Actually it was freezing cold at the time. Anyone remember the blizzard of March '93. There's no way them poor lil ol' kippers would have been rancid. AND they were in a cooler packed with ice.
AND if you don't quit picking on me Spaw me ol' china, I'll tell you the rest of the story of that day and the drive from Alabama.

About that verse - to quote Utah Phillips - "Good Though"

Bert.