Smelt update

AuntyM · 03-07-2004, 02:21 PM

I got an email from Dan and he said he just got back from Gearhart Gardens and a father and son got a limit in 1/2 hour. The birds are circling and the smelt are moving up.

Go get em!

hookumhi · 03-07-2004, 03:13 PM

where's gearhart gardens?

AuntyM · 03-07-2004, 03:33 PM

I have no idea. I can't ask either, since he was on his way to scoop some up also.

Chromaflage · 03-07-2004, 03:36 PM

Gearhart Gardens is located off Tennant Way, WA Hwy 432 at Longview, WA.

Shad & Crab · 03-07-2004, 03:54 PM

Any other confirmations about the smelt out there???

love2fish · 03-07-2004, 04:31 PM

I just talked to Dan a couple of minutes ago, and he's headed back up there with his net and bucket. He sounded pretty sure that he would get some. He said he would post an update when he gets back.

love2fish

TonTo · 03-07-2004, 04:33 PM

Just got back from gearhart's myself....heard about the limit but unfortunately they're gone right now.Seems it was a smal school that has moved up river.There was a guy there that had a few dozen in a bucket,they were all small(tiny)females,I put on my waders and tryed for a while no luck.I tryed to catch up with the gulls that were following the school,but they were all behind the condos across from the golf course so I couldn't get in there to try my luck,but a few sealions seemed to be having a good time there.Hopefully more will move in with the tide soon I'm keeping my fingers crossed,and after dark I will try to catch back up with this small school,I need some smelt in a bad way.The comercial guys seem to be gearing up for something<they have been putting their boats back out,and at the fish market by Carnival Market store they were off loading totes from a truck,so it looks like something may be about to happen.But for right now it's still realy slow,maybe in a few days it will pick up.

Conspiracy Theory · 03-07-2004, 05:36 PM

I can try to confirm there are a few smelt in the Cowlitz.

I was at Gerhart Gardens at approx. 4:30pm today(03/07/2004). Talked with a person that was dipping there. He said he had 1/3 of a bucket. He said the smelt were pretty good about 1/2 hour ago but they disappeared. He was also told by a boater? that they are supposed to be really thick at the railroad trestle. (just down river from Gerhart Gardens).

I went up river to Longview and happened upon Depoebay Dan. He was checking it out also. Nice to meet you and hope to see you again.

We saw someone dipping near the Train Station in Kelso but we didn't see any fish.

I went to Rocky Point and didn't see any dippers. At Carnival Market there were 3 (looked like) commercial boats that appeared to be going out to dip.

Ok here is my disclaimer. I did not see the bucket that was supposed to be 1/3 full of smelt. And the info about being really thick at the bridge trestle down from Gerhart Gardens was at least third hand info.

There were gulls around and they were diving into the river. I didn't see any smelt in their beaks and I didn't see any seals.

Sorry I can't be more positive.

As I was typing this, slow typer, I see that TonTo also posted. Looks like TonTo and I saw the same things.

Hey Tonto, What were you driving? I was in a red and white Chevy 4x4.

Fshklr · 03-07-2004, 05:37 PM

the commercials get sunday from 6pm to friday 6am..They are getting ready to hit it this eve.

Just got a call that the boats are dipping and getting smelt..I'm sure Dano will give a better report soon. :grin:

Silver Hilton · 03-07-2004, 05:47 PM

I don't know about the dipping, but the springer we got today was stuffed with smelt. It was upstream from the Cowlitz a ways.

sturgeon1 · 03-07-2004, 07:10 PM

THEY are here

love2fish · 03-07-2004, 07:34 PM

Just talked to Dan again. He said he got his limit in about 30 minutes up at Rocky Point. He tried at Gearhart Gardens and the Carnival Market and only got a couple, so he moved up river. Sounds like there moving through pretty fast. Hopefully there will be more on the way.

love2fish

Fish'n'Chips · 03-07-2004, 08:46 PM

I was at carnival market dipping from 5:15 to 6:30 and got about 100. pretty slow 1's and 2's but it is a good sign maybe mon. or tues.

TonTo · 03-07-2004, 10:58 PM

I dipped GearHart's tonight got a half bucket from 9:00-10:00pm they are small and far between but they're out there and hopefully more on the way.A comercial boat pulled in while I was dipping and they said they should of stayed home but they did get 200lbs.

Slugranch · 03-08-2004, 05:10 AM

Drove up to Longview yesterday on the Washington side, and never saw any signs of smelt in the Grays, spotted 2 vehicles sturgeon fishing at Mill Creek and saw three dippers on the Cowlitz when we crossed the river at Kelso. Doesn't look lightning fast yet,,,,,,,,,

wannacatchem · 03-08-2004, 06:34 AM

I got a two hour window to dip this morning that ends at 1030. Anybody have a morning up date?

SKP · 03-08-2004, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the update!

SKP

AuntyM · 03-08-2004, 08:42 AM

Just got a call. Dan ran into wannacatchem around the Longview-Kelso bridge. Looks like he has had some pretty good dips with 12-18. Didn't say what size but the birds are going nuts.

brshooter · 03-08-2004, 08:57 AM

Has anyone checked or heard reports on the Lewis? Just curious.

Fish Hawg · 03-08-2004, 08:59 AM

I live On the lewis and I dont see any Birds