Fishing and caravanning go hand in hand, so we thought we’d lend you another hand with this handy guide on quick fish filleting. Follow these 5 easy steps and soon you’ll be filleting like a pro.

Filleting Your Fish

Figure 1

Figure 1 shows the basics of filleting a small fish (up to about 5 pounds).

1. Cut off the head just behind the gills.
2. Hold the fish by the tail. With the knife blade pointing away from you and across the body of the fish, begin to cut toward the head (or at least where the head used to be). Use the backbone to guide your knife.
3. To take the skin off, begin by holding the fillet by the tail, skin side down.
4. Hold the knife crosswise across the fillet and insert the knife between the skin and the flesh. Don’t worry if you don’t get this perfect at first.
5. While holding the skin, cut in the direction of where the head used to be.

Figure 2

When you have a larger fish, the tail-to-head method of filleting can be a little awkward. In this case opening the fish like a book is an effective method, as shown in Figure 2. Follow these steps to fillet a larger fish:

1. Make a deep cut just behind the gills (about halfway through the thickness of the fish).
2. Cut a slit a few inches in length along the top of the fish (the dorsal side).
3. Using the tip of the knife, separate the flesh from the bones, as illustrated. The fish should open up just like a book.
4. When completely open, finish cutting away the fillet by moving the knife along the “spine of the book.”

Enjoy!

PS - Try Port Neill Caravan Park, a proud RV Life Club Partner, for an ideal fishing holiday.

Australian Caravan Co has now been proudly serving South Australian RV enthusiasts for 35 years, and to celebrate we’re giving you a birthday present! There are huge savings to be had with sale prices on ALL new Jaycos in stock. Plus, buy a new stock van (with over 75 to choose from) and receive a free ‘Ultimate Starter Pack’ worth $480. Come see us before the end of the month!

Sale Now On!

When? Sale ends Friday May 31
Where? ACC Superyard 804-820 South Road, Edwardstown SA 5039

• All new Jaycos in stock on sale
• Over 75 new vans in stock to choose from
• Purchase a new stock van and receive the ‘Ultimate Starter pack’ worth $480
• The Pack includes tools and parts useful for any van purchase: an Ampfibian power adaptor (15A to 10A) to plug your van into domestic powerpoints, 2x clip on tow mirrors, a 10m sullage hose, a 10m drinking hose, a 15m power cord, hose bag and all the drinking hose connections you’ll need to get underway on your first trip.

Click here to view our new Jayco vans.

Read the April newsletter

The 2013 Jayco Sterling caravan offers you more technology, design and efficiency than ever before. Select your kitchen finish so your caravan will look and function just the way you want. Tell us if you’re a fan of the Avikira kitchen, which features two-tone overhead doors, or you prefer the new Alpine White kitchen, which gives you a contemporary finish?

Option 1: Avikira

Option 2: Alpine White

The 2013 Stirling Caravan

The 2013 Sterling introduces a completely new look interior with redesigned cabinetry, a selection of bench top finishes, new upholstery choices including leather as standard, dometic windows, a range of new layouts and more added features than ever before whilst still featuring the hail/dent resistant Tough Frame, Hot Dipped Galvanised Chassis and a 3 year Roadside Assist support to give you the added peace of mind. To view the full product information about the new Sterling, click here.

Which kitchen do you prefer and why? Let us know in the comments section below.

Glamping (glamorous camping) is a growing global trend that combines camping with the luxury and amenities of a home or hotel – electricity, running water, even a bed with 300 thread-count sheets. During a typical glamping trip, for example, your tent might have bright designer colors and materials, and be rigged for electrical power and climate control or your motorhome might be towing a sports car and motorboat (see above!)

Glamping Pictures

Jayco Starcraft interior. You could say our vans look a lot like glamping…

What’s your opinion on glamping? Let us know in the comments section below.

Read the March newsletter

Jayco Australia is planning to release an exciting new concept Expanda Pop Top. It will be called the Expanda Sport, and will be designed for families who like to travel with larger items such as bikes, or who require additional space to set up a cot for a young one. We’d like your feedback to pass on to Jayco!

Van Pictures

So what do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.

Looking for the perfect place to go carvanning or camping over the Easter break? Experienced SA caravanners have put their heads together to come up with the top 7 destinations for your perfect long weekend.

#1: BURRA GORGE

Burra Creek Gorge is about 170 k’s from Adelaide and sits between Robertstown and Burra in the State’s mid north. Burra Creek Gorge is also known as ‘Worlds End Gorge’.

Ros“Burra Creek is awesome or up along the river just outside of Cadell are some really lovely spots and: if you find the right position you can be close to a toilet depends how little your kids are.”
Caz“Burra Gorge or Mambray Creek are favourites.”
Scott“Burra gorge is good and safe for a family and your little fellas can try their hand at yabbying.”
Kelly“Have to agree with Burra Gorge/Worlds end. Great camping and even at Easter we have never had a: problem with spots.”

#2: RAPID BAY

Rapid Bay a small seaside town and a small bay on the west coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula about 100 k’s from Adelaide.

Cazza“Rapid bay is awesome but really busy these days so get in early.”
Jacqui“Rapid bay is really good.”
Adam“Rapid bay, we have disabled kids and it is great with the playground, daily cleaned flushing toilets, enclosed: bay and local spots to explore. Bring your own water though.”
Damian“Rapid bay is a great spot!”

#3: MAMBRAY CREEK

Part of the Mount Remarkable National Park, Mambray Creek is accessed via the Princes Highway. The turn off, north of Port Pirie, is well signposted. It is about 270 k’s north of Adelaide.

Catherine“Mambray creek, hot showers, toilets, beautiful gorge walks, about 3.5 hrs from Adelaide.”
Chris“Mambray creek has hot showers, flushing toilets, goannas, kangaroos, emus, kookaburras at the camp sites,: walking trails…”
Bron“Mambray creek is an awesome spot. Heaps of close by areas to explore too. My kids love it there.”
Em“Mambray Creek in the Flinders Rangers is beautiful!!! There are areas for playing games, different length: and difficulty hiking trails, bbq areas, a creek area good for catching yabbies if there’s water in it. Port: Germain beach is nearby with the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere, a great place for fishing and: crabbing, with an absolutely wonderful children’s playground. Quorn is nearby with a working steam train: great for kids and adults. Port Augusta, Port Pirie & Melrose are also all nearby. The list goes on!!”

#4: DEEP CREEK CONSERVATION PARK

The largest slab of native vegetation in the Fleurieu Peninsula is situated within Deep Creek Conservation Park. The Park is just over 100 k’s south of Adelaide. Please note that some places in deep creek will be closed over the Easter break, to find more info click here.

Bianca“We go to stringybark in deep creek conservation park. Amenities are there should you need them or go: without if you choose. It’s beautiful. Walking trails and wildlife great for kids.”
Leah“Deep Creek Conservation Park. Lots of nice spots but if you want showers and flushing toilets this is the: best spot.”
Jared“Deep creek conservation park, most camp grounds are accessible by 2wd cars.”
Rodney“I’ll 2nd deep creek, but gets busy over Easter, the rangers will help you find a nice spot, kids love it.”

#5: MANNUM

Mannum is a historic town on the west bank of the Murray River in South Australia, 84 k’s east of Adelaide.

Michelle“Mannum is great, but get there early – camp right next to the river.”
Robert“Walkers Flat, Mannum.”
Indy“Mannum has a free camping area and has a toilet there as well close to town just over the ferry.”
Robert“Indy, obviously you haven’t been to Mannum lately both reserves over the ferry now charge $10 a night: thanks to the scabby Lower Murray Council.”

#6: YORKE PENINSULA (BUTLERS BEACH, BROWNS BEACH)

The Yorke Peninsula is located north-west and west of Adelaide, between Spencer Gulf on the west and Gulf St Vincent on the east. It’s just over an hours drive from Adelaide.

Andrew“Lots of places on the yorke peninsula. Butlers Beach.”
Leah“There are LOADS of awesome free camping spots on the Yorke Peninsula.”
Sarah“Beautiful park, easy access, easy trails, beach and lots of emus and kangaroos!”
Luke“There are plenty of bush camps on Yorke Peninsula….there will be other campers around at Easter. The: Gap is one of my fav spots. Turn right at Weetulta and drive on “Gap Rd ” for roughly 17 -20 km. Weetulta is: below Moonta/Port Hughes, you don’t need 4×4 for this bit of dirt. Camp spot has one enviro toilet that the: council installed which is handy for Missus and the kids. Sand Dunes to camp behind and beautiful beaches: to explore. If you’re lucky you may get a spot on the Esplanade…”

#7: MELROSE CAMPING GROUNDS

Melrose is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges. It is in the shadow of Mount Remarkable, 265 k’s north of Adelaide. The town was once named “Mount Remarkable”.

Sarah“Melrose camping grounds… Separate from the caravan park with amenities, but get there early for a spot.: Go and check out Alligator Gorge and Mt Remarkable walking trails. Schnitty at Mt Remarkable hotel a: must!!!”


Your favourite didn’t make the top 7? Let us know in the comments below.

Read the February Edition 2 newsletter