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Camping World
   I can't wait for the weekend to arrive during the summer so my hubby, Gary, and me can go to Utah lake and catch great big channel catfish.

   The cat's really put up a good fight. In Utah lake, they really grow big. The largest we have caught so far has been 15 lbs, but there are much bigger ones out there just waiting for us.
   The largest catfish caught was over 32 lbs! I have already threatened Gary that he had better not be the one to get old granddad cat--that one is all mine!

   We have a boat that we have named "CATFISH HEAVEN" that we take out into the shallows and fish.

   Yes, I said shallows, would you believe the catfish are caught in as little as one foot of water! Many times Gary has had to get into the water and push the boat into deeper water so we can start the engine. We get some very strange looks from other boaters wondering how we got were we were, well that is easy, he pushes the boat into the shallow water!

   Utah Lake is big in area, 26 miles long, 12 miles wide, and 112 miles around by road. But it is quite shallow. The deepest spots are only around twelve feet deep when the lake is full.

   The water warms very fast in the spring and this is what the catfish like. The biggest channel catfish caught in Utah was a catfish caught in Utah lake in 1978 by LeRoy Mortenson. The catfish weighed 32 lb 8 oz, was 39 3/4 inches long, and had a 22 inch girth. The lake also supports walleye, white and largemouth bass, and black bullheads.

   Once a year, on the 4th of July weekend, our friends Brian and Cathy join us at the lake and we have a big catfish fry.

   Everyone camping in the park is invited to the party as well. People bring over what they can to share and it is a lot of fun. If you are in Utah during July, come on by and try some catfish. Everyone is welcome!

    There is nothing like deep fried catfish, hush puppies, cole slaw, dill pickles and a slice of raw onions. Here are some of my hubbie's special recipes:
Beat two eggs well in a separate bowl.
Dip the strips of fish into the eggs and then cover with the corn meal mixture.
Shake off excess corn meal.
Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown.
The strips will float to the surface when they are done.
DEEP FRIED CATFISH
Skin and fillet your fish
Cut crossways across fillet in to 1 1/2" strips
(Catfish have no bones in the meat after they are filleted)
   In a large bowl mix well:
HUSH PUPPIES
Combine dry ingredients and stir well.
Slowly add egg and liquid and blend until you have a smooth batter, it will be thick.
Drop by heaping teaspoon into hot oil 375 degrees until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels, serve with honey.
COLE SLAW
  • 1 medium head of cabbage, shredded
  • 1 medium onion diced
Make a dressing from the following ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Miracle Whip salad dressing
Whip until smooth, you may need to add more milk to get the consistency you want.
Mix all together and refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours.
Now just add your sliced dill pickles and purple onions and dig in! Yuummmm ...