2016 smelt dipping

[fishnfur]

Here's some news:  I travel the lower Columbia about three days a week this time of year.  Wednesday, I saw about 15 or so seals around the Mill Creek area along with a bunch of gulls looking like they were chasing smelt.  Today, the number of seals was well over a hundred in a 10 mile stretch.  I'd say the early run is already happening.  It will be interesting to see what the numbers look like in the Cow.

I also saw one boat out that appeared to be trolling for springers.  Gotta love that guy's intensity!

[Bigshooter]

Looks like it will be open February 6th.

[2MANY]

Smelt Chew?

[Jason]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jan2816b

[ICEMAN]

I just might have to hit the river again. Last two years was great. Pan fried smelt, crisp around the edges with over easy eggs.....Yum!

January 28, 2016
Contact: WDFW Region 5 Office, (360) 696-6211

From wildlife: Smelt: As in the past two years, fishery managers approved a limited fishery for smelt on the Cowlitz River to help gather data on the species’ abundance. Recreational smelt dipping will be restricted to the hours of 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. The limit per person is 10 pounds – about one-quarter of a five-gallon bucket. Smelt dipping is not allowed from boats.

[Utah]

My dog loves them.

[Lost in the mountains]

Well smelt have been here for 2 weeks now they still arnt sure about a season but the Indians are doing so maybe they will decide to open it up for us. But for the time being the officers have stated there will be no season

[Jason]

Well smelt have been here for 2 weeks now they still arnt sure about a season but the Indians are doing so maybe they will decide to open it up for us. But for the time being the officers have stated there will be no season

They already announced a one day season, about four posts up there is a link to WDFW website.

[Lost in the mountains]

Thanks i was just going by what the officers told us today. We were down dipping with my native friends and i asked him if they were going to give the non natives a season and thats what he told us. Guess he was wrong

[Jason]

Here's an updated link.

https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1748

[doyourtime89]

Just wondering if anyone has been down around the river and has any updates on if there are some smelt in there this year in the numbers that it has been the last couple years.  I plan on being down there sometime Saturday just wondering if it is worth the drive from up here in the Seattle area. Thanks

[nontypical176]

They were up in the Cowlitz yesterday but most were back out in the Columbia from what I could tell this morning.   I'm sure there's a few poking around here and there.   I have property at rocky point on the cowlitz.    I'll be down there fighting off the crazies Saturday.  Hopefully a big shot of them make a run up there by then.   .   

Mom says the Columbia is still full of birds and sea lions near the county line.   

[Bow tech hunter]

Any reports before the dipping day

[HntnFsh]

Saw pics of smelt in the Cowlitz last night. Hopefully t by ey are there Saturday. But their pretty unpredictable.

[nontypical176]

They were in the Columbia by cathlamet yesterday but moved on this morning.   The big run still hasn't pushed into the cowlitz but there are some smelt.   Friends were watching hundreds of sea lions swim up the Columbia past Kalama yesterday so who knows where they show up next.