collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Smelt  (Read 7265 times)

Offline Ghost Hunter

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 5400
  • Location: SW <-> NE
  • Groups: NRA Patron Life Member, RMEF Life, Sponser Member
Re: Smelt
« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2024, 07:30:56 AM »
I have a net if anyone is running late from Cougar/Ariel area.   Or a few bags of frozen, seasoned smelt for bait.  Likely won't be doing much sturgeon fishing.
Economy failure = Too many people spending money they don't have on things they don't need to impress people they don't like.

Offline birddogdad

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 1999
  • Location: WA
  • Groups: LMAC, NRA
Re: Smelt
« Reply #16 on: February 15, 2024, 08:06:48 AM »
long way to travel for 10# of fish....need 17 kids in tow to make it worth the efforts!
USN retired
1981-2011

Offline Ghost Hunter

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 5400
  • Location: SW <-> NE
  • Groups: NRA Patron Life Member, RMEF Life, Sponser Member
Re: Smelt
« Reply #17 on: February 15, 2024, 09:18:05 AM »
long way to travel for 10# of fish....need 17 kids in tow to make it worth the efforts!


Like the couple that filled a truck bed last time.  I'm sure there will be some trying to make it worth it. 
Economy failure = Too many people spending money they don't have on things they don't need to impress people they don't like.

Offline 2MANY

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 5059
  • Location: Yup
Re: Smelt
« Reply #18 on: February 15, 2024, 09:34:43 AM »
Smelt Ghost Camps.

Offline Jake Dogfish

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 3827
  • Location: Des Moines
Re: Smelt
« Reply #19 on: February 15, 2024, 03:44:29 PM »
It was a little slow.  Nobody caught any at the first spot we went.
Second spot scraped up a limit.
Environmentalist Fundamentalist

Offline Smokeploe

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Feb 2013
  • Posts: 256
  • Location: Ethel
  • Groups: FTE, shooterforum
Re: Smelt
« Reply #20 on: February 20, 2024, 05:33:24 PM »
Possible another smelt dip.  Testing today.  Might know tomorrow.

Smokeploe
Smokeploe

When guns are outlawed then only outlaws will have guns!
The same with ammo!
The same with personal liberties

Online HntnFsh

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2007
  • Posts: 6227
  • Location: Toledo
Re: Smelt
« Reply #21 on: February 20, 2024, 06:17:44 PM »
From North of Lexington to Gearheart was nuts for critters over the weekend. Saw probably 200 eagles. 30 in one group of trees below Rocky point, and closer to lexington park saw about 15 soaring around like a group of vultures. They were every where. Pretty cool. Looked over the bank at Rocky point Sunday and saw about 30 lions. 1 group of 6 or 8. They were spread out all the way to the railroad bridge below Gearheart. Seagulls were crazy thick from below Camelot to kelso. A lot of new apartment roofs painted white. :chuckle:

Not quite as much action Monday, but saw gulls picking up smelt from the middle of the river. Less action downsteam Monday also.

Online HntnFsh

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2007
  • Posts: 6227
  • Location: Toledo
Re: Smelt
« Reply #22 on: February 21, 2024, 12:11:43 PM »
Way less activity today. Mostly down at Gearheart. But much slower there also. Haven't seen the birds score a smelt yet.

Offline Parasite

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2018
  • Posts: 551
  • Location: Olympia
Re: Smelt
« Reply #23 on: February 29, 2024, 11:23:05 PM »
Looks like we are getting a 2nd day for smelt on March 5th.

Offline fowl smacker

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 2219
  • Location: Castle Rock
  • Groups: DU, Delta Waterfowl, RMEF, Friends of the Cowlitz
Re: Smelt
« Reply #24 on: March 01, 2024, 05:23:29 AM »
The Indians were getting very few yesterday at Camelot.  I watched for about 10 minutes and saw them (2 dippers) get maybe a dozen.  Mostly empty nets.

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 19642
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Smelt
« Reply #25 on: March 01, 2024, 06:39:25 AM »
Done this once when I was a kid, it was fun.  But what is the main reason to get smelt?  My dad smoked them guys and all if I remember correctly, do you guys smoke them or is it mostly for bait?
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline Encore 280

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 1993
  • Location: Poulsbo
  • Groups: Encore 280
Re: Smelt
« Reply #26 on: March 01, 2024, 08:27:01 AM »
After they're cleaned, roll in flour and fry until golden brown.  :tup: My uncle would brine then smoke whole. They're also good for sturgeon bait .

Online HntnFsh

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2007
  • Posts: 6227
  • Location: Toledo
Re: Smelt
« Reply #27 on: March 01, 2024, 08:40:13 AM »
Same as above. Except I rarely use them for bait anymore since sturgeon fishing is practically non existent. I always did better with shrimp than smelt anyway.

The Cowlitz below Salmon creek and the Toutle is really high and muddy. Probably be worse by Wednesday. I'm not holding out too much hope for smelt.

Offline birddogdad

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 1999
  • Location: WA
  • Groups: LMAC, NRA
Re: Smelt
« Reply #28 on: March 01, 2024, 09:02:55 AM »
did this when i was younger on Fingerlakes in upstate NY state. Different smelt same sizes but limits were worth going after.. 5 gal pail daily and run was several weeks up the creeks... had speed nets (handle was shaped to cut water, metal basket, night time was the run in creeks... lots of fun. Found that for long term eating, freezing whole (guts and head)  they  tasted best later when thawed and processed later. not really an issue here as your limit is not much more than a snack.
USN retired
1981-2011

Offline Ghost Hunter

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 5400
  • Location: SW <-> NE
  • Groups: NRA Patron Life Member, RMEF Life, Sponser Member
Re: Smelt
« Reply #29 on: March 01, 2024, 10:05:20 AM »
Ae least the working folks can take the kids and get an hour or two in after work.   

Additional one-day smelt fishery announced for Cowlitz River on Tuesday, March 5
RIDGEFIELD – There will be another opportunity to dip for smelt in the Cowlitz River as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has approved an additional one-day recreational fishery from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5.

To increase access opportunity, the upper boundary of the fishery has been extended. Dip-netting is permitted from the shore along the river from the Highway 432 Bridge near Kelso upstream to the mouth of the Toutle River north of Castle Rock, spanning the north end of the mouth to the opposite bank of the Cowlitz River. For more details including a map showing fishing boundaries and popular access areas, visit the Cowlitz River smelt fishing webpage.
Economy failure = Too many people spending money they don't have on things they don't need to impress people they don't like.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Quinault Bear guide/help by Threewolves
[Today at 06:35:45 AM]


Gots me a new/old rockchuck rifle coming by JDHasty
[Yesterday at 10:41:07 PM]


Litefighter tent ? by slowwalker
[Yesterday at 10:25:44 PM]


Need information on having a gunsmith thread a barrel for thin walled chokes. by JDHasty
[Yesterday at 10:23:55 PM]


HUNTNNW 2025 trail cam thread and photos by kodiak06
[Yesterday at 10:22:12 PM]


Looking for Solid 22 LR input by JDHasty
[Yesterday at 10:21:31 PM]


AKC lab puppies! Born 06/10/2025 follow as they grow!!! by JWBINX
[Yesterday at 10:17:37 PM]


49 Degrees North Early Bull Moose by westdcw
[Yesterday at 09:57:25 PM]


Teanaway bull elk by teanawayslayer
[Yesterday at 05:57:24 PM]


Also looking for help deciding on a scope by Sakko300wsm
[Yesterday at 05:49:13 PM]


6mm Creedmoor Gauges by pickardjw
[Yesterday at 01:27:28 PM]


Brittany breeders by ghosthunter
[Yesterday at 01:17:23 PM]


Kings by metlhead
[Yesterday at 12:37:26 PM]


Fullsized Truck Opinion: HiMiNew vs LoMiOlder by rainshadow1
[Yesterday at 11:46:04 AM]


AUCTION: SE Idaho DIY Deer or Deer/Elk Hunt by Karl Blanchard
[Yesterday at 10:47:28 AM]


Velvet by MADMAX
[July 11, 2025, 07:35:16 PM]


Advice for a first time Bear spot and stalk? by Crunchy
[July 11, 2025, 06:02:28 PM]


2025 Canning by Twispriver
[July 11, 2025, 05:00:03 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal