Post by: doyourtime89 on January 29, 2015, 10:32:53 AM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jan2815c/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jan2815c/)
Post by: bigtex on January 29, 2015, 10:36:14 AM
Post by: kentrek on January 29, 2015, 10:44:17 AM
Post by: Skillet on January 29, 2015, 10:59:51 AM
They are such tasty little buggars.
Post by: 762Armo on January 29, 2015, 05:52:51 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on January 29, 2015, 05:53:57 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 29, 2015, 06:03:23 PM
Never done this before, always wanted to. Who's got the tips and tricks for us newbies?? Equipment suggestions?
They are such tasty little buggars.
I would also be interested in seeing some net and setups.
Post by: HntnFsh on January 29, 2015, 06:26:28 PM
Good Luck all.
HntnFsh
Post by: bearpaw on January 29, 2015, 06:31:02 PM
How many days will the run likely last?
Post by: bigtex on January 29, 2015, 06:36:37 PM
About a 1/4 of a 5 gallon bucket is close to a 10 lb. Limit. All limits have to be in separate containers.It is also illegal to sort/throw back any smelt that is caught prior to obtaining your limit. You'll sometimes see people throwing back females or smaller smelt. Just like razor clams, you must keep all of your smelt regardless of size/sex.
Post by: HntnFsh on January 29, 2015, 06:42:23 PM
When the females are in thick they aren't as good of table fair. Good sturgeon bait though. The females will be shinier and pretty slick with a fat belly. The males will have a rougher feel and duller color to them.
Post by: Skillet on January 30, 2015, 01:40:33 PM
Post by: runamuk on January 30, 2015, 01:48:29 PM
How do you clean so many little fish at one time?
When we used to eat them just bread fry pop off head and eat similar to eating sardines or herring you just cook and eat it I remember them being delicious, I remember herring being good as well.
Post by: magnanimous_j on January 30, 2015, 01:53:01 PM
It was really fun.
Post by: runamuk on January 30, 2015, 02:05:53 PM
Post by: WSU on January 30, 2015, 02:25:24 PM
Post by: TONTO on January 30, 2015, 05:01:52 PM
About a 1/4 of a 5 gallon bucket is close to a 10 lb. Limit. All limits have to be in separate containers.It is also illegal to sort/throw back any smelt that is caught prior to obtaining your limit. You'll sometimes see people throwing back females or smaller smelt. Just like razor clams, you must keep all of your smelt regardless of size/sex.
First I have ever heard of that. What if the fish are sorted in the net and never leave the water? If the native fish society peeps can molest native steel with a fly, why can't I release smelt? Last year on the last dipping day I did just that, I already had enough bait and fried my fill, so on the last day I sorted them in the net and only the large males went in the bucket. Made for a couple nice smoker loads.
Post by: Pete112288 on January 30, 2015, 05:08:59 PM
Post by: cohoho on January 30, 2015, 06:40:57 PM
Post by: pd on January 30, 2015, 07:23:00 PM
Post by: washelkhunter on January 30, 2015, 07:29:13 PM
Post by: TheHunt on January 30, 2015, 08:02:13 PM
Post by: fishnfur on January 30, 2015, 10:23:09 PM
Time to loose those laws protecting those animals, which are no longer hunted and clearly not endangered. I'm just sayin'...... :(
Post by: bigtex on January 30, 2015, 10:26:46 PM
No sorting at all.First I have ever heard of that. What if the fish are sorted in the net and never leave the water? If the native fish society peeps can molest native steel with a fly, why can't I release smelt? Last year on the last dipping day I did just that, I already had enough bait and fried my fill, so on the last day I sorted them in the net and only the large males went in the bucket. Made for a couple nice smoker loads.About a 1/4 of a 5 gallon bucket is close to a 10 lb. Limit. All limits have to be in separate containers.It is also illegal to sort/throw back any smelt that is caught prior to obtaining your limit. You'll sometimes see people throwing back females or smaller smelt. Just like razor clams, you must keep all of your smelt regardless of size/sex.
Post by: columbiaman on February 02, 2015, 05:03:59 PM
When the smelt are in, go to the Cowlitz about anywhere between Longview and Castle Rock. There will be tons of vehicles. Probably somebody that would let you borrow their net too. But if not Bobs may have them for sale. I would guess around $30. Aluminum telescoping handle. I think they are about 12' long. But last year I just used 1 section as the smelt were following the bank. Just a solid black stream of them. Start upstream and sweep your net downstream right through the travel lane. At the end of your sweep twist your net handle a 1/4 turn so that the opening is up. Pull it back to the bank. Grab the net of smelt from the bottom. Twist your handle so the opening is facing your bucket. Dump the hand full of smelt in the bucket. Do it all over again until you have your limit. Last year it was 1 dip and you usually had too many smelt. If they aren't in thick you may have to figure out where that lane is. Either by watching others or trial and error. Different depths and distances from the bank. You will usually feel them hitting the end of your net. On your downstream sweep make mental note of where your hitting sticks and rocks so you can try to avoid getting hung up. If your too forceful then you may tear your net. About a 1/4 of a 5 gallon bucket is close to a 10 lb. Limit. All limits have to be in separate containers.
Good Luck all.
HntnFsh
great advice :tup:
Post by: Jamieb on February 02, 2015, 06:50:41 PM
Post by: pd on February 09, 2015, 11:26:21 AM
Did anybody here get out on the Cowlitz this weekend? How was it? A lot of traffic? Please post a report.
Post by: WSU on February 09, 2015, 12:26:07 PM
I fried some up last night. They tasted fine but I could get the meat firm to save my life. Am I doing it wrong or is fried smelt just not firm?
Post by: Encore 280 on February 09, 2015, 12:43:50 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on February 09, 2015, 01:15:24 PM
Post by: TheHunt on February 09, 2015, 02:22:43 PM
Post by: Encore 280 on February 09, 2015, 02:59:44 PM
Ours fried were not firm either. But tasted fine. Are smoked smelt a lot firmer.?I would assume so.
I'm gonna have one or some smoked ones here in a bit with a beer or two. I'll let ya know how they are.
Post by: Encore 280 on February 09, 2015, 06:11:46 PM
Post by: pd on February 09, 2015, 06:48:16 PM
Oh man! Just had a smoked one, good grits Maynard!! :tup: Gave a bite to The Warden and she loves 'em!!! Success!!! :IBCOOL:
Hey Encore. Maybe you could lend me your net. Just don't tell the Warden about me, or both of us might have to do some extra chores.
Post by: Bullkllr on February 09, 2015, 07:09:43 PM
I went. Lots of traffic and lots of smelt. We got our limits (2) with a borrowed net in about 3 minutes.
I fried some up last night. They tasted fine but I could get the meat firm to save my life. Am I doing it wrong or is fried smelt just not firm?
Fried Columbia river smelt has never been what I would call a firm-meated fish.
I can handle about 1 batch a year. Best part is the fins and butter crunchies from the coating; the fish itself is pretty ...meh.
When I was a kid it was smelt for dinner for, well...way too long some years.
Post by: jay.sharkbait on February 09, 2015, 07:37:46 PM
I went. Lots of traffic and lots of smelt. We got our limits (2) with a borrowed net in about 3 minutes.
I fried some up last night. They tasted fine but I could get the meat firm to save my life. Am I doing it wrong or is fried smelt just not firm?
Fried Columbia river smelt has never been what I would call a firm-meated fish.
I can handle about 1 batch a year. Best part is the fins and butter crunchies from the coating; the fish itself is pretty ...meh.
When I was a kid it was smelt for dinner for, well...way too long some years.
I grew up on Johnson Pt/ Henderson Inlet. The sea run stuff is way better :)
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 09, 2015, 08:06:56 PM
Post by: Panic Minnow on February 09, 2015, 09:53:22 PM
I was really disappointed at everyone that took way over their limits. I actually did not know what I was going to do with the 15# we got. My garden will be doing real good this year with the small ones and the smelt guts.....
Post by: ICEMAN on February 10, 2015, 07:28:40 AM
When the smelt are in, go to the Cowlitz about anywhere between Longview and Castle Rock. There will be tons of vehicles. Probably somebody that would let you borrow their net too. But if not Bobs may have them for sale. I would guess around $30. Aluminum telescoping handle. I think they are about 12' long. But last year I just used 1 section as the smelt were following the bank. Just a solid black stream of them. Start upstream and sweep your net downstream right through the travel lane. At the end of your sweep twist your net handle a 1/4 turn so that the opening is up. Pull it back to the bank. Grab the net of smelt from the bottom. Twist your handle so the opening is facing your bucket. Dump the hand full of smelt in the bucket. Do it all over again until you have your limit. Last year it was 1 dip and you usually had too many smelt. If they aren't in thick you may have to figure out where that lane is. Either by watching others or trial and error. Different depths and distances from the bank. You will usually feel them hitting the end of your net. On your downstream sweep make mental note of where your hitting sticks and rocks so you can try to avoid getting hung up. If your too forceful then you may tear your net. About a 1/4 of a 5 gallon bucket is close to a 10 lb. Limit. All limits have to be in separate containers.
Good Luck all.
HntnFsh
great advice :tup:
No kidding. Best tutorial on smelt fishing of all time. Great job Huntnfsh!
Post by: Jamieb on February 11, 2015, 07:17:14 AM
I'm not going to even going to dip, 10# for last weekend is enough for me.
Post by: pd on February 14, 2015, 11:07:13 PM
Encore told me that last week's run was so strong, they limited in 5 minutes. Today wasn't anything like that. There were indeed a horde of people everywhere you looked, but most people struggled. One thing I didn't know is the need for waders---the guys who really did well were out in the middle of the river, up to their navels in water. Even then, it took an hour or so for them to limit.
We were limited to the bank, with knee-high gum boots, and didn't limit (we broke off early because of conflicting schedules). It was a beautiful day today on the river, and everybody had a great time. Next year I will bring waders.
Post by: Trapper John on February 15, 2015, 09:30:31 AM
So I pulled out the net grabbed my wife and daughter and we headed down to Castle Rock. Wow, were three and the lot of people everywhere. Banks were full with people side by side. We went down river were the crowd wasn't so bad. We let home and drove for two and a half hours. Got there around 9:45 and worked on getting those little bugger's until noon.
We picked up 18 pounds for the three of us. Just like everybody we seen all you were getting at one dip was one maybe two or three fish at a time. Worked for every one and will really enjoy each one for sure. Had a great day with my older daughter :yeah: that still likes to fish with dad and mom.
We'll be out next time if they open it up again. :tup:
JC. :hello:
Post by: Jason on February 15, 2015, 03:04:03 PM
I borrowed a net from my buddy who inherited from his great grandfather, we could reach out about 16' with it. We had our 3 limits in 45min and never had to get wet. I rioeally didn't know what to expect, but I surely didn't expect it to be combat smelt dipping, I still am shocked at what a saw yesterday and definitely look forward to doing it again.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi165.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu41%2Fswampr42%2FIMG_20150214_085316381_zpsrin3vy3n.jpg&hash=a7d96fb52779f2965ea296f344fabaace1ff13be) (http://s165.photobucket.com/user/swampr42/media/IMG_20150214_085316381_zpsrin3vy3n.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi165.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu41%2Fswampr42%2FIMG_20150214_082008090_zpscgzwxggh.jpg&hash=66ff3eb3e725a4fec8fc01ef72df162c37104141) (http://s165.photobucket.com/user/swampr42/media/IMG_20150214_082008090_zpscgzwxggh.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi165.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu41%2Fswampr42%2FIMG_20150214_083001325_zpsyrdmxihn.jpg&hash=ffb5001a91bf098530edb37a9747218c9477cf80) (http://s165.photobucket.com/user/swampr42/media/IMG_20150214_083001325_zpsyrdmxihn.jpg.html)
Post by: WAcoueshunter on February 16, 2015, 07:04:15 PM
Went to Castle Rock and HOLY COW, there were a bunch of people. Can't imagine Castle Rock has been that crowded...ever? Smelt season used to be a lot longer, so that might be the truth.
We wound up further south close to Lexington. Took a while to get the right technique/lane down, but after watching the russians kick our tails we finally figured it out. Wound up with seven limits for two nets in about two hours - most of that was in the last thirty minutes once we figured it out. After cleaning them, decided next time we don't need that many stinking smelt!
Found a couple Mediterranean sardine recipes and cooked some up last night. Fantastic. Super mild flavor, and the whole skeleton just pulls right out when you grab the tail and pull. Nice change of pace from the normal salmon, trout, rockfish/cod diet. Yes, not super firm, but when you doctor them up with garlic, olives, etc., they were awfully good.
Post by: pjb3 on February 25, 2015, 01:12:37 PM
Thinking of going this weekend out of La Conner where they are having a smelt derby