Fishy Business-A Story

It's funny that, though living a long chapter of our lives in a Nova Scotian fishing village, my siblings and I never acquired much of a taste for fish; at least, I didn't.  Maybe because we were 'imports', or because Mom couldn't stand the feel and looks of gutting a fish (became Dad's job), or, perhaps she was afraid one of us would choke on a bone.  We did, however, have a few 'fish-capades' that could've molded our bias.

Halibut

My two younger brothers and I, along with some neighbor boys would go fishing with improvised lines off a local fisherman's wharf.  Those fish were small, and ugly as anything.  None of us wanted to eat them even though they were about all we ever caught.  The poor things would be thrown, unceremoniously, back into the sea.  Sounds like cruelty to animals to me, now that I look back on it.

One time Dad went to the fish plant to get some of the 'fresh catch' of the day.  Unbeknownst to Dad, some prankster had hidden fish in the car while he was making his purchase.  It being cooler weather, a few days elapsed before the dubious aroma pervaded the car's atmosphere enough to trigger an investigation.  Sure enough, Dad discovered the offending fish, gift-wrapped in newspaper, tucked neatly under the front seat.  So much for that.

Another time, fresh home from a trip to Newfoundland, Dad decided that his souvenir gift to us would be a Newfoundland favorite:  fish 'n brewis.  That was salt cod and some extremely hard chunks of bread that had to be soaked overnight in water.

Fish and Brewis

Dad set about the concoction with such enthusiasm that we dared not disappoint him with our skepticism.  We humored him, but next time we'll ask a Newfoundlander to cook!

Mackeral

Many summers, fish-deprived friends from 'Upper Canada' would visit and insist on the fresh-
mackeral-for-breakfast delicacy.  Mom, with clothes-pinned nose, could be found politely frying up a mess of mackerel; enough to satisfy any fish-lover's palate.  But phew!  So glad we did not have to partake!

Halibut and swordfish were the saving grace of the ocean's offerings.  Both were treats at our table and so on those special occasions, they'd be served with a flourish and eaten with a relish.

Swordfish

None of us ever did choke on a bone, and today I can clean and eat fish without much ado if I have to.  Thus, a toast of good camaraderie to all those in the school of fish eating; you just may acquire THE TASTE...someday.

           ~ERC originally written March 1996 but blogged in here October 2016~