Has anyone had luck blackening fish on aluminum pans? My first effort last week in the BW didn't workout so well. I never have issues at home with cast iron.

I've never done it, but if you are using a camp stove, try a diffuser. I also replaced my aluminuim camp fry pan with a coated fry pan from target. i removed the handle. Wish I had done it 20 years ago. It's still not cast iron, but the extra thickness distributes the heat better and prevents scorching.

Instead of aluminum I like "disk bottomed" fry pans, like this

Stainless with a multi ply heavy bottom for even heat. Buy used, modify as needed.

butthead