Smelt 2020

[doyourtime89]

I just got an email from the game department saying there will be a smelt dip opening this Friday.  I was just wondering if anyone has been around the river and been seeing anything.  Thanks

[Jason]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/one-day-smelt-opening-announced-cowlitz-river

[HntnFsh]

My guess is that its going to be a great way to kill most of a day. But most likely go home smeltless.

Things could change overnight. But I doubt it. Was down at Willow grove yesterday. saw a few gulls down at Abernathy and a couple pinnipeds out in front of the park, but that was it. Drove up westside highway from kelso to Castle Rock. Nothing.

[Brushcrawler]

It is a shame they chose to do the only opener in two years on a school day. Pretty tough to introduce kids to something that way.

[fowl smacker]

The natives were dipping at Carnival market one day last week and again today.  Watched for a bit and they weren't getting any while I was there.

[The Deacon]

Two to three weeks ago would have been perfect. Dozens (upon dozens) of marine mammals in the stretch from Cathlamet to Longview. Now, nothing. Figure it's only killing four hours AND would include a visit to The Pancake House on 15th and Tenant Way in Longview. That alone will make it worthwhile! Good luck. Be safe -

[bhawley76]

I remember that being a big thing with my grampa when I was a kid, Those days are long gone.

[Ghost Hunter]

My guess is that its going to be a great way to kill most of a day. But most likely go home smeltless.

Things could change overnight. But I doubt it. Was down at Willow grove yesterday. saw a few gulls down at Abernathy and a couple pinnipeds out in front of the park, but that was it. Drove up westside highway from kelso to Castle Rock. Nothing.

   Last time they opened it was a bust. 

[Jingles]

Smelt dipping is WA is a joke, Originally being from the Great Lakes area we'd go smelt dipping and bring home a 32 gal garbage can full in 3 to 4 hours then spend the rest of the day and part of the night cleaning, wrapping and freezing.

[Angry Perch]

Smelt dipping is WA is a joke, Originally being from the Great Lakes area we'd go smelt dipping and bring home a 32 gal garbage can full in 3 to 4 hours then spend the rest of the day and part of the night cleaning, wrapping and freezing.

Depending on where in the Great Lakes, that'd be "shmelt", not smelt! 

[Parasite]

I'm originally from Michigan. The Great Lakes smelt fishery is in even worse shape last I checked. Been that way for 20 years now from what I recall. And 32 gallons, no thanks, 1 gallon is the most I ever want to clean in a sitting.

Smelt dipping is WA is a joke, Originally being from the Great Lakes area we'd go smelt dipping and bring home a 32 gal garbage can full in 3 to 4 hours then spend the rest of the day and part of the night cleaning, wrapping and freezing.

[Jason]

My guess is that its going to be a great way to kill most of a day. But most likely go home smeltless.

Things could change overnight. But I doubt it. Was down at Willow grove yesterday. saw a few gulls down at Abernathy and a couple pinnipeds out in front of the park, but that was it. Drove up westside highway from kelso to Castle Rock. Nothing.

   Last time they opened it was a bust.

We had 3 limits in under half an hour the last go around. Hardly a bust. We could have had 5 limits but we didn't see the need for that much smelt.

[lastmk8]

I'm originally from Michigan. The Great Lakes smelt fishery is in even worse shape last I checked. Been that way for 20 years now from what I recall. And 32 gallons, no thanks, 1 gallon is the most I ever want to clean in a sitting.

Smelt dipping is WA is a joke, Originally being from the Great Lakes area we'd go smelt dipping and bring home a 32 gal garbage can full in 3 to 4 hours then spend the rest of the day and part of the night cleaning, wrapping and freezing.

My Uncle (from Michigan also) had a washing machine back in the 70's 80's for "cleaning" smelt.  Snip the head and belly and into the washing machine they went.  Probably on the gentle cycle I guess, but he used that sucker every year.

[fowl smacker]

My guess is that its going to be a great way to kill most of a day. But most likely go home smeltless.

Things could change overnight. But I doubt it. Was down at Willow grove yesterday. saw a few gulls down at Abernathy and a couple pinnipeds out in front of the park, but that was it. Drove up westside highway from kelso to Castle Rock. Nothing.

   Last time they opened it was a bust.

Last time they had a recreational fishery on the Cowlitz in 2017 it was far from a bust.  My kids were grabbing them with their hands from the boat launch.  I predict this Friday to be a big nothing burger though.

[WAcoueshunter]

Well, my buddy just filled their five limits in 15 minutes. Guess it was okay!  😏

[ELKBURGER]

Well, my buddy just filled their five limits in 15 minutes. Guess it was okay!  😏

Yep, hearing a lot of the same.

[The Deacon]

Okay...I lied. Yesterday was a fine adventure. The Pancake House followed by dipping. Lots of people, but not the circus I expected. Limits in roughly an hour. Big smelt, too. Good LEO and WDFW presence. People were nice and helpful. Lots of families with little ones. Great social event, and got plenty of bait -