Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: doyourtime89 on January 22, 2016, 02:34:35 PM

Title: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: doyourtime89 on January 22, 2016, 02:34:35 PM: I was just wondering if anyone has been hearing anything about a smelt dipping season this year. Two years ago when it was crazy good, I was out of town on the dipping dates and last year when it was great again I was just about to have back surgery and couldn't do anything. I really hope the run comes back strong again this year so I can get down there and get me some. Thanks
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Blacklab on January 23, 2016, 09:32:58 AM: Just watched outdoor GPS. Nobody knows anything as of yet. Still a little early :twocents:
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Encore 280 on January 23, 2016, 10:17:41 AM: Should be sometime next month.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Jason on January 23, 2016, 11:27:08 AM: Last year was pretty good, three limits in 20 minutes near 4 corners. I still have 90% of last years catch vacuumed packed in the freezer.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: NRA4LIFE on January 23, 2016, 12:00:02 PM: Anybody willing to take a newby? We used to net them in lake Michigan when I was young, but it was a whole different operation. 6' by 6' nets winched down off the break water in Port Washington. Never done it in a river.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: TheHunt on January 23, 2016, 02:41:07 PM: A buddy and I went down and got 6 limits. Turned them into canned smoked fish for crackers and cheese. He ate a lot of them.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: WAcoueshunter on January 23, 2016, 03:28:20 PM: Quote from: NRA4LIFE on January 23, 2016, 12:00:02 PM
Anybody willing to take a newby? We used to net them in lake Michigan when I was young, but it was a whole different operation. 6' by 6' nets winched down off the break water in Port Washington. Never done it in a river.

It's super easy, you can figure it out pretty quickly by watching others. Obviously you need a long handled smelt net, a bucket, a scale (to weigh your bucket and not go over the lb. limit), and waders are a good idea. But other than that, drive down to Castle Rock when the reports are good and get after it. There are so many people, you won't have any problem finding where the productive spots are. And then just watch the guys that are catching fish and mimic what they do. I went last year for the first time, drove into Castle Rock and found a spot along the river just south of town. No less than 100 other people there. The fish were right on the bottom - took a little time to figure out how far from the bank, depth, etc., but with a little trial and error we got the spot dialed in and started filling buckets. Dragging the net through the water over and over can be a workout, so it's nice to have someone to trade off with - one guy mans the net, the other empties the net into the bucket.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Encore 280 on January 23, 2016, 03:32:37 PM: Might be able to find something about it on YouTube. :dunno:
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Jason on January 23, 2016, 04:20:22 PM: It's very easy to do, I learned by just getting there and watching others and it didn't take long to figure it out, that is after I got over the shock :yike: of how many people that where there :chuckle: Combat Smelt Dipping at it finest!!

Attached are a couple pictures of my boys dipping for smelt and dumping them in the bucket, as stated earlier it works great with two or more people, because the lower back and forearms will be on fire :chuckle:

And the very last pic is of the least populated beach we could find on our way out.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Encore 280 on January 23, 2016, 04:26:11 PM: If you don't feel like dipping then just find a WDFW truck, they'll have buckets of confiscated smelt in the back of their trucks that they may be willing to give up since they don't want to waste 'em all.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Deliverance1985 on January 23, 2016, 07:02:43 PM: ok i spent a lot of time this year researching elk and dear. and now that I got that out the way , besides tracking and keeping tabs on them their isn't much todo. I opted out of razor clam this year, however I did see a video where they used salt. I'm not big on fishing, but squid sounds awesome, just all the places are a drive from lacey wa, and smelt. well this is new to me, and looks interesting. couldn't downloand the fishing reg so ill go to the adventure center on jblm and get one. any tips or whatnot. would be awesome, I have a week of leave in feb coming up, and if I don't do anything else ill at least go hike the enchanted forest valley, but id rather be fishing or hunting. lol
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: bigtex on January 23, 2016, 07:17:41 PM: According to the bios it's a big maybe if there will be a season this year.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Encore 280 on January 23, 2016, 07:24:12 PM: Ugh, not good. Usually they look for the "scout" run then the main run will show up later on. I hope there's a season again this year.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Lost in the mountains on January 23, 2016, 09:11:36 PM: Anyone new and wanting to learn feel free to pm me and if i am in town if they decide to have a season i can show you around and how to do it. I have a net you would just need waders and a bucket.
We had a pilot run a month ago they ran for a bout a week and last i talked to the biologist about 2 weeks ago they weren't counting on having a season this year but they dont know for sure
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: WSU on January 24, 2016, 08:53:32 AM: Quote from: Encore 280 on January 23, 2016, 04:26:11 PM
If you don't feel like dipping then just find a WDFW truck, they'll have buckets of confiscated smelt in the back of their trucks that they may be willing to give up since they don't want to waste 'em all.

Last year I just asked a guy for a couple scoops. That was half a 5 gallon bucket.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: fishnfur on January 27, 2016, 11:46:25 PM: Here's some news: I travel the lower Columbia about three days a week this time of year. Wednesday, I saw about 15 or so seals around the Mill Creek area along with a bunch of gulls looking like they were chasing smelt. Today, the number of seals was well over a hundred in a 10 mile stretch. I'd say the early run is already happening. It will be interesting to see what the numbers look like in the Cow.

I also saw one boat out that appeared to be trolling for springers. Gotta love that guy's intensity!
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Bigshooter on January 28, 2016, 03:48:09 PM: Looks like it will be open February 6th.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: 2MANY on January 28, 2016, 04:07:34 PM: Smelt Chew?
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Jason on January 29, 2016, 04:33:21 PM: http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jan2816b
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: ICEMAN on January 29, 2016, 08:53:38 PM: I just might have to hit the river again. Last two years was great. Pan fried smelt, crisp around the edges with over easy eggs.....Yum!

January 28, 2016
Contact: WDFW Region 5 Office, (360) 696-6211

From wildlife: Smelt: As in the past two years, fishery managers approved a limited fishery for smelt on the Cowlitz River to help gather data on the species’ abundance. Recreational smelt dipping will be restricted to the hours of 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. The limit per person is 10 pounds – about one-quarter of a five-gallon bucket. Smelt dipping is not allowed from boats.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Utah on January 30, 2016, 07:21:57 PM: My dog loves them.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Lost in the mountains on February 01, 2016, 06:34:48 PM: Well smelt have been here for 2 weeks now they still arnt sure about a season but the Indians are doing so maybe they will decide to open it up for us. But for the time being the officers have stated there will be no season
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Jason on February 01, 2016, 06:52:46 PM: Quote from: Lost in the mountains on February 01, 2016, 06:34:48 PM
Well smelt have been here for 2 weeks now they still arnt sure about a season but the Indians are doing so maybe they will decide to open it up for us. But for the time being the officers have stated there will be no season
They already announced a one day season, about four posts up there is a link to WDFW website.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Lost in the mountains on February 01, 2016, 07:51:37 PM: Thanks i was just going by what the officers told us today. We were down dipping with my native friends and i asked him if they were going to give the non natives a season and thats what he told us. Guess he was wrong
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Jason on February 01, 2016, 08:00:15 PM: Here's an updated link.

https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1748
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: doyourtime89 on February 03, 2016, 12:19:59 PM: Just wondering if anyone has been down around the river and has any updates on if there are some smelt in there this year in the numbers that it has been the last couple years. I plan on being down there sometime Saturday just wondering if it is worth the drive from up here in the Seattle area. Thanks
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: nontypical176 on February 03, 2016, 12:55:41 PM: They were up in the Cowlitz yesterday but most were back out in the Columbia from what I could tell this morning. I'm sure there's a few poking around here and there. I have property at rocky point on the cowlitz. I'll be down there fighting off the crazies Saturday. Hopefully a big shot of them make a run up there by then. .

Mom says the Columbia is still full of birds and sea lions near the county line.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Bow tech hunter on February 05, 2016, 05:50:19 AM: Any reports before the dipping day
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: HntnFsh on February 05, 2016, 09:50:24 AM: Saw pics of smelt in the Cowlitz last night. Hopefully t by ey are there Saturday. But their pretty unpredictable.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: nontypical176 on February 05, 2016, 12:54:43 PM: They were in the Columbia by cathlamet yesterday but moved on this morning. The big run still hasn't pushed into the cowlitz but there are some smelt. Friends were watching hundreds of sea lions swim up the Columbia past Kalama yesterday so who knows where they show up next.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: WAPatriot on February 05, 2016, 01:21:15 PM: I've heard that they aren't to castle rock yet. Where you guys gonna dip gearheart garden. I think that's where I'm gonna try first.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: HntnFsh on February 05, 2016, 04:40:42 PM: Pretty good run at Castle Rock right now. Even got to watch a pair of eagles feeding on them.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: HntnFsh on February 05, 2016, 05:20:06 PM: Thick all the way down the river. Right against the bank!
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: nontypical176 on February 05, 2016, 05:29:08 PM: There are definently fish. I ran down to Gearhart and Rockypoint. Saw a few. Couple eagles at my house too...got some big cottonwoods they always using. I think dipping going to be tough. Doesn't look like net fulls anyhow and with the high water the bank is tricky so be careful. Going to be hard dipping at my place because of the high water and it will also limit space at Gearhart.

I'm thinking some fish are going to show up in the Lewis or Sandy any day. Buddy reported Sea Lions above the Kalama again today. Mom also said there was about 50 lions down by her place in Cathlamet this afternoon working the shore line. Good luck all. Be careful on them river banks.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: WAPatriot on February 05, 2016, 05:54:35 PM: So where is everyone dipping tomorrow I will report in one this thread tomorrow morning still trying to figure out where to start off tomorrow?
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Encore 280 on February 05, 2016, 08:06:32 PM: I think it's going to be a mad house no matter where ya go. I guess I'll try the steep banks on 411 where I got 'em last year. It's a few miles south of 4 corners.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: pd on February 05, 2016, 08:32:13 PM: Quote from: Encore 280 on February 05, 2016, 08:06:32 PM
I think it's going to be a mad house no matter where ya go. I guess I'll try the steep banks on 411 where I got 'em last year. It's a few miles south of 4 corners.

Slay 'em, buddy! (I would like to try some of the sea lion meat, too, if you get some. :o )
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: doyourtime89 on February 06, 2016, 08:13:16 AM: Smelt feast 2016....3 people one net....limited in 15 minutes at Riverside park
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: ICEMAN on February 06, 2016, 08:24:16 AM: Quote from: doyourtime89 on February 06, 2016, 08:13:16 AM
Smelt feast 2016....3 people one net....limited in 15 minutes at Riverside park

Pics or it didn't happen!
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Jason on February 06, 2016, 08:37:25 AM: We're on our way home already, 3 limits in 1/2hr. Post pics in a few.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: ICEMAN on February 06, 2016, 08:40:08 AM: Aaaaaarrrrrgggghhh, should have went.... :bash:
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Bow tech hunter on February 06, 2016, 08:43:50 AM: Mine and daughters buckets this morning
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on February 06, 2016, 08:51:47 AM: Good looking snacks!!! :tup:
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Bow tech hunter on February 06, 2016, 08:53:04 AM: Ya going to put some in smoker maybe get lucky they have another dip next saturday
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Bigshooter on February 06, 2016, 10:02:11 AM: 2 limits in 5 mins for my buddy and I today. Only took 12 dips total.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Jason on February 06, 2016, 10:07:30 AM: We were lucky and got the same honey hole as last year :IBCOOL: at 6:50am we were ready to go, 7:00am and the net was in the water :tup: filled the first limit in 3 dips in about 4min, started getting lighter out and the smelt starting going deeper, then we were netting them right on the bottom, 2 more limits took about 30min. We could have had five limits but didn't need them as we still have smelt in the freezer from last year. Lots of big males and few females.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: danderson on February 06, 2016, 11:20:52 AM: I wish I was closer to the smelt dipping action down there, I would be willing to trade someone out of a few pounds of them if there coming over to the cle elum area in the near future, pm me for details.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: nontypical176 on February 06, 2016, 12:19:21 PM: Dipping has been good. I hung out at my property to keep people from destroying stuff. I let them dip on my place just got to keep people from driving across my yard. Game warden showed up, I met him on my driveway coming down. "Told him people were down there having a good time and nobody was over the limit so I didn't need him on my property. He blew by me like I wasn't there said if people are dipping your property he can be there all he wants." Nobody was illegal, no tickets. I've got personal reasons for not liking the Washington wardens, have never got a wildlife infraction and was a little disappointed that he had full trespass rights if I be a nice guy and let people fish my property. Took his time leaving fully examining my personal truck on my private property. I like being the nice guy letting people use my place but that might change because I can't hardly stand to look at the Washington wardens after how they treated my family.

Anyhow..had people from Canada, Seattle, Eugene and even a guy from Montana stop by for some dipping. Kids everywhere....threw out a life jacket in case of emergency. Lots of Russians and Asians. It has been a good time. Seen a guy dip 8 limits with a swimming pool cleaner. Lmao
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: nontypical176 on February 06, 2016, 04:32:48 PM: DoYourTime I tried to message you. You need to empty your mailbox it's full. Sorry I couldn't call by phone. There were a lot more fish in the river than I suspected. No birds hardly or sea lions up there means there's a big slug of fish still sitting in the Columbia. Hopefully they give us another day. It was my first year at this property and wasn't sure what to expect. But next time they open it I will make it easier for anybody on here that's wants to stop by. I was able to control traffic enough to get friends in and out my driveway. and it's not like my place is that great but everyone limited out and surprisingly with 15 minutes to go only one person was still dipping.

There was a couple times I looked around my place and thought I was in a foreign country. 2 different groups of Samoans came down for dipping I didn't realize how much the fisheries ment to them. Both groups told other people to be respectful to the properties to keep access and fishing spots open. They chewed on an China man for chopping on my trees and they didn't even know it was my property. Them Samoans are big too, when they were telling the Asians and Russians to be respectful they all listened. A guy from Lithuania shows up in a business suit, his boy and a bucket. I dipped him the limit and he tried handing me $20. I denied the money told him fishing on my place is always free if you bring a kid with you. People had a good time and that's what it's all about. If they do another opener you guys are welcome to swing by my place if every where's else is packed.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: lokidog on February 06, 2016, 04:50:45 PM: Great offer, wish I was closer, maybe if they open it again....

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: shadowless_nite on February 06, 2016, 09:12:06 PM: Damn, I totally spaced this was going on!!! Didn't keep up with th fishing threads. I need to try and make it down there, I'm sure me and my wife and kids would have a blast. And my parents would greatly appreciate it. Reminds me of growing up in southern California and picking up grunion on the beach when they would spawn. Where can I find out the dates it's open to dip? This would be my first time trying to ever do this so any tips on a kid friendly location would be great. My 9yr old daughter has good footing but my 5yr old boy likes to get distracted lol.

Edit: just found the link in this thread, I guess today was the only day??? Am I wrong?? Will they maybe announce more dates?
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Jason on February 06, 2016, 09:24:53 PM: Quote from: shadowless_nite on February 06, 2016, 09:12:06 PM
Damn, I totally spaced this was going on!!! Didn't keep up with th fishing threads. I need to try and make it down there, I'm sure me and my wife and kids would have a blast. And my parents would greatly appreciate it. Reminds me of growing up in southern California and picking up grunion on the beach when they would spawn. Where can I find out the dates it's open to dip? This would be my first time trying to ever do this so any tips on a kid friendly location would be great. My 9yr old daughter has good footing but my 5yr old boy likes to get distracted lol.
Keep an eye on the home page of the WDFW website, they will announce if they open it again.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: shadowless_nite on February 06, 2016, 10:11:38 PM: Quote from: Jason on February 06, 2016, 09:24:53 PM
Quote from: shadowless_nite on February 06, 2016, 09:12:06 PM
Damn, I totally spaced this was going on!!! Didn't keep up with th fishing threads. I need to try and make it down there, I'm sure me and my wife and kids would have a blast. And my parents would greatly appreciate it. Reminds me of growing up in southern California and picking up grunion on the beach when they would spawn. Where can I find out the dates it's open to dip? This would be my first time trying to ever do this so any tips on a kid friendly location would be great. My 9yr old daughter has good footing but my 5yr old boy likes to get distracted lol.
Keep an eye on the home page of the WDFW website, they will announce if they open it again.

Man this is kinda up setting, mainly because I woke up early to drive 30min to the nearest lexus dealer to get some new keys programmed and water spots cleaned off our windshield for our new car we bought, they ended up scratching the crap out of my front windshield inside and out like they used a dirty rag. Then me and my wife went home and took a nap when we got home. All that drive time and time wasted. Then the windshield! And I could've been happy with a bucket full of smelt instead and now we may not be able to get the chance to try out smelt dipping!!! :bash:
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Utah on February 06, 2016, 10:15:04 PM: My dog loves smelt.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: The Gobble-stopper on February 07, 2016, 01:18:41 AM: Great morning on the river 7 for 7 limits this morning. Took about an hour to get them all dipped. So a little low. When we cleaned them about half the females and half the males had neither sperm or eggs yet. Never seen that before. I tend to think we caught the early part of the pilot run. Males were gigantic! I am expecting they will have another dip next weekend. And if they do, I am betting it will be limits in one dip.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: HntnFsh on February 08, 2016, 06:28:58 PM: Stopped by Castle Rock on the way home from a Dr. apt today. Even in the bright sun the smelt were swimming right along the bank. Not as thick as when I saw them last Friday evening. But pretty good with all being considered.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: doyourtime89 on February 09, 2016, 09:20:34 AM: Come on smelt, we need another day opened for dipping!!!!! I hoping they announce that they are going to open it again for this coming Saturday.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Encore 280 on February 09, 2016, 09:28:47 AM: Read on another forum that WDFW cited 200 individuals for over limits which came to 3500lbs! :yike:
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Bow tech hunter on February 10, 2016, 10:46:18 AM: Any word yet on another dip yet
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: doyourtime89 on February 10, 2016, 11:45:21 AM: Not that I have seen, but still hoping.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: nontypical176 on February 12, 2016, 02:11:55 PM: Paper just said probably no more dipping, but for the last 2 days the lower Cowlitz has been loaded, tons of birds and sea lions. There's a pod of sea lions in a circle clogging the mouth of the Coweeman. Mom saw hundreds more sea lions swim up past Cathlamet yesterday too.
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: birddogdad on February 12, 2016, 02:19:19 PM: 1/4 bucket is a tough sell for distance.. back in NY state the fingerlake run was a 5 gal pale per outing... now that makes a speed run from seattle worth the effort..
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: fishingfool on February 19, 2016, 04:05:40 PM: Hey, got my limit of smelt at Winco in Lewiston, fish fry tonight!!
Title: Re: 2016 smelt dipping
Post by: Encore 280 on February 19, 2016, 04:21:10 PM: 10lbs?! :yike: