Macclesfield Trout Farm

[khiemtran]

We're off to Macclesfield to visit the Australian Rainbow Trout Farm. Would you like to come?




Once you've paid for your wristband, you simply grab a rod...



And some dough for bait... You'll want to put marble-sized balls onto your hook.



Oh, and you'll need a bucket!



We start off at the "lightly stocked" dam near the edge of the park. The experience here is the closest to fishing in the wild.



The dam is picturesque, but soon the banks become crowded. It actually looks like quite a good place to learn how to fish.



After the kids have started to become restless, it's time to move on to the smaller pools. Catching something here is pretty much guaranteed.



Each pool has a sign saying what's inside and how much it will cost. Don't forget, whatever you catch you need to keep!



It doesn't take long...



Even Liem, who has caught lots of fish at home before, is jumping with the excitement.







Just stay away from the expensive ponds, in case you land a hefty bill!



Of course, it probably would be quicker just to get the attendant to scoop one out for you...



After you're done, take your fish to be weighed, cleaned, and, in necessary, filleted.



There are lots of free barbecues in the park, so you can cook it then and there. Or you can buy ice so you can take it home, like we did.

The finished product...

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Oh I'm so glad this was a catch-and-eat place (as opposed to catch-and-release)! Fun and delicious!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Yes, we didn't realise it at the time, but it looks like the thing to do is bring a picnic, grab a table and a bbq and add a freshly caught fish or too. They will even slice it into sashimi for you if you want.

[rymrytr.livejournal.com]

It has been way too many years since I had a fresh Rainbow in my cast iron skillet. Squatted down next to the camp fire; smelling the scent of Pine Trees; listening to the birds; watching the Bannock Bread* bake on a stick!

When one is too old to go to the woods, it is a blessing to have memories!


* Take a round (dry, not fresh cut stick - or bring something from home). It must be pealed, scraped and dried)... stick 3 or 4 fingers thick. Bring your bread mixture in a resealable plastic bag. When ready, add liquid and make a "thick" dough. roll it into a long, somewhat flat snake and wind it around the stick like a candy cane. Close together, but not touching. Pinch the ends to the bread and let the heat of the fire, (not the flames!) bake it. It will raise a bit and if you are patient enough, turn a golden brown! :o)


This is just one example: A DuckDuckGo or Google Search for Bannock bread on a stick will give you some inspiration. This can even be done in the back yard or over an open BBQ.

Don't forget the butter, cinnamon &sugar, or sticky syrup to dip it in, etc. But try a plain bite first.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Cool! That sounds like what we call damper. Although when we made it, we used foil to wrap it in. We also tried making bread wrapped in ashes (which you don't eat), but it never really worked out well.

[rymrytr.livejournal.com]

American Indians didn't have "flour" as we know it, until the European came along, but they did have certain grains and seeds that could be pounded and ground up. I don't know if it is true, but I was told, as a small lad, that the Reservation Indian cooked bread this, and many other ways...

Ya know what? That might make an interesting book. Basic, outdoor bread cooking from around the world. Using the most "Primitive" methods, both historical and current.

Just give me an acknowledgement on the flyleaf! :o)