Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: Winchester670 on February 02, 2010, 07:35:45 PM

Title: Smelting
Post by: Winchester670 on February 02, 2010, 07:35:45 PM: Hey guys :hello: 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 :)
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Aneoakleaf on February 02, 2010, 07:42:20 PM: There's wal to wall seals in the kelso part of the river right now >:(
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: shoot-em-dead on February 02, 2010, 08:01:03 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Winchester670 on February 02, 2010, 08:10:39 PM: Awesome I got my net no kids though :P looks like were gonna make a family outing of it should be a blast
Cool found out seasons
Anyone hear if there running good
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: gasman on February 02, 2010, 08:27:27 PM: 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 :bash: Mom would freeze 3lb buckets of smelt to pull out of the freezer when needed and dad would always smoke up a buch to. :EAT:
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Blacklab on February 03, 2010, 05:41:29 AM: Oh yeah smoked smelt :drool:
Remember when I was a kid hitting the sandy & cowlitz river. One dip would be one persons limit.
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: fishcrazy on February 03, 2010, 10:36:38 AM: http://www.bobsmerch.com/index.htm (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
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Antlershed on February 03, 2010, 12:15:27 PM: I know they were in about a week ago. The commies were netting the Big River and took 2000 pounds. >:(
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: MuleySniper on February 03, 2010, 12:33:27 PM: 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
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Winchester670 on February 03, 2010, 04:07:19 PM: Thanks fish I'll keep an eye out for the updates
Ha I keep hearing about this smoked smelt cant wait to try it :drool:
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: shoot-em-dead on February 03, 2010, 04:23:09 PM: Quote from: Winchester670 on February 03, 2010, 04:07:19 PM
Thanks fish I'll keep an eye out for the updates
Ha I keep hearing about this smoked smelt cant wait to try it :drool:
:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

The ONLY thing they are good for is sturgeon bait
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: cohoho on February 03, 2010, 05:52:21 PM: Quote from: shoot-em-dead on February 03, 2010, 04:23:09 PM
Quote from: Winchester670 on February 03, 2010, 04:07:19 PM
Thanks fish I'll keep an eye out for the updates
Ha I keep hearing about this smoked smelt cant wait to try it :drool:
:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

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...
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Blacklab on February 04, 2010, 11:45:47 AM: Quote from: shoot-em-dead on February 03, 2010, 04:23:09 PM
Quote from: Winchester670 on February 03, 2010, 04:07:19 PM
Thanks fish I'll keep an eye out for the updates
Ha I keep hearing about this smoked smelt cant wait to try it :drool:
:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

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
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Happy Gilmore on February 04, 2010, 01:06:53 PM: 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
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: fishcrazy on February 04, 2010, 04:21:54 PM: I'm with you Cohoho!!

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

Kris
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 05, 2010, 11:47:27 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: huntnphool on February 06, 2010, 12:54:23 AM: If anyone wants to sell some I'm looking to pick up a few pounds.
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Hangfire on February 06, 2010, 06:07:14 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 06, 2010, 09:46:52 AM: 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 ?
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: huntnphool on February 06, 2010, 01:58:41 PM: Quote
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. ;)
Title: Re: Smelting
Post by: kbyers on February 08, 2010, 11:06:19 AM: Quote from: Hangfire on February 06, 2010, 06:07:14 AM
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 ;)