Hi all,
I'm looking for ideas for a better way of cleaning fish.

Right now, I just do it on a paddle or a flat rock somewhere. It's a pain with the fish sliding on me, or just crooked, or maybe I'm just spolied for cleaning them at home.

Anyway, I was thinking of a rollup fishing board. Maybe something with wooden slats, that had a rod or 2, to stiffen it up, once you unroll it.

Thoughts? Comments?

I just use a thin piece of plywood and slide it into the back panel of a pack. Burn it at the end of the trip or just leave it in camp for the next person to burn or use.

quote PortageKeeper: "I just use a thin piece of plywood and slide it into the back panel of a pack. Burn it at the end of the trip or just leave it in camp for the next person to burn or use."

I love this idea! I was thinking of bringing a "tabletop" to the bwca this year for playing cards (when it rains) food pre and cleaning fish. I was thinking how a board game folds out and using that or something similar. But a small piece of osb or plywood would work great. By the way I'm a carpenter and I might know where to get a scrap or two of osb.

I use a 1/8" thick 10"x18" piece of aluminum plate with a very sturdy spring clip bolted to one end to hold the tail in place. I stamped inch markings on the side for length reference, round the corners to a 1/2" radius. I stick it in the back or bottom of a #4 Duluth pack which adds a little support to the pack, and it also is used for a wind break when needed for the stove. Very lightweight, right around a pound.

I came across this idea in one of Hoops canoe videos. He starts with a thin, flexible piece of cutting board and attaches some closed cell foam to the bottom and a piece of cord. The foam looks like it helps grip the rock while cutting. The board can just float at waters edge getting cleaned and is away from camp in case of bears.

It's sort of hard to describe, but have a look at the video and just skip ahead to minute 8:00 to see the cutting board. Hoop's cutting board

If you are not familiar with Hoop, he runs a forum similar to this one specific to winter camping, and also does a lot of videos about his extended Canadian wilderness canoe trips.

If the plywood option works better for folks, that's great, but I'd suggest burning or packing out. My own preference would be to not find someone else's used cutting board in a campsite. Just my two cents.

Oh, and here's the REI cutting board I think he starts with. Under 4 bucks!