Paying Tribute
 

Sometimes it's hard to take a moment to acknowledge the beauty of the life you're about to end when you see that magnificent creature come to color and your heart is pumping, praying it doesn't come unbuttoned just before you sink the gaff and pull her into the boat.


The other day I was about to head in and decided to collect a few fin clips from other anglers in support of Owyns' biological sample research. When I asked Matt Rabasco for his (sorry to blow up your bite), he took a sample from a spot that wouldn't disfigure the fish because he wanted to use it for Gayotaku with his students. I had heard of this ancient practice before but never thought much of it. After some research it didn't look too hard so I figured, what better way to pay respect to this fish than to capture it with more than just a cell phone photo? Thank you Matt for the inspiration.

This is my first attempt at this, and learned some things I will use for the next time I try. Tradionally it is done on rice paper, but the local arts and crafts store didn't have any so I used some fabric.

Hopefully by the end of 2013 I can trace at least one of every species our local water has to offer.

Oh yeah...and making it into something delicious and sharing it with your close friends is another great way to pay respect :notworthy:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps9f66ce71.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps1122fd6b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps3fb62261.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps6ae471be.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...pse7086894.jpg

That's some skills right there.:notworthy: Gotta give this a try.

Looks great, the sushi and the picture, i bet it took some work. Nice job.

bow i just have to get out to la jolla and fish it anyone out for showing a noob around down there?

great presentation. nice avitar. :cool:

Beautiful...!!! I'm jumping in on that.

Hook and cook! This is what i call a Complete post from start to finish.
Nice post Niels.

HOOK, LINE AND DINNER!!!

at least you
 

built him the proper shrine. :notworthy:

A class act my friend. From start to finish. :cheers1:
Jankne

Beautiful!

That's awesome!

Wow, Drake, multi talented. I got to try it one day.

Very nice presentation, looks awesome.

Gabe

I look forward to the lizardfish one, including the sashimi.

:cheers1:

That is beautiful Man! (tearing up) :cheers1:

Dayam thats dope.

Gas is pretty cheap here...sushi is good though right drake!
 

Beautiful. All of it! Cheers

Nice Gyotaku, brings back memories of doing them back in Hawaii when I wad a kid.

That art looks good. I like the yellow you added in.

Good work all around Neill! :cheers1:

Well done sir

Neil, can you please give me the recipes and ingredients for those awesome looking rolls! I am in need of some new ideas for yt! Nice job on the fish print. Fun day out there for sure!!!

Fancy, damned fancy!

Most excellent post!!

Dang I'm hungry now. Looks appetizing for sure! Kick ass drawing

Well done all the way around, Neil! :notworthy:

Thank you for all the positive feedback everyone. :notworthy:

Matt - Again, thank you for the idea.

Usually when I have a fish on ice and I'm going to do a sushi party I grab the usual items and just go to town mixing and matching and going off the ideas of stuff I've ordered from a restaurant.

Items always on hand
Siracha
Mayo
Sushi Rice
Nori

When I go to the store I usually grab:
Avacado
Cream Cheese
Cucumber
Jalapenos
Green Onions
Crab sticks
Celery
Shrimp

The "Spicy Yellow Tail" I make (The pasty looking stuff next to the sliced sashimi) is my favorite to work with.

I chop up the meat as fine as I can, it should get pretty mushy like a tar-tar. Add mayo, Siracha, Honey, Chilli powder, Sesame oil and Soy sauce. Then I just stir it all together. It's really good when you cube some sushi rice and drop it in a fryer to get warm and crispy. Ra does something similar with spicy tuna.


Go to your favorite sushi place with a tupperware bin and ask them nicely to buy some raw sushi rice off them. I usually toss em $10 for a good portion. 9 times out of 10 it will be better rice than the stuff you buy in packages from the grocery store. It's not a dirty and doesn't break as easily. You can also go to Vons, and hit the sushi counter they have.

Very cool indeed.
Might have to make one for myself now.

That is so cool. Art, sushi (art with food). What a way to pay respect.

Excellent presentation Neill !!!

Nice post Neil! All of it looks great:luxhello:

very nice....

That's just awesome. Wish i were there... Perfect

Nicely done! The Gyotaku artwork on fabric is a great idea for sushi and sashimi presentation!