Dipping Dilema

FishFreak · 01-05-2004, 03:21 PM

I know it's getting closer... FM and GI Joes have their smelt nets on display.... all I need now is some specific guidance....
I keep hearing about the Cowlitz... aren't there good opportunities closer to Portland? How do you know when they arrive (other than watching ifish)
Lastly... other than purchasing the net...I have no idea how to do this... please share some of that good ol' Ifish info with me... Thanks

wannacatchem · 01-05-2004, 03:33 PM

Last year the was a big headline and picture on the front page of the Oregonian. I drove by the Sandy on I-84 one day and there was at least 500 people in the water at that little park right there. I didn't try it last year, but will this year. as far as technique, I would imagine you sweep a smelt net through the water, from what I've been told, when the schools come by they're so thick you can almost walk on them

Chromaflage · 01-05-2004, 03:39 PM

FF - once they start running, just go down and watch for a bit. Put net in water, upstream from where your standing, sweep downstream, pull net straight back to close the net. Location, location, location and depth - your only 4 varibales. :grin: If you're gettin' 'em, you'll feel 'em.

FishingNewbie · 01-05-2004, 07:15 PM

o.k. it's time for that dumb fishing girl to ask a question. in oregon, do people dip for smelt to eat them or to use them as bait? i'm originally from michigan, and we ate those puppies dredged in flour and deep fried. i never see them anywhere as a menu item, and you can get them everywhere there.

Small Fry · 01-05-2004, 07:33 PM

Newbie (DONT EAT THE BAIT) The only time I have eaten good smelt was fresh out of the surf. Most of the folks on this board use them for Gator/ Sturegon bait.

DownTime · 01-05-2004, 08:28 PM

FF Bring some neoprene gloves(that water is cold)a 5 gallon bucket to put them in,and a partner is nice to empty the net.

JB

Chromaflage · 01-05-2004, 08:37 PM

Eat smelt? [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] Gator bate and trading stock

TonTo · 01-05-2004, 11:54 PM

Oh yeah a few of us smelt purists eat em still, fried to a golden brown umm ...umm I use to eat them quite a bit when I was growing up they were a regular meal in my home with a big pot of navy beans and some cornbread.Any more once a year I have a big smelt fry and then it's over untill next year,just kinda get my fill of grease,takes about a year to get that craving again.Ocasionly I'll run a few through the smoker,gutted and beheaded of corse,but useualy never finish eating the whole batch.I used to smoke em every year for an old man I knew ,he past on about 5 years ago,he only wanted the fat females whole and uncleaned,so I'ld ablige him and smoke up about twelve dozen of them tasty roe filled treats,I could't bring my self to try it though.

glassblower · 01-06-2004, 01:59 AM

Off with their heads, and out with their guts, couple of 5 gal buckets of them babys in the smoker is a treat..... My father and I used to go get em every year, now it's time to take my son.

PayDay · 01-06-2004, 10:13 AM

I have a bunch in the freezer from last year if you want to try 'em... Never did much sturgeon fishing and I need to make room for shad

The Lewis River in Woodland is a short drive from Portland and access is easy. Look at the archives from 2003 and you'll find a bunch of info, including a recipe for fried smelt that ends with
"Put the smelt in the trash and order a pizza". :grin:

Wingman · 01-06-2004, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FishingNewbie:
o.k. it's time for that dumb fishing girl to ask a question. in oregon, do people dip for smelt to eat them or to use them as bait? i'm originally from michigan, and we ate those puppies dredged in flour and deep fried. i never see them anywhere as a menu item, and you can get them everywhere there.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">When I dip, I have to split the catch with my wife. She likes to fry em and eat em. I just package em for bait.

CATCH AND EAT · 01-06-2004, 12:27 PM

BrShooter can tell you how bait tastes. :tongue: [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] :grin:

Chromaflage · 01-06-2004, 12:29 PM

I'll trade smelt for shad...don't eat neither though.

[img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Fast Water · 01-06-2004, 12:33 PM

We will have one or two Smelt dinners during the season. :grin: The rest are for bait.

FishingNewbie - Sounds like you already know that if cooked properly, Smelt make a great meal.

:smile:

EAT THE BAIT!!

PayDay · 01-06-2004, 01:53 PM

Fishingfirst,
I have about 20 lbs frozen smelt from last year. I just packaged them in ziplocs and tossed them in the freezer. If you want 'em maybe we can meet up sometime. I'm out of crab bait and could use some shad this spring. Thanks,
Cliff

surejam · 01-06-2004, 03:58 PM

Every year I get someone that wants some of my fresh smelt to fry up

.
I may just have to try it one of these times. The only thing is, it still looks like bait to me ! It would be like frying up some nightcrawlers while trout fishing [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] .
We'll have to see.

Surejam

Grits · 01-06-2004, 04:37 PM

Fishfreak- They have run the past few years in the Sandy but hadn't been in for many years prior to that so they may or may not come in to the Sandy. If they do you just head for the Sandy in Troutdale and follow the crowds.

Kelso isn't to bad of a drive from Portland just take a big group with you to make it worth it.

The best advice is to watch other people and bring bino's to look up and down the river for hot spots. Last year I was getting one per dip until I noticed that people across the river were coming and going in less than 10 minutes. Moved across the river and was done in 2 dips per person. Went back the next day and they were on the other side of the river.

Smelt are excellent fair for all of you who got new smokers for Christmas. Smokers definetely get better with use and their is no other fish you can come by in such mass quantities so cheaply so it is great for breaking in a smoker.

TonTo · 01-06-2004, 06:58 PM

Well being a native Longviewian I grew up dippin em.When they get here going good I'm sure you'll hear about it,it has always amazed me how far some people travel just too dip the little silver fish most of us take for granted.I've met folks that have traveled all the way from spokane or Idaho just to dip smelt.When I start seeing em show if it isn't alredy common knowledge.I'll let ya all know about it

And if ya need some help with technique or just want some hot spots shoot me a PM and I'll help ya out.

fishingfirst · 01-06-2004, 11:07 PM

Adiboy,

I'll trade you! I have a freezer full of shad, need to make room for smelt! I filled the freezer with shad for crab bait then I didn't go crabbing. Let me know if you need the shad, I'm sure we could work out a trade.

Scott

fishingfirst · 01-08-2004, 03:44 PM

Adiboy,
Forgot all about this topic! Anyway, my brother-in-law lives in Canby, next time I head that way, I'll bring the shad over. I am usually over that way every couple of weeks. I'll send you an e-mail to set up a time.
Thanks,
Scott

[ 01-08-2004, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: fishingfirst ]

Icelander · 01-08-2004, 04:11 PM

Smoked smelt HEADS TAILS and ALL. If they are smoked right they are a treat. I love to smoke at least one batch every year and can hardly keep my friends out of the refrigerator when they find out they are in there. A cold beer and a good friend to share them with you is a dream come true.
Later Lyle

dampainter · 01-08-2004, 05:48 PM

fishfreak, ifish is the place to be to find out when the runs are in thick, you`ll hear it here before it hits the papers....as for dipping? get the longest sturdiest smelt net you can find than head to wherever and watch for a hot spot, once whoever is there has a limit they move out you move in...it`s very easy, put that net in as far upstream as you can reach and drag with the current...on the bottom. with each pass you should get at least a couple smelt. they are great eats as well as bait, I gut em and take a single edge razor and butterfly(they don`t turn out mushy) them to the tail, heads are tossed too. then I use "goldendipt" english style fish n chips batter and deep fry...YUM!!!...post below reminded me, definately get yourself some hip boots or even better is using waders.

[ 01-09-2004, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: dampainter ]

BigBeanCounter · 01-08-2004, 11:32 PM

Anybody know a good spot to dip, esp on the sandy, where you don't need hip boots or waders ?

PayDay · 01-22-2004, 10:01 AM

Scott,
Sorry I haven't been able to answer your email. Sent you a pm.

Sportfish.com · 01-22-2004, 02:50 PM

I did smelt on the cowlitz last year and was snubed last year. I caught the Sandy though and in two hours the 1st night had 3 buckets between 4 of us. Have to be there at the right time usually 1-2 weeks after the run begins on Cowlitz.

chummer · 01-23-2004, 08:22 AM

For people wanting specific where tos and how tos, you might go to the archives from last year around febuary. There was a ton a threads on the lewis and the cowlitz and the sandy. Guys are pretty good about posting right away when the fish hit, I'm sure it will be the same again this year.