
When you decide to harvest the fish, there are a few steps we like to take. Firstly, we ensure that the fish is dead by using a small club to hit it on the back of its head. Next, we immediately bleed the fish by tearing out its gills. Although this may not be a common practice among fly fishermen, it's crucial to preserving the quality of the meat and show respect to the fish. After the fish is dead and bled, we give it a quick rinse and place it in an ice cooler. It's important to keep the fish on ice not only to preserve the meat but also to protect it from raccoons that may be lurking around the rocks. Generally speaking we clean the fish at home where we will process the fish depending on how we will prepare it.
Black rockfish are versatile fish that can be prepared in a variety of ways. You can fillet them and pan-fry them, bake them in the oven, or even grill them on the barbecue. One classic way to prepare black rockfish is to bread and deep-fry the fillets, serving them up with tartar sauce and lemon wedges. Another option is to make fish tacos which are an amazing meal that will truly bring out the flavor and appreciation of this species.
At the end of the day, fly fishing for black rockfish off the jetty in Washington is a rewarding and enjoyable experience, whether or not you come home with a catch. And if you do catch a few fish, don't hesitate to keep them and turn them into a delicious meal. With the right preparation, black rockfish can be a real treat for the taste buds.
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