View Full Version : Smelt on the Cowlitz
MetalHead
03-07-2001, 10:17 AM
Went dipping on the Cowlitz this morning. Got to the river about 8:15 back on the Freeway coming home by 8:30 with 4 limits. I was dipping down stream of the Allen Street bridge about half way between the bridge and the point. In the shaddow of the bridge the smelt were about 2 feet off the bank and in the sunlight they were about 8 feet off the bank.
Jeremy
03-07-2001, 10:23 AM
4 limits??? How did you manage that one?
ChuckDog
03-07-2001, 04:18 PM
I thought the Cowlitz was only open on Saturdays for smelt...???
bait boy
03-07-2001, 04:25 PM
Hey Chuck Dog they opened it up sat sun wed
as of monday or tuesday the hours rule stays 0600-1000
ChuckDog
03-07-2001, 04:34 PM
A friend of mine went up last Saturday and said a large percentage of them were small and spawned out. Mushy if fried, but decent smoked. Have you guys found the same thing with the smelt you've been getting?
In that condition do you just use the females for bait and males for frying/smoking?
OR Coast Range
03-07-2001, 04:42 PM
I only tried smoking them once. They tasted all right, but they were awful boney. These little guys are just always going to be bait in my mind http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Jeremy
03-07-2001, 05:35 PM
Just got back. One dip= One limit and then some, the WDFW guys there are being real generous though as far as 10lbs per person, lots of people but it only takes about a minute per person to get a limit. Lots of big males, all firm, dont think any were spawned out. Wednesday is the day to go dont let the word get out, im sure that place will be packed this weekend. Also the tide was out if that makes a difference
MetalHead
03-08-2001, 12:15 AM
4 guys
Pilar
03-08-2001, 10:33 AM
Went to Carnival market last night with a van-load-a dippers (6). We bagged 60lbs in about 10 minutes. Maybe we'll even get to eat a few this year. They are right against the bank off the rocky point right below the market. The water is black with em, even in the daylight. Males and females and in good shape. The other good spot is in the daylight under either bridge right in Kelso. The are bunched up in the shade under the bridges. The water is low!
Well, now to clean out the freezer and replace the crappy freezer burned bait with the fresh vacuum packed good stuff. FISH ON!!!!!!!!
The bend is your friend!