Smelt 2017

[BIGMIKE]

Any of you guys got the scoop on this years open days? My kids are excited since last year. Easy cheap fun for the whole family.

[Jason]

I haven't seen anything yet, but should be about a month out.

Not sure if the kids and I will go this year as we don't seem to do much with the Smelt and always have a bunch left over.

[Dhoey07]

Did you have to buy a fishing license for them last year?

[Blacklab]

Jason they make great candles as well     

[Boss .300 winmag]

@Jason how did you cook them?

[Jason]

@Jason how did you cook them?

their smoked or fried in our house. And no I don't smoke them whole with the heads and guts in them 

[Boss .300 winmag]

@Jason how did you cook them?

their smoked or fried in our house. And no I don't smoke them whole with the heads and guts in them 

We always had them fried in flour in a cast iron skillet till golden brown crunchy.    That was one thing my gramps did cook right. Never had them smoked, but I bet it's good if you smoked to a really dry state.

[metlhead]

My favorite recipe at one time had them tasting just like sturgeon. Small sacrifice for such a nice upgrade. And the roses look good also.

[WSU]

They were good smoked. Best part was my 2 year olds would carry around by the handfuls and eat them fins and all. Grossed my wife out.

[jay.sharkbait]

I grew up with the saltwater version. They would spawn in front of the cabin during the fall.

We would pan fry the big ones while they were still moving and smoke the little ones whole.

[lokidog]

What do you smelt smokers use for brine?  I got a bunch on Lopez Is last year and like them fried, but I'd like to try something different.

[WSU]

I tried my salmon brine and it worked fine

[jay.sharkbait]

What do you smelt smokers use for brine?  I got a bunch on Lopez Is last year and like them fried, but I'd like to try something different.

I used a light salt brine to get rid of the slime. I only soaked them for a hour or so.

[JDHasty]

I tried my salmon brine and it worked fine

 

[Blacklab]

When I was a kid my grandfather would smokem. With or without the heads all good to me back then. Can't ever remember having them fried, probably did though. Any of your favorite fish brine should work. I personally haven't smoked any wouldn't be difficult. Heck haven't even dipped for them in 100 yrs.

[Woodchuck]

Cut the garbage guys so I don't have to flush another thread because two adults want to puff their chests out.

[2MANY]

I agree.

Can only clipped smelt be retained.?

[WSU]

I agree.

Can only clipped smelt be retained.?

Left ventral only.

[elkdrivemenuts]

Picked smelt are the best way to go. Smoke then guts and all, then just eat them like red vines. Mmmmm

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[lokidog]

Did you have to buy a fishing license for them last year?

Pretty sure they are fish and require a license to be "caught".  ;-)

[TONTO]

Did you have to buy a fishing license for them last year?

Pretty sure they are fish and require a license to be "caught".  ;-)

 No license required, but it sounds like there may not be an opener this year. We'll have to wait and see. I do get a craving for a big smelt fry once a year, as a kid we ate the damn things year round anymore once a year is about all I can do.

[lokidog]

Really? Why not I wonder? They are utilizing state/Fed controlled resources the same as spammers or any other fisherman.   

[shadowless_nite]

Saw this on ifish..... kinda update as to the smelt situation. Looks like they are gonna meet next weekend on it. Most likely gonna be too late as some have posted in that forum. IF there is even going to be any open dates....

http://www.ifish.net/board/index.php#/topics/1360825?page=2&_k=bm1fau

[flatbkman]

As I posted in another thread I saw 6 seals in the Cowlitz by the Allen Street Bridge yesterday. Does that mean the run is early this year?

[Brushcrawler]

How long does it usually last when they are in?

[bullfisher]

I say keep it closed until the runs as big as it use to be so we can get the sturgeon population back up and open for retention again. Shoot the seals.

[JDHasty]

I say keep it closed until the runs as big as it use to be so we can get the sturgeon population back up and open for retention again. Shoot the seals.

I agree.  We used to go down to Castle Rock and "limit out" on one dip.  We took our girl friends, waders, beer, a smelt net and pickle buckets and had a blast.  We stayed in the motel and went out afterward and spent a bunch of money, but it was "all good" it was a hella' party we had, that we all looked forward to until the runs diminished.

We stuck a tooth pick through the eyes and hung them in a Lil' Chief smoker after brining them and  they were a fan favorite while we still had some. 

Lotsa' years ago though.  If closing it for a few years would get the runs back: Hey: I am all for it.  I would love to take the wife and kids down for a weekend, minus the after dipping hanging out in the bars and getting plastered, of course. 

I have not been in decades, but I have fond remembrances of my mom taking us there, I have fond memories of groups like our group of high-school friends, who still hung together going down through our mid-twenties, and I remember families taking the family RV down there having the time of their life dipping smelt!   

There is nothing I would like more than to make smelt dipping the family tradition it was while I was growing up. 

[Curly]

Saw about 10 sealions working in the Willapa river today. Then 100 or so seagulls. I'm thinking maybe some smelt were in....

[doyourtime89]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/feb2117a/

Any word from anyone down in that area.  If there are seeing any or any signs for them being around? 

[HntnFsh]

I didn't see any sign of smelt Saturday. But a guy on Ifish said he saw gulls and seals working this evening.