Fishy surprise...

I am participating in an A to Z blog challenge, and have a theme. But we have Sunday's "off," so I am going to tell you about something on a different topic that I must share.

A week or so ago a grooming customer sat in my studio and chatted with me while I gave his dog a spring time makeover. He is in his 80's, and more active than most 30 year old's I know.  "It's trout fishing season," he told me.  "I catch hundreds every year."  I thought about those words and said, "I don't believe I've ever had fresh trout."  He looked at me with deep sorrow in his eyes.

This afternoon at 5 there was a loud knock on the door.  There was my customer, carrying an antique fishing creel.  "It belonged to my father," he said. There were 6 fresh trout inside, iridescent, spotted and just caught.

"I brought you some trout," he said, eyes twinkling.  He kicked his tall boots off, and headed for my kitchen. "You got a board and a knife?" he asked.  I did.

With practiced hands he sliced off the heads, then slit along the ventral line, and flicked the insides out with a single, deft move.

"Dip these in some flour and corn meal," he told me.  "My wife fries them up in butter.  She uses a cast iron skillet."  I nodded. I could do that.

My  husband joined in. He is an old hand at cooking fish,but this was our first time with fresh trout.
Trout caught moments before, within a mile of our house.

It was a feast!  An incredible, delicate, delicious feast. Flavored by the kindness of the gift.

 I may need to take up trout fishing.