By Joe Cermele

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of floating the upper Delaware River with F&S Senior Editor Colin Kearns and guide Gary Henderson from the West Branch Angler. The fishing was pretty good, with as much dry fly action as we could hope for on a cloudy, windy, chilly day. But what I could not have hoped to be better was Henderson's lunch of choice for a day on the river. Before putting in the float boat, he swung by the local grocery store and picked up a nasty, delicious, dirty, mouth-watering bag of extra-greasy fried chicken. Though it wasn't always so, I have officially decided that this is the best on-the-water meal going. Here's why:

Though I've been partial to Italian subs for many years, I have often fallen victim to the sub that slips in the cooler's melt-water and ends up a soggy pile of mayonnaisy mush. Sandwiches of any kind also require some sort of wrapper or bag that makes more trash on board, gives you something extra to clean up, or at worst, ends up in the water. Many pieces of chicken come in a single bag that is often lined with foil to keep them warm...and, though unintended, keep moisture out. The stuff is scrumptious hot or cold, and after you've gnawed a thigh to the bone, you can throw it in the drink worry free.

I cannot take credit for the fried chicken idea, as Henderson is one of many guides and anglers who take part in this joyous fishing food, but I have decided it is now my favorite, too. As you can see in the photo above, Henderson sneak-attacks the last piece of chicken while Colin is preoccupied with keeping an eagle eye out for risers. Very smooth. So it's official. As of today, I declare this dish the official pack lunch of anglers worldwide. Anyone want to argue? -- JC

Comments (12)

from silsbyj wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

I wont argue and I think I know whats in store for lunch today.

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Just talking about it makes me want to go out and get some. Must admit, it is one hell of a fishing food. No matter hot or cold... it tastes good. I think in the ranking behind that, I would have to say a burrito from Moe's or maybe even some empanadas.

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from vtbluegrass wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

You forget another virtue of fried chicken. In a pinch and sometimes preferred it can be bait for several species.

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from jcarlin wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

I've done the sandwich with extra cooler water and Delaware River water. Someone took the sandwhiches out of the cooler and left them in a puddle in the bottom of the boat. I've had few worse lunches. Tried to choke down a few bites. Didn't heave it back up, wasn't real happy that I didn't.

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from timromano wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Cermele,

You nuts?

You need one thing and one thing only in the cooler.

Beer.

You've got your quick carbs, your hydration, and it doesn't matter if it falls in the water... Hell, it's better in the water towed in a mesh sack - right next to the rower.

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from seadog wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

I must be old school--I like vienna sausages & beer.

Hey Tim, down here in Florida the beer gets warm if you put it in the water. If you come down, bring the cooler.

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from -Bob wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Come to think of it, I was wading the Delaware around Treasure Island last summer and speared my foot on a chicken bone. Joe, you got some splainin' to do...

(just kidding. I'm a big fan of The Colonel.) -Bob

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Any food is good food on the water but my vote will have to go to a thick piece of homemade deer jerky and a simple bottle of water with a flask of peach schnapps as dessert. But if your buying, chicken will do just fine.

JC, Can't wait for your next video.

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from 2Poppa wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

...but do they deliver?

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from VT Outdoorsman wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Im with you joe on the soggy sandwiches....ill have to bring some fried chicken now.

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from finch147 wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

on opening day i called my girlfriend to bring her brother and I 8 wendy's sandwiches. nothing is better than fishing all day with dilivery for lunch

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from Gsquare wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Way back when the only way I could get my wife to go fishing was to bring along KFC. That was before the "fat is bad" craze and we sure enjoyed the day.

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from silsbyj wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

I wont argue and I think I know whats in store for lunch today.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Just talking about it makes me want to go out and get some. Must admit, it is one hell of a fishing food. No matter hot or cold... it tastes good. I think in the ranking behind that, I would have to say a burrito from Moe's or maybe even some empanadas.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from vtbluegrass wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

You forget another virtue of fried chicken. In a pinch and sometimes preferred it can be bait for several species.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jcarlin wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

I've done the sandwich with extra cooler water and Delaware River water. Someone took the sandwhiches out of the cooler and left them in a puddle in the bottom of the boat. I've had few worse lunches. Tried to choke down a few bites. Didn't heave it back up, wasn't real happy that I didn't.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from timromano wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Cermele,

You nuts?

You need one thing and one thing only in the cooler.

Beer.

You've got your quick carbs, your hydration, and it doesn't matter if it falls in the water... Hell, it's better in the water towed in a mesh sack - right next to the rower.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from seadog wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

I must be old school--I like vienna sausages & beer.

Hey Tim, down here in Florida the beer gets warm if you put it in the water. If you come down, bring the cooler.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from -Bob wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Come to think of it, I was wading the Delaware around Treasure Island last summer and speared my foot on a chicken bone. Joe, you got some splainin' to do...

(just kidding. I'm a big fan of The Colonel.) -Bob

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Any food is good food on the water but my vote will have to go to a thick piece of homemade deer jerky and a simple bottle of water with a flask of peach schnapps as dessert. But if your buying, chicken will do just fine.

JC, Can't wait for your next video.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from 2Poppa wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

...but do they deliver?

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from VT Outdoorsman wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Im with you joe on the soggy sandwiches....ill have to bring some fried chicken now.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from finch147 wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

on opening day i called my girlfriend to bring her brother and I 8 wendy's sandwiches. nothing is better than fishing all day with dilivery for lunch

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Gsquare wrote 2 years 41 weeks ago

Way back when the only way I could get my wife to go fishing was to bring along KFC. That was before the "fat is bad" craze and we sure enjoyed the day.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.