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.