Smelt

Poor people fish. But they are good. Just wash, wet, dip in flour and fry.

As a child, my uncle would go down to the river and scoop these out with a net. Then bring 'em over for my mom to cook. I always liked them because it was a welcome relief from eating salmon, which as a child seemed like I ate every night (brother's were commercial fisherman).

Now, of course, I appreciate it when I get a good piece of salmon, especially west coast, wild like the copper river reds...but I'm digressing and should save that story for when I cook up some Reds next spring/summer when they come back into season.