Smelt on the Cow 2/7/04

[WaterDog]

Dipped 3 limits in about an hour. Biggest dip was maybe 20 in the net. Not spectacular but not bad. We had quite a few females. All vac packed and in the freezer. Kept a few to out eat :grin: and a couple of pounds for tomorrows sturgie adventure.

[CATCH AND EAT]

We did well last night Rich. Five limits in 1hour 15 minutes. Had the area to ourselves. However, I intend to feed them to the sturgeon and not myself. Just say no to eating bait. :grin:

[Bait O' Eggs]

I dipped last night and cleaned a gallon bag for grandma since she likes to eat them. Not a female in the bunch

I had 20lbs in 5 dips, Then my boy did the same thing. :smile: We were defineatly in a good spot :grin:

Smelt lumpia!

[CATCH AND EAT]

Thing that sucked was bagging them up. Got home at 10pm and was up till 11:45pm putting in the freezer. Still, 100lbs put away for sturgeon should be plenty for this year. Won't dip again unless they come into the Sandy.

Did notice the fish were much smaller this year. Only had a few that were large. Lots of females in my buckets though.

And we all know what follows smelt up the river. Springers!!!!!!!!!!

******, can you say BAMMMM!!!!! :grin:

[WaterDog]

Well the wife likes to eat a few fresh and I kindly partake in a couple because "Smelt! It's what's for dinner."

Bernie, I remember getting to bed at around 2am a couple of years ago because Roy made me go during a school night. That is why we left plenty early this morning and was done by the time the masses showed up. I think it's better to go at dusk but it's about a hour and a half drive one way from home. :depressed:

MMmmmmm..........Lumpia!

[CATCH AND EAT]

Ya Roy is a corruptor for sure. But honestly, you eat them? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

[Dave Vedder]

They are one of my favorites. Bread them in a mix of pancake flour and corn meal, cook in HOT oil till brown and crisp. Grab the tail and pull out the backbone in one piece. Delicious!!!

Great smoked too.

[WaterDog]

I'm man enough to admit it. Yes, I eat sturgeon bait. :blush:

[smokerchick]

dipped tonight at Kelso on west side. Two limits in an hour. Moon was fantastic. Right next to the bank and no waders needed.

[fishingfirst]

Waterdog has to eat the bait, because he can't catch any real fish! :shocked:

Just kidding!

Nice meeting you at the ramp last weekend, I didn't realize until you left that you were the "ALL FAMOUS WATERDOG". I had about six Ifishers in about five minutes, and my brain just couldn't process that fast.

Hope to see you all out there again soon.

Scott

[Beefcake]

My back is sore! I pulled 20 minute limits the last 3 days. Many spots aren't hitting, but just move til you find them. A friend went tonight, and he said they were right by the shore (everyone else was wading out to dip and getting skunked; he kept his feet dry and pulled a limit in 5 minutes). Remember, they swim closer to shore after the sun goes down.

Also, for those without nets, you can make your own out of a trout net. I had 3 people go with me this morning, so I had to come up with a second net. I didn't want to spend another $30 on something I only need once a year. I bought replacement smelt netting for about $4 and strung in onto my trout net. Then I found a long piece of PVC that was just the right size for my trout net handle to slide into, and put a screw through the PVC and net handle to secure it. The homemade net was a little heavier and more flexible, and it had a smaller hoop than my fancy store-bought net, but it worked great. Us old guys got our limits with the homemade rig in half the time the two teenagers got theirs with the "real" smelt net! This once again proves that old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill. :smile: :tongue:

[ 02-07-2004, 11:21 PM: Message edited by: Beefcake ]