Smelt?

MasterCaster · 01-15-2002, 12:03 AM

Hows the Cowlits doing? Seems early for them to be showin yet but Ive been hearing good things for this early. Does anyone have any predictions for the Sandy? Think they will show again this year? That brings up another question. How long do smelt stay at sea? I have always thought it was just a year but have never had any confirmation of this? Do they die like salmon after they spawn or do some return to spawn again like steelhead? Geez started out just wondering how the run was going and it turned into a bunch of questions :smile: :grin: :smile: Jon

Sadie-Lynne · 01-15-2002, 06:38 AM

I have a friend that I work with that got his limit yesterday. He says that were he dips the water was still flowing fast(bent his net).

MasterCaster · 01-16-2002, 01:29 AM

just bringing it back to the top for another go!
Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

bait boy · 01-16-2002, 06:09 AM

I'll give an update when I get back...

Anyone that wants to go today maybe we could do lunch or a shoreside chat. gimme a call 3607988560

[ 01-16-2002: Message edited by: bait boy ]</p>

Cutter · 01-16-2002, 06:15 AM

I'm thinking of taking my girls up to Longview after school today. An update would be great before we make the drive.

bait boy · 01-16-2002, 01:04 PM

Yes there are enough smelt to warrant a trip if you're low on bait or are hungry for them. Watch where others are pulling in more than onesy-twosy, and follow their lead. most folks are up at carnival market and are working hard but they are coming.

Good luck

Lured In · 01-16-2002, 02:16 PM

That report is enough for me. Had to go get a new smelt net from Joe's($29). Last year I waited too long and everbody was sold out. Time to grab the family and the 5 gallon bucket and let the kids go to work while Mom and I relax on the beach sippin' Mai Tai's. :smile:

Grits · 01-16-2002, 04:49 PM

Where is the carnival market?

Cutter · 01-16-2002, 07:01 PM

Ok just got back, I had a limit in about 30 minutes. Then I drove up the way a bit to a parking area that was not as steep and let my nine year have a try at her first dipping experience. She did great, I was surprised since she was only able to hold the net out a few feet in the water :shocked: . But it was enough to just cover the net. She actually had 2 nets with around 10 smelt in it. She was so excited she did not want to quit, but since her younger sister, 2, was also with us we had to quit at about a half a limit for her. I'm not sure if I will be taking the littler one again, too much pressure, everytime the net came up empty she was clearly disappointed and let us know about it :whazzup:

:whazzup: . But man when there was something in that next she knew just where it went and got just as excited with the fish as her older sister :grin: :grin: . I love it when the kids get excited about fishing. Makes me smile :smile: . All in all it was a great day.

Big TULE · 01-16-2002, 10:12 PM

THE SMELT ARE HERE... They are not very big though, last year and the year before they were about 6 to 8 inches long this year out of the 10 or so Lbs we got i would have to say there were less than 20 of them over 4 inches long, but we limited out in 20 minutes...

wooldridge · 01-17-2002, 09:34 AM

First I want to say, this is a great site! I just found it. About the smelt, I have not been since I was a liitle guy with my folks and do not remember where we went on the Cowlitz. Could anyone give directions from I5, I will be coming from Centralia.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

Pitch Pocket · 01-17-2002, 09:56 AM

When the limit was 25 lbs a few years back, it was just about a full 5 gallon bucket (or so I gathered). Does anyone have a new rule of thumb about the volume of 10 lbs of the little critters?

wooldridge · 01-17-2002, 12:28 PM

Cutter, Thanks

When I do go - maybe tommorrow after school, I will bring both my sons 2 1/2 and 6 1/2 they will love it.
Thanks again for the info

Jeff

Pilar · 01-17-2002, 12:32 PM

Is it still limited to Wed, Sat and Sun?

finclipped · 01-17-2002, 01:15 PM

Yes-Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. 6:00 AM to 10:00PM, don't go tommorow.

Cutter · 01-17-2002, 11:35 PM

Wooldridge: Welcome to the board. As for smelt dipping take the Kelso exit for Threerivers mall, and head west, turn right after you cross over the bridge over the Cowlitz. Any where along that stretch is pretty good. You will see others parked along side of the road.

SJP: I was told around 1/4 of a five gallon bucket. This may not be exact but it's pretty close.