Interesting article about smelt run.

[Ripper]

http://tdn.com/news/local/big-smelt-run-has-stretch-of-columbia-alive-with-animal/article_54060840-8dd2-11e2-945d-0019bb2963f4.html

[plunker01]

Ya I live right next to the cowlitz and I have never seen so many smelt in my life. The river was literally black with the amount of smelt in the river. I was springer fishing yesterday up high on the river and there were still smelt coming and I dont recall ever seeing them that high up the river. The game wardens have been pretty thick to they didnt even check my licsense they just wanted to make sure I wasnt dipping or if id seen anyone else doing it

[smdave]

Any one on here make pickled smelt? I want some, my grandpa used to make it every year I miss those times.

[huntnphool]

Anyone know of places down there selling any?

[huntnphool]

I have to wonder if this is just another result of the tsunami taking out the Japanese fishing fleet.

[Curly]

Chuck Norris commented on that article.  He says the Canadians are to blame for us not being able to dip smelt:

    Chuck Norris - March 16, 2013 10:44 pm
They will never return to the numbers before without regulating the smelt bycatch in the Canadian ocean shrimp fishery. Yes our resource the mighty smelt is being taken away from us and being called an incidental catch. Those fish are being sent to market and sold. So is it really a bycatch, I think not. Our natural resource is being decimated for a Canadian financial return.

Too bad he doesn't just roundhouse kick those Canadian shrimpers until they stop taking the smelt.     

[snowpack]

Anyone know of places down there selling any?

I didn't think any could be harvested, sport or commercial.  Not sure about tribal--if anyone has them that's where I'd check.

[scree]

I was raised in Michigan and smelt dipping is a spring time ritual there but the smelt are nearly gone there as well.  Too bad I love fried smelt.  I hope it comes back one day.  I have thought about surf smelt but I'm not sure how to get after them.  Any pointers would be appreciated.