Retriever trial, crawdad banquet should be tons of fun
Phil Taunton
Friday, March 13, 2009
Mark Schreiber of Emporia is hosting a retriever trial north of Manhattan. I participate in NSTRA pointing breed "shoot to retrieve" trials and can’t think of a better way to spend an enjoyable weekend with friends and fellow competitors swapping stories and watching dogs perform. With a crawdad banquet to boot, I think I done died and went to heaven!
Several years ago I had the opportunity to help Jay Stine of Moon Creek Kennels train retrievers for both trial tests and the hunting fields. Labrador retrievers are fantastic animals and are more than just waterfowl dogs. Matter of fact, some labs are timid around water, and care needs to be taken when they are introduced to swimming. Labs can be excellent upland game bird hunters and for the most part, are gentle, biddable, loving companions. Often after a day of training, I felt I should be paying Jay for showing me his series and training techniques. Those were really enjoyable times. If he reads this, and with the economic situation as it is, I hope he doesn’t get any ideas about sending me a bill for back pay!
The boiled crawdad dinner Mark and Jane Laman will be providing at the retriever fun trial reminded me of a trialing experience where I once treated the gallery to smoked carp and gar. My secret to smoking fish is to place marinade and fish in a nonmetal container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Pat the pieces dry, place on racks and smoke slowly at a temperature between 100 and 150 degrees. You might try using a portable gas smoker and hardwood chips. Electric smokers also work. Just keep the temperature constant. And I wouldn’t rule out using a dehydrator.
My favorite marinade is a simple mixture of brown sugar, hickory smoked salt, table salt and Lawry’s lemon and garlic pepper. Add just enough water to cover the fish. Brown sugar makes for sweet tasting smoked meat. I don’t worry much about the strength of the brine; more salt can always be added later. You may also want to experiment with soy sauce, Tabasco, liquid garlic or onion, ground ginger and dill. Smoked fish mixed with mayo, pickle and onion makes for an excellent sandwich spread or dip.
My smoked fish met up with “mud bugs” (crayfish or crawdads) the boys from Oklahoma brought for everyone to enjoy at a trial in Dodge City. Quail, pan-fried to a golden brown, complemented the table along with dipping gravy, and everyone was all smiles. Their enthusiasm was dampened a bit and a few of them lost their appetite when I told them they were eating carp. You’d think being from Oklahoma, they would be tougher than that!
Retriever marathon
details
Mark, with the help of noted retriever trainer Laman, will be hosting a Singles Marathon Fun Trial open to all breeds of retrieving dogs on March 28 and 29. The rules are simple. The trial is open to all retrievers and the dog must be handled by its owner. Judgment will be on 10 series and consist of single retrieve competition only. Three experienced judges will critique the dogs and render their decision. All entries will be guaranteed the opportunity to participate in five series. Pigeons will be used in all land series. Entry fee is $15 per dog and includes a boiled crawdad dinner Saturday evening. The top four placements will be awarded prizes. Reservations are not required, but if you have ever been part of organizing such an event, you will understand pre-registration is encouraged and will help with planning for birds and preparing dinner. To enter, send cash or check made out to Jane Laman with the number of dogs being entered and their names. Also, please include the number of people in your party who will be attending Saturday night’s get-together. Entries can be sent to Mark Schreiber, 1722 Yucca Lane, Emporia KS 66801. Further questions can be directed to Mark at (620) 342-6954 or mschreiber@sbcglobal.net, or call Jane Laman at (785) 539-3930.
Participants will meet at Jane’s home at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 28th. Follow highway 24/177 north of Manhattan to Road 402. Turn right and follow the paved road to Harbour Hills Drive.
Fishing report
Any angler worth his salt should be aware that walleye are pre-spawn and staging off the face of dams and other rocky points, getting ready for their annual mating ritual. Just a couple of weeks ago, a friend from Salina said fishermen at Wilson and Kanopolis were really putting them in the boat. It had snowed the day before and it was 8 degrees that morning. The fish were being caught in two to five feet of water, believe it on not. Just goes to show the best time to go fishing is whenever you can!
Dog of the Year
contest update
Sponsors have added a couple of hundred pounds of dog food to the prize package I will award the winner of the first annual Outdoor Adventures Dog of the Year contest. Entries will be accepted until April 1, and the winner will be announced in this column on April 3, so get your entries, plus a picture of your favorite canine companion, to me at ptaunton@cableone.net. Your dog might just be the big winner of this coveted and prestigious award!