07-03-2003, 11:53 PM
[cool]Hey, Leaky, my man. Those cats from the Snake think they are bass or trout, the way they eat...and hit lures. Coming from that cold, running water, they are about as good as any cats in the country. And, as you suspect, the running water has something to do with it. They use more energy holding and swimming in the current, so they do not accumulate as much oil and fatty tissue in the abdominal cavity. They are lean and mean. I think you fish around the Swan Falls area, but further down the river, where it slows and widens, you get more deep holes and big cats...some with the oilier flesh.
As far as using a big butcher knife, here is a pic I posted awhile back, of my custom made fillet board and some of the knives I use. You will note both on the far right and the bottom left that I have and use big butcher knives. They are especially good for hacking through the tough ribs on Mr. Whiskers. On big old flatheads, I actually use the cleaver to chop through the first two or three heavy ribs, before bringing in the butcher knife.
![[Image: SCOU1712CustomImage2235119.jpg]](http://web.ecomplanet.com/SCOU1712/ServerContent/MyCustomImages/SCOU1712CustomImage2235119.jpg)
As always, a sharp knife makes the job easier and less dangerous to the person using it. There is an old saying that a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one...and it's true. With a sharp knife you just kind of guide the blade through the job. With a dull knife, you have to apply lots of pressure and are more likely to slip and cut something besides the fish.
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As far as using a big butcher knife, here is a pic I posted awhile back, of my custom made fillet board and some of the knives I use. You will note both on the far right and the bottom left that I have and use big butcher knives. They are especially good for hacking through the tough ribs on Mr. Whiskers. On big old flatheads, I actually use the cleaver to chop through the first two or three heavy ribs, before bringing in the butcher knife.
As always, a sharp knife makes the job easier and less dangerous to the person using it. There is an old saying that a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one...and it's true. With a sharp knife you just kind of guide the blade through the job. With a dull knife, you have to apply lots of pressure and are more likely to slip and cut something besides the fish.
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