Cowlitz Smelt Update Tuesday - There Here!!!

[Born to be Wild]

Met up with Wannacatchem and Fish-On2 at the Longview-Kelso bridge and we are hammering them.
I told Fish-on2 to meet me there and we woulg go look up river but we didn't need to go any further.

In the last half hour wannacatchem got a bucket and I only 1/3 of a bucket.
Paul (wannacatchem) was in the hole and putting a hurt on them.
I didn't really need any more so I gave fish-on my spot and Paul gave them the hot hole and decided to go down stream a bit and let the other ifisher's get 'em.
Pretty cool of Paul to give up a hot hole to let the other ifisher's smoke 'em.

I'm going back to get my other 1/3 bucket.
Fish-On2 already filled a bucket in the spot that Paul relinquished before I got out of there.
I just needed to come back and change the update as the smelting really picked up.

Tons of birds at gearhart and a sea lion or two but no smelt or at least any that were biting. :grin:

Should be good tonight and maybe this afternoon at least from Carnival Market up if not below.

Gotta go and will update after I get my limit and show Fish-on some other hot spots for future reference.

Dano

[ 03-09-2004, 10:16 AM: Message edited by: Born to be Wild ]

[Born to be Wild]

Wished I had your phone#'s Sore Back and GBS and I'd call you to get an update.

If you see this new report you can call me @ (360) 560-0201

I gotta get.
Feel free to call, that's what Fish-On did.

Dano

[SKP]

Ifishers,

I've never been smelting, but plan on heading up that way after work from Wilsonville around 4:30.

I will need an updated report around 3-4 PM.

Call me if you have the latest report at that time, I don't want to waste the time and gas, as I have to go back home to Salem afterwords, and I don't know what the heck I'm doing.

503-510-1017

SKP
Steve Preston

[SKP]

A couple of newbee smelt questions :blush: :

1. How much of a 5 gallon bucket is a limit? 2. How many pounds is a limit?
3. Do you need a WA fishing license?

I'm at work, and can't take the time to surf right now. I looked on the WA Fish and Wildlife site, but can't find it quickly, so I'm sure there is an ifisher that knows.

Thanks,
SKP

[ 03-09-2004, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: SKP ]

[Chrome Bumper]

A full bucket is like 45#, each fisher needs his own container, open 6AM-10PM(I think), no license required. Some time rules change mid season so be careful.

[ 03-09-2004, 10:55 AM: Message edited by: Chrome Bumper ]

[wannacatchem]

I called Dano this morning at 0730 and he told me the bite was off. Said he didn;t see much action from several dippers and from what he got. My wifey was hankering to go, so what the heck, how better a way to waste a morning than on a river?

Met Dan just as we arrived at "our" spot, just above the Allen St. bridge in Longview. The wife grabbed the net and immediately started putting on a smelting clinic. Dan was dipping about 6 feet below her and would get 2 smelt every other dip. The wifes net came up empty maybe twice. She had several 1-2 dips, but most were in the 10-25 range. I took the net from her and got maybe three in 5 dips. Gave her the net back and she finished filling the bucket in 20 minutes.
Great morning on the river, nice seeing Dan again and meeting Fish on 2 and his friend. I don't think we'll dip anymore...100lbs should last a while.

Uh...Chrome Bumper? A limit is 20 lbs, about 2/3 of a five gallon bucket. In Oregon its 25 lbs, about 3/4 of a bucket...thats from the regs of both states. And you can share a bucket and net, just have to dip your own. Don't need a license in either state

[ 03-09-2004, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: wannacatchem ]

[SKP]

Any more updates?

SKP

[ 03-09-2004, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: SKP ]

[jokester]

Longview Smelters:

Gonna try my go at it tomorrow morning. Would I be better off starting near the Allen Street Bridge or going up/down river?

Also, does anyone have any reports of smelt in the Lewis yet??

-jokester

[wannacatchem]

All 5 1/2 limits I've gotten have been just upstream from the Allen St. bridge.

[Born to be Wild]

Been getting quite a few calls from ifisher's so I decided to drive up the river aways to see what might or might not be happening.

Fortunately I didn't have to go far because i have orders to get ready for my coastal trip tomorrow.

Pulled over at the same spot me, wannacatchem and fish-on2 got them this morning and they were still getting them at 2:00PM.
That spot is only 100-200 yards above the Longvies-Kelso bridges.
Right before you hit the first and only traffic light on Westside hwy.

No guarantees but would expect it to be good tonight and if not in the lower river head up to Rocky Point or Lexington.
I suspect Lexington to be hot again tonight.
Last night it was 10 minute limits there as soo as it got dark.

The Lexington spot I refered to is just aways past (north) Riverside Park when the highway meets up with the dike (I'm guessing a mile or so).
There is limited parking there on both sides of the road and up along the dike.
If you get to a street on the left hand side and see a sign that says New Song Church", you just passed it up.

Got to get busy.

Dano

[Time Off]

Just got back with a limit just below Charlie's. It took about 45 minutes though.
:shocked:
Dips 0-15 per. They are running deeper so it is more work at the end of the handle.

Worth the trip though! Also almost all males so the main run is still not here.

[jokester]

Thanks guys! Sounds like i'll start at Allen Street Bridge and go from there! I'll try and post a report when I get back tomorrow.

-jokester

[KingFisher85]

jokester
If I get out tomorrow I'll be on the lewis...if I see any birds or smelt look for a post :grin:

[Born to be Wild]

Lured-in just phoned and he got his limit at the zipper Allen St bridge hole. :grin:

[Lured In]

BTBW...too cool. Thanks for the report and easy directions! :grin:

Took about 30 minutes to get my limit. Others next to me were doing a bit better by wearing waders and getting wet. There were certainly some spurts of fish, some lasting only a minute or two others going for closer to five minutes. Seemed like 5-10 per dip was an average with several dips pulling 20-30 when the little buggers were thickest.

Dano...just remember there is an open seat for Springers waiting for you when you want it. Thanks again.

[SKP]

Lured in or Dan,

Can you give me directions? I'm leaving in a few minutes.

SKP

[Fish Hawg]

As of right know the Lewis is Smeltless and Birdless. :depressed: (Except for the 5 or 6 locals).....Ross

[AnchorManagement]

Hey everyone, I gotta tell you that Born to be wild treated me & my fishing buddy like royalty today, it really was great! He guided me right in to the hot spot, We got to meet wannaketchum & his wife, We also got to see Wannaketchums wife show us boys how to fill a net with smelt almost every scoop, it was amazing to watch, we tried, but we couldn't match her bucket filling ability. Paul & his wife were kind enough to give us their spot, & right away we started filling our bucket too, Dano took us upriver & showed us some of the other places that are frequent hot spots for smelting. Hey everyone! I really think what Born to be Wild did for us today really examplifies what this site is all about, sharing information, & meeting new fishing friends! Unfortunately I got called to go do the dad thing & pickup my step son from school, but before I left town, Dano took me to Bob's oh my God! I love that place! Its like GI Joes Merged with Fisherman's marine Supply, only bigger! they carry lots more products! They have everything we fishing/hunting/camping/outdoorsman like! Dano, you are a class act! Thank you for spending time with us today, without your help I know we wouldn't have got many smelt. I look forward to being out on the river with you again, take care!

[jokester]

KF85,

Thanks for the post in advance :grin: I think i'm gonna drop by the Lewis on my way home tomorrow just to see what's up. Hopefully I'll be coming through there about 10:30 with my limit of smelt

-jokester

[Tide Change]

Afternoon update on the Cowlitz.
(2 guys) + (1 net) x (2 hours) = 30 lbs.
Packed out at 30 dozen.
Deeper water seemed to hold them better. Patience was the key. Several dips at nada, then one at a dozen fish. Repeat over and over till back gives out.

[Smj]

Cool...I'm planing on going up in the morning, but I'll check in here before I head up.

Is ifish a great place or what?

Smj

[Born to be Wild]

Well, I hope most of ya had a good and sucessfull trip.

I got swamped with phone calls and I think I did some damage on my monthly 600 anytime cell minutes but that is ok.
It will be interesting to get on the net in the next day or two and see how much time I used up giving smelt reports and directions. :grin:
I might have to skimp a little the next three weeks.

Merv called a time or two and i attempted to help him via cell.
They got there and Carnival Market was slow still as I posted in the morning and mid day.

Unfortunately I tried to stir both him and SKP up to Lexington and I can't remember all the details amongst all the ifisher's but I think both parties tried it and it was dead to slow or slow to dead or plum ass dead and they left.

But I kept telling them that I couldn't believ Lexington was dead!
There was too many smega smelts going through the lower river today pretty steady and with what I learned the last couple days, I just had this "gut feeling".

So SKP called me on my cell while I was over at Brad's vacuum sealing grunions and told me they were striking out everywhere.
I was bummed as he came up all the way up from Salem/Willsonville area and I told him if he could wait another 20 minutes or so that I would give him a bucket of swimmers that my brother got by coincidence last night (Duane was along just to visit but when it came to 10 minute limits, I found him a bucket). :grin:

So I told them to leave the longview bridge's area where they were (and where Merv got them later I found out) and go check this place out just shy of Carnival Market and if they weren't there I would meet them at Carnival.

Well the dog gone tourist :grin: missed the place I told them to check out and I ran into them at Carnival.
Great meeting you SKP! (Another nice guy ifisher)!
So I told them, questioned them as to whether they were in the right spot at Lexington and nodded and my brain had a microsoft malfunction and I rebooted my brain and talked them into showing them Rocky Point and said if there is any vechicles at Lexington (zipperlip spot), let's go over the dike and check it out.

There was vechicles there so we stopped.
Two parties were just leaving and after they gave one the second degree and I held the other party at "netpoint", found out both parties limited out in about 10-15 minutes!
Same spot we got them in 10 minutes last night!

So here we are all learning but what i have learned the past few days is I have no more patience with these little "pizza aditives" than I do salmonid's.

Ya learn enough "good spots" and if it ain't happenin', you go to another plan "A", or plan "B", and if that doesn't work, you try plan "A" again and if that doesn't work you either try the cell phone or go home! :grin:

To make a long article short, SKP and his buddy got a limit from approx. 9:00PM to 9:30PM and with the one I gave them they headed home with two limits.
Poor old SKP, he had to head for Salem, Willsonville, Beiruit, Lebanon or somewhere far away tonight.
Hope you made it home ok Steve.

I took some notes on the way back (milage) and will start some kind of smelt logistic's thread.
Maybe, I'm tired.

Dano

[stevo]

Just finished packing ~ 50# of smelt-ies into my freezer. We were at Gearheart gardens, got a 3 person limit in 45 minutes, wading out to our bell button just below the boat ramp. Most of these fish are very small, but I am sure the gators won't mind.
Thanks to Dan and all the WA folks for keeping us southerners posted.

[The Overfishin Condition]

Went tonight 8 to almost ten. Had to move around a few times, at the same parking spot, I think it's rocky point, off Ostrander Rd anyway. At first we got a lot of nothing, and finally moved to a spot where we were able to get a pretty quick limit. We were the only people on that side of the river there, when two guys and there kid came down, and started netting, no joke, four or five feet from us, netting way up in the middle of our swoops!? [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] I was a little irked. If they hadn't had the kid with them, I may have said something, but for the most part let it slide. When ReelTrouble and I discussed leaving they asked if we were ready to go, I replied yes, and they said, good we want your spot, I told them I could tell. Anyway, having someone dip right before you every pass sorta kills it, and they weren't having any success doing anything besides scaring them from that spot. We dipped till I got half my limit to give to my neighbor and left! Pretty decent night! Good Luck all.

[ 03-09-2004, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: The Overfishin Condition ]

[Born to be Wild]

Gearhart Gardens!
That's good news because they are still coming!
Thanks for the report Stevo!

Dano

[Born to be Wild]

I went back and it slowed down a bit and that might have been because of a few dippers directly below us that were getting them and possibly spooking them out a little.
Never the less I got my limit, fish-on2 and his buddy got there limits by the time i got done posting and then I took them upstream to show them some other good areas to dip.

The one location where I ran into the sturgie fisherman this morning had someone else in it and he was doing real well contrary to what his buddy said when I first asked. :grin:

Carnival Market was real crowed (looked like the Three Rivers hatchery hole) and it was totally dead while we were there approx. 11:30AM.
Fish-on2 got an emergency call from his wife that his kid at school was ill and didn't get to check out anything else except Rocky Point.
We left without asking any questions but suspect it was slow.

Fish-on needed vacuum bags so I escorted him to Bob's and you should have seen how big his eyes got once inside.
Like a kid in a candy store. :grin:

Lured In called me my on his cell phone a few minutes ago and is heading up so I told him to try a certain spot and if that doesn't work for him to give me a call and if i have time I will try and hunt some down.

So there should be a current report from someone later this afternoon.
If not you can call me SKP because I should be hearing from Lured In.
That's all I know but would suspect it to be good later today or tonight around Lexington but hopefully there will be plenty coming in the lower river today.

Lot's and lot's of bird/sea lion activity at Gearhart and Hudson st earlier today.

Dano

[hookumhi]

just got back,they are there but you have to keep moving.They keep going in and out.

[greenbuttskunk]

I may have to hit the river this evening.
Thanks for the reports!
GBS

[Bait O' Eggs]

I dipped last night.

Got to Carnival market and watched the dippers getting maybe 1 per 10 dips :depressed: Drove up to Lexington and not a fish :depressed: Drove up to Riverside park and nothing :depressed: Drove back down to Lexington and dipped for a few minutes because the other dippers must not be doing it right [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] got nothing after 15 minutes :depressed: Drove back down to Carnival market and was getting maybe 1 fish per 2 or 3 dips like everybody else. After about 30 minutes it got dark and the smelting got much better. :smile: Was probably getting 6 to 10 fish per dip. Didnt take long to get a couple limits.

[sunshinefisherman]

Went just above the Kelso bridge (exit 39) Tuesday. No waders, just went from the shore. Did poorly at first then between 5 and 5:30 I caught my limit.
Look out Mr. Sturgeon!

[SKP]

Is it morning yet (Sleepy eyes, back hurts, freezer is full, no complaints! )

Born to be Wild, thanks so much for showing us how to put on a smelt clinic last night. Your help was much appreciated!

We had actually stopped at the Lexington zipperlip spot first, before we met up with Dan. There were no cars, and we dipped for 15 minutes, and there were no fish, so we headed down to the bridge. We got probably an average of 1 fish per 6 dips there (what dipsticks we are! [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] )

I called Dan, and he told us to stop a few hundred yards before Carnival Market. I zipped on past, partly because some idiot was bearing down on me with his high beams on, so that caused me to miss the turn off.

It was slow going at Carnival, we just watched for a few, and headed to the Lexington zipperlip spot.

After my back gave out(actually my back was already messed up from trying to be a chimney sweep at home a few days previous), I made the long trek back to Salem.

I threw the fish in freezer bags, and got a good night's sleep.

Thanks again Dan for a great excursion on the mighty Cow ! I look forward to maybe fishing some wigglers with you when the wiggling is right!

It was rather cool to see a sea lion working just out from the Lexington zipperlip spot - snort snort, the thing was huge.

I have to say that my first smelt dipping experience, I'll remember for the rest of my life, what fun!

SKP :grin: :grin: :grin:

[SalmonSeason]

Is it worth going up in the afternoon???