Smelting

[Winchester670]

Hey guys  so basically im looking to go smelting with my dad but I've been trying to research seasons/limitations/areas etc. and It's all kind of confusing from what i understand its only open 4 days a month and in only select locations?? was wondering if anyone had any info or tips etc. My dad used to go with his dad but he cant remember exactly were, not looking for anyones secret spots or anything but maybe like a map of were they run? any help would be very appreciated.

Thanks and happy fishing   

[Aneoakleaf]

There's wal to wall seals in the kelso part of the river right now

[shoot-em-dead]

look for an open area and grab a smelt net- the run up the rivers in spirts so hard to say when is the time to be there. Just got to be lucky as I have seen it hot for ten minutes and nothing for the rest of the night. Other years when it is real good they open up the time slots. I am not sure if you have kids but bring them along as they seem to have the most fun when they are running.

[Winchester670]

Awesome I got my net no kids though looks like were gonna make a family outing of it should be a blast
Cool found out seasons
Anyone hear if there running good

[gasman]

I remember smalting as a kid. Playing on the shore while my dad and uncle diped ffor smelt and then the hours of cleaning fish when we got home  Mom would freeze 3lb buckets of smelt to pull out of the freezer when needed and dad would always smoke up a buch to. 

[Blacklab]

Oh yeah smoked smelt 
Remember when I was a kid hitting the sandy & cowlitz river. One dip would be one persons limit.

[fishcrazy]

http://www.bobsmerch.com/index.htm

Bobs will have updates on their web page when it starts. You can also call them and get the most up to date reports. They can be very helpful to new people. Stop in and talk to them.

Kris

[Antlershed]

I know they were in about a week ago. The commies were netting the Big River and took 2000 pounds.

[MuleySniper]

I think they do it somewhere in Gorst too. Ive never done it, Id like to try it some day but..... Sooo many other hobbies its tough to find the time.
MS

[Winchester670]

Thanks fish I'll keep an eye out for the updates
Ha I keep hearing about this smoked smelt cant wait to try it 

[shoot-em-dead]

Thanks fish I'll keep an eye out for the updates
Ha I keep hearing about this smoked smelt cant wait to try it 

The ONLY thing they are good for is sturgeon bait

[cohoho]

Thanks fish I'll keep an eye out for the updates
Ha I keep hearing about this smoked smelt cant wait to try it  

The ONLY thing they are good for is sturgeon bait

Exactly.....  I tried them, phew!  Glad the Sturgeon like them---  With that note anyone get way more than they can eat, I'd gladly take them off your hands.  PM me please if you get some...  

[Blacklab]

Thanks fish I'll keep an eye out for the updates
Ha I keep hearing about this smoked smelt cant wait to try it 

The ONLY thing they are good for is sturgeon bait

LMAO
I know more people that say that than Good Eats. Looks like I have the best of both worlds ...........wink

[Happy Gilmore]

I took my ex-girlfriends' son a few years back to La Conner and fished off the dock with rigs that looked like micro crappie jigs. Something like 7 hooks on a rig. It was pretty fun.(fishing not the ex-girlfriend) Froze them in Gatorade jugs and water to use for crab bait. Hap

[fishcrazy]

I'm with you Cohoho!!

I don't eat bait!!! Would rather eat the gators.

Kris

[Magnum_Willys]

Opens Saturday ( Today - Feb 6th ) in the Cowlitz.  Dipping will be allowed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a 10-pound daily limit.

[huntnphool]

If anyone wants to sell some I'm looking to pick up a few pounds.

[Hangfire]

Hard to believe where all the smelt have gone to compared to a few years ago.  In 1977 or 78 they returned to all the rivers from the Cowlitz to the Washougal over a 2 month period.  With all the relatives coming to visit, my wife and I cleaned over 700 pounds of them In the mid 90's, one dip would overflow a 5 gallon pail in the Cowlit, just upstream from the fairgrounds at CastleRock.

Very good eating, cleaned, head cut off rolled in flour or corn meal, seasoned and fried crispy. Served with creamed potato's and peas. I did over do it once, ate 47 of the things.

Be careful selling.. Illegal to sale with out all the proper license.

[Magnum_Willys]

Report From Bob's this morning: February 6, 2010 -  "We drove the Cowlitz River from Lexington to Gearhart Gardens and found ZERO smelt."

Anyone get any up by Castle Rock ?

[huntnphool]

Be careful selling.. Illegal to sale with out all the proper license.

A PM is fine, I'm not looking for someone to advertise it.

[kbyers]

Be careful selling.. Illegal to sale with out all the proper license.

There isn't anything wrong with paying for someone's gas and lunch though