Hooked on Fishing

By Dick Peach

Fresh-Caught and Cooked: Fry Those Fish

One of the great things about fishing is eating what you catch. Nothing tastes better than fresh-caught fish prepared the way you like them. Those who have vacationed up north in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Upper Penninsula of Michigan or into Canada and hired a guide for a day of fishing, probably enjoyed what I consider to be one of the outstanding joys of fishing...a shore lunch. Your fresh-caught fish had been cleaned and prepared by your guide, cooked up with potatoes, corn or maybe some cole slaw and served up with one of the best views in the world, the unspoiled water the group was just fishing on. Well now that I've made myself very hungry, let me share a way to replicate the taste.

Start with some fresh fish fillets - walleye, bluegill, northern, catfish or whatever is freshly caught (or bought), four  4- to 8- ounce fillets. The best kitchen tool for frying fish is still a cast iron skillet, and cooking fish should be done with fresh oil.  I prefer peanut oil, but any of the oils will do.   The guides will probably be using Crisco, because it's easier to transport as a solid. There are probably as many different recipes for coating the fillets as there are fishermen, but here is a very simple and tasty batter that will please even the kids.

Heat the oil to about 375 degrees; beat 1 egg with ½ cup of milk. In a large flat bowl or pie pan put 1 cup of flour; in a second pan add 2 cups of crushed corn flakes. Dip the fillets in the flour, shaking off the excess. Then dip each into the egg wash, allowing the excess to drain, then into the crushed corn flakes, pressing gently so the crumbs stick. Fry until golden brown, 2-3 minutes on a side, and drain on paper towels. Serve with lemon wedges, cole slaw and a good tartar sauce. Then the only thing missing will be the view.  Enjoy, and keep a tight line.

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Preseason Football Starts Up For Young Team

By Nick Batlle

After falling one game short of making the playoffs last year, Aug. 8 marks the beginning of a new season, and with it comes the grueling three-a-day preseason workouts.

In 2006, head coach Tony Johnson had the luxury of working with players who were being aggressively recruited by Division I schools.  This time around, he's been dealt a different hand.

"We kind of need to build on last year," said Johnson.  "Our inexperience and youth will be our downside."

Last year Johnson could rely on Michael Bolden, now at Northwestern, to give him 100-plus yards on the ground week in and week out.  He could also depend on Nickcaro Golding and Kendal Farlow to intimidate opposing quarterbacks from the defensive line.

Michael Schanette saw very limited playing time last year as a second-string tailback behind Bolden, but this year he will be asked to carry the load in the backfield.  At this point the big mystery is who will replace Ryan Roveda as the starting quarterback.

Throughout the summer, senior Jacob Rhode and junior David Hirsch have been given opportunities to take the job, but neither has risen to challenge. 

Going into today, the job is still up for grabs.

When asked about the last time he had a two-year starter at QB, Johnson had trouble remembering. If history is any indication, Rhode may have the advantage.  However, Johnson likes toying with the idea of giving Hirsch extended playing time this year so that he will have experience as a senior.

On the other side of the ball, the team will look to senior linebacker Daniel Kruger to set the tone.  At tight end, senior Barry Frett is expected to be a popular target for both quarterbacks.

Another concern for Johnson is how his team will play with the death of Darryl Pickett still fresh in the minds of every player, "With such a tragic situation, we need to try to make a positive step forward now," said Johnson.  "Hopefully it will be able to motivate our guys."

Evanston opens their season at home on Aug. 25 at the recently renamed Lazier Field at Memorial Stadium against West Chicago.

Golf and Boys Soccer Also Underway

By Nick Batlle

After John Wilson stepped down as the head golf coach at ETHS at the end of last season, he handed the reigns over to his assistant, Jed Curtis.

Boys golf go into this year with high expectations after having so much success the past two years.

In 2005, Jack Wadden and Wonjae Sung, juniors at the time, made it all the way to the state tournament.  Wadden shot a 73 and 76 over the two days and placed 20th.  Last year, Wadden suffered a wrist injury, but Sung looked destined to make a trip downstate once again, until a disastrous 16th hole at the sectional round was responsible for him missing the cut by one stroke.

They'll be without Wadden and Sung this year, but have a strong nucleus behind seniors Jake Bielawski, Philip Kohnken, and Michael Peters, all of whom were named all-conference. Fellow senior Sean Bostrom and junior Teddy Golden are also expected to be key competitors.

On the girls' side, senior Liz Fitzsimonds placed third overall at the Northern Illinois Women's Junior Amateur tournament at Cog Hill Golf Course back on July 19 and 20.  The first day she shot an 87 under wet and soggy conditions, and the second day she fired an 80.  Going into the high school season, she will try to improve on her all-conference campaign from 2006.

The first tournament for both the boys and girls is on the Aug. 17.  The boys will compete at the Larkin Invite, while the girls are playing at Loyola.

Looking to improve on a 10-12-1 season from last year, boys soccer is the other fall sport beginning Aug. 8.  Head coach Franz Calixte will have a young team, but his goal should be well protected behind senior keeper Jonathon Strunk.  Senior forwards David Sippel and Peter Zerbe are likely to be top goal scorers, and senior Brian Armstrong will anchor the defense.

The team will open the season on the road against Libertyville on Aug. 24 and Lincoln-Way East on Aug. 25 before they head to Barrington for a three-day tournament.

High School Hoops Tournament

A new 3-on-3 basketball tournament for high school students only will be held Aug. 28-30. The double-elimination, half-court tournament will have separate divisions for competitive and recreational players, as well as boys and girls divisions – no coed teams allowed.

Teams will be further divided by grade: ninth- and 10-grade;11th- and 12th-grade; and  2007 graduates. Each team must have at least two Evanston residents. The top two teams in each of the tournament's eight divisions will be receive prizes.

The registration fee is $20 per team of three or four players. That fee and a completed registration form must be submitted no later than Aug. 13 to the Chandler-Newberger Center, 1028 Central St.

Games will be played at the Chandler-Newberger Center as well as at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St. For more information, call 847-866-8490 or 847-448-8256.

Students from the Actor's Gymnasium in Evanston performed at this year's Lakeshore Arts Fest this past weekend. Photos Courtesy of Susan Ryan