Try grilled kokanee for the weekend barbecue

So, since it's Fourth of July weekend, I guess we better talk about grilling something, eh? While burgers, steaks and dogs are always fan favorites at backyard barbecues, sometimes it's kind of fun to mix it up once in a while and do something different. This year, I'm going with fresh grilled kokanee salmon - which, by the way, have been biting nicely at Bullards Bar, Tahoe, Donner and New Melones. I know what you fans of terrestrial fare out there are thinking - fish instead of real "meat" on the Fourth of July? Yep! But don't worry, we're going add a little something to the recipe that even the most dedicated carnivore can't turn down - bacon. As usual, I turned to the world's leading authority on cooking fish and game, Scott "The Sporting Chef" Leysath of Hunt-Fish-Cook TV, for some help on the best way to grill up kokanee. "First off, you've gotta eat them fresh," he said. "Kokanee don't freeze well - they get really mushy, so eat them the day you catch 'em, if possible." Leysath said to start with gutted kokanee and season them inside and out with salt and pepper. Then, take a fresh lime and squeeze the juice into the body cavity of each fish. Then, pack the cavities with equal portions of basil, garlic, onion and tomato. Next up, the good stuff: bacon!"Some people cook with bacon to make otherwise bad-tasting fish or game taste edible," he said. "But the bottom line is most things taste better when wrapped in bacon and kokanee are no exception."Leysath says that kokanee will cook quickly, so it's a good idea to cook the bacon halfway before you wrap your fish in it. That way, you'll have crispy bacon instead of soft, limp stuff. "Wrap each fish with 2 strips of bacon and then secure it with skewers," he says. "Next, place the fish on a medium-low heat barbecue grate for 5 to 7 minutes. Then, flip everything over and cook the other side about 7 minutes more - or until bacon is browned and fish is just-cooked throughout. When done, simply remove the skewers and serve the fish whole."Hunt-Fish-CookDon't forget to check out Leysath and his trusty sidekick, Donny Mac on their show, "Hunt-Fish-Cook," as they tromp all over the country to the sweetest fishing and hunting spots, where they cook what the catch. Hunt-Fish-Cook is on Comcast SportsNet (check your local listings). You can also go to Leysath's website: www.sportingchef.com for lots of free recopies. qqqJ.D. Richey is a 1986 Placer High graduate, and his outdoors pieces have been published nationally. He can be found on the Web at www.thesportfisher.com.