Smelt 2017

[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.