Campfire Smoked Trout

Our friend Adan (otherwise known as “Tallkan,” if you want to follow his adventures on Instagram) is on his yearly traditional trip to June Lake right now. We’re jealous. We haven’t managed to plan our big family extravaganzas that far in advance in the last few years. We’re gonna fix that this year, though. I’ve already made my first New Year’s Resolution to have most of my 2016 plans on the calendar by January 1.

butterfly-trout
Adan is a pro fly fisherman (we’ll be demanding lessons soon), and he doesn’t just cook his trout- he smokes it. When I was growing up in Florida, I had a few lucky New Year’s parties where my best friend would show up with her family’s smoked mackerel. That was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten. I haven’t even had Adan’s smoked trout, but I’m sure it’s just as delicious.

Smoked Trout on Campfire

Where are you going to camp with your ENTIRE family and all your friends next year? Now’s the time to start planning (especially since the planning process requires a BBQ!) Let us know so we can be your neighbors!

Campfire Smoked Trout

Yield

2 trouts/serving

Prep Time / Cook Time

/

Activity Guide

Car Camping

Ingredients

  • Hardwood
  • Hardwood chips
  • Trout
  • Salt

Tools

  • Campfire
  • Foil
  • Knife
  • Large grill (if campfire ring doesnt't have one)

Method

  1. Start a small fire, preferably using hard wood. Let it burn down to coals and spread thinly to reduce heat and encourage smoking.
  2. Sprinkle in some chips of hard wood if desired but not a requirement.
  3. Place grill 10-14 inches above coals.
  4. Clean trout and butterfly them.
  5. Sprinkle them with your choice of seasoning. A liberal amount of coarse sea salt is my choice but some of us like adding garlic, pepper and paprika.
  6. Once coals cool down enough so that you can comfortably hold your hand over the grill indefinitely, it’s time to smoke out. Place your butterflies skin side down directly on the grill, no oil needed.
  7. Cover the entire grill with foil to keep it clean and insect free, and that’s it. Poke at the coals or add a chip or two occasionally if it stops smoking. Cooking time will vary from 2-3 hours.

6 thoughts on “Campfire Smoked Trout

  1. This isn’t smoked trout lol. It’s just cooking them over a fire, which is delicious. If you’re just going to cook them over a fire you should cook the entire fish and preferably wrapped in wet newspaper or a banana leaf to steam it. I don’t always smoke sumpin, but when I do I normally add wet wood chips lol

  2. I retract my comment. I see you added dry chips to keep the smoke going now. muh bad bruh lol. I’d definitely split em like you did for smoking them. more surface area obviously.

  3. Going on a overnight trout fishing trip on the beautiful Eleven Point River in southern Missouri in October and I am looking forward to trying this. I like the idea but will be adding some sprigs of lemon tyme and rosemary.

Leave a Reply to Emily Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *