Someone may offer you a freshly caught whole large fish, like a salmon or striped bass. Don't panic - take it!

Someone may offer you a freshly caught whole large fish, like a salmon or striped bass. Don't panic - take it!

To be able to serve and to eat a whole fish, especially a trout, is part of civilized dining. This applies particularly to the young, who should take to it as soon as they can handle knife and fork; this is a fine way for them to begin taking pride in themselves and their abilities.

It's so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone's fingers have been all over it.

It's so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone's fingers have been all over it.

Once you have mastered a technique, you hardly need look at a recipe again and can take off on your own.