Lewis - smelt

Perfect Drift · 02-02-2002, 03:07 PM

Tons of gulls and we saw quite a few smelt in the Lewis main stem.

Dr Strangelove · 02-02-2002, 06:13 PM

I saw a 20lb native rainbow buck steelhead repeatedly jumping out of the smelt baitballs in pure glee, more fish in mouth than could fit. Finally saw us about five feet away then decided to lay low. But the Lewis was again unkind to me...nothing on the line and the new Yamaha T8 I so wanted to break in today in the SUNLIGHT decided to fry a low idle circuit...back for waranty attention STAT, no backtrolling! Makes me wonder if I shoulda got the Honda...

Mrdorkfish · 02-02-2002, 08:13 PM

Mrdorkfish

Andy · 02-02-2002, 08:39 PM

Nice Outboard!!!

Bob Barthlow · 02-02-2002, 11:57 PM

Dr, merc 9.9 4 stroke.... [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] it. :grin:

Fin · 02-03-2002, 06:18 PM

Dipped a couple of limits this afternoon in the main just below the railroad bridge. Lots of smelt.

The sealions are at the mouth and up the river also. Huge and hungary.

BottomFeeder · 02-03-2002, 07:18 PM

Fin,

I'm not familiar with the Railroad bridge you reference in your reply. Could you give an idea of how to get to the general area you're talking about [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

Thanks,

TPM

DF · 02-03-2002, 08:06 PM

Fin,, are you talking about the lewis??
I thought the lewis was closed to dipping [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

dawhunt · 02-03-2002, 11:15 PM

I was told yesterday afternoon that there were something like 25 SEALS in the mouth of the Lewis
that must be why.
Bob

[ 02-03-2002, 12:15 PM: Message edited by: dawhunt ]

bait boy · 02-04-2002, 12:30 AM

Recorded Monday, January 28, 2002

Smelt Dipping

All Columbia River tributaries - Through March 31, 2002, open to fishing for smelt Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. In Washington, the smelt daily limit is 10 pounds per person and no license is required.

Smelt are still present in the Cowlitz River. Best catches were near the mouth and slowed progressing upstream last weekend. Catches were 0-10 fish per dip near Gearhart Park in Longview, Kelso 0-6 fish dip, Carnival 0-3 fish dip, and Lexington 0-1 fish dip. Catches are heavy to males.

Mainstem Columbia - Through March 31, 2002, open 7 days/week, 24 hours/day.

Fin · 02-04-2002, 05:55 AM

Theperchmaster;
The railroad bridge is about 2 miles up from the mouth of the Lewis. I approached it from the mouth in a boat, however you can also get there on the bank. The best way is through Woodland, accross the rr tracks and turn left toward the river....follow until you come to the dike at the Lewis. Park & Dip.

Have fun :smile:

BottomFeeder · 02-04-2002, 08:42 AM

Thanks for the info FIN!!

Brian

Hottamale1 · 02-04-2002, 04:44 PM

Hello,

You want SMELT?? The lewis is L.O.A.D.E.D. with'em. Fish there Sunday with Giz.....35+ Pounds in under an Hour.

Scott

DF · 02-04-2002, 06:04 PM

SUHWEET!
The lewis is about 30 seconds from our launch.. WEEEEEEE! SMELT! [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

Gizmo Man · 02-04-2002, 06:35 PM

Actually, Scott his son and I got about 30 pounds of smelt...the limit is 10# per person...

Was down on the lewis checking and ran into a commercial boat. I was told they get to go in Tues night starting at 6 pm. What's up with this...anyone know if the commercial dippers get a different dipping time then we do????? :shocked:

[img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img]

Pilar · 02-06-2002, 03:10 PM

I'm trying it tonight. Should make it to Woodland about 7 or so. Anyone else?

thinfin · 02-06-2002, 03:42 PM

After work tomorrow? She well be in till Monday them home on pro.

wobble-wacker · 02-06-2002, 06:10 PM

:whazzup: Stopped by the Lewis twice today looking for smelt. About 11AM - lots of seals at the mouth and gulls from the RR bridge to the mouth. Dip netters were going home with empty pails. About 5:30 - same story with the seals, gulls and dip netters. A few were being taken at the RR bridge. Not enough to keep me there. Talked to another and he was going to try just below the falls on the East side of Woodland after dark.

love2fish · 02-06-2002, 06:44 PM

We got about 30 pounds in an hour just below the forks at the boat ramp. We were only getting 1 or 2 at a time then it jumped to 2 or 3 pounds per dip. It seemed to stop as quick as it started. We got them all between 5:30 and 6:30

Steve

dogfishboy · 02-06-2002, 07:36 PM

There were an incredible number of sea lions at the mouth of the Lewis tonight...WOW :shocked: We spent a couple hours working different areas between the railroad bridge and the mouth. Dipping was slow and other boats were not picking up many either. Earlier in the afternoon a few limits were taken between the houseboat moorage and the railroad bridge. Could not believe the sea lions. We tried to count at one point and there was easily over 60 just between the ramp and the mouth. A lot of those suckers are HUGE this year...just huge.

I'm not surprised you were hearing them Dustin.

Would have gone with ya Pilar if I knew you were going.

[ 02-06-2002, 08:46 PM: Message edited by: dogfishboy ]

Pilar · 02-06-2002, 10:57 PM

Just back....

Got four limits under the Freeway bridge. Pretty strange deal ... None, none, 35, 3, none, 20 ...etc

All the netters were going upstream past the bridge.

Hey Dogfishboy, what are you doing Saturday?

How bout you Mr. Fisherman?

I got bait ...

Phil Layer · 02-07-2002, 07:20 AM

Does this mean the Cowlitz run is over?

Also, can a fella run a prop up the Lewis from the mouth this time of year? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] I'll be in a deep V Alumawled with outdrive.

Thanks for the help.

[ 02-07-2002, 08:34 AM: Message edited by: Moby ]

dogfishboy · 02-07-2002, 08:30 AM

Lets go John. Email me the where and when details :smile: