Cowlitz Smelt Report Wednesday 3/10 8:00AM

Born to be Wild · 03-10-2004, 08:41 AM

Went down to the river about 8:00AM this morning to get a report and attempt to stir jokester in the right direction.
It was somewhat slow but consistant.
I think I could get my limit in 30-40 minutes but don't need anymore.

Just above the Longview-Kelso bridge there were only 2 parties (3 guys) and 1 boat.
They were getting them with an average of a half dozen at a time.
I talked to the guys in the boat and they said the gulls were diving on them pretty good at Gearhart Gardens where they put in but it was too shallow to dip.

Checked out a couple spots between there and Carnival market and there was a couple spots where they were consistently getting smelt.

Carnival market again was sloooow!
Didn't go up river from there because I have things to do.

Jokester called me about right on time about 9:00AM and was just crossing the Longview-Kelso bridge.
I suggested he start right there and give it a try for awhile even if it is slow because the report I got of smelt down lower and call me in a while and compare notes.
I think he will get his smelt.

I'll update after I hear from him.

I think the smelt are going to show up in big numbers for easy limits yet but one doesn't know for sure so you can go for it or take a chance that they might just be here one day and gone the next.

When it is spotty like this I have found that some spots are definately more consistant than others.
A consistant spot, Carnival Market, has been very inconsistant lately and it seems everytime I have got my limit above or below, it was pretty dead at Carnival Market.

And so much for the night time factor.
We have generally done better durring the day time with the exception of a few fast 10 minute limits at Lexington after dark.

Odometer readings from last night:

Lexington 46.3
Chevron Station 47.0
Rocky Point 47.6
Carnival Market 48.6
Signal Light 49.7
Bridge 50.0

(Hudson Ave. 50.8)

Dano

[ 03-10-2004, 09:44 AM: Message edited by: Born to be Wild ]

SalmonSeason · 03-10-2004, 09:01 AM

Thanks Dano, I was going to head up there
cuz I have NONE Zip! Zero! I appreciate as so many other do... the time you take to post the info
I'll be up there in about two hours you think it's worth it ??

Born to be Wild · 03-10-2004, 09:36 AM

I think so but don't know that for sure.
I'm busy here packaging plastic fish (Chovy minnows) and haven't been to the river since 8:00 AM.
Just talked to Brad at Bob's and he observed the same thing I did this morning.
Just talked to Bill Monroe and he said there isn't any in the Lewis, yet.

Wish Jokester would call and give me a report.
He must be busy netting them or I suspect he would have called me back by now.

Talked to GBS and he is headed up tonight.
If I get a good report from jokester I think I will take a break and go get GBS some for his sturgeon derby just in case it get's tough tonight.
Lookin' forward to meeting the anti-snag tee shirt guru tonight. :grin:

I'm starting to get bored and I think I will go grab a net here shortly and take a break from this matonomy and go catch a non-plastic fisy.
I met and fished with jokester once and he is a way cool dude.
Guess I'd better go check on him and make sure he didn't fall in the crick. :grin:
Besides I wouldn't to miss the 10:30 bite!

Will be updating in a little while.

Dano

Time Off · 03-10-2004, 12:49 PM

1:45PM Update:

Just got back from the river and for the most part it is slow. In the best spots limits are an effort. 3-5 fish a dip is a "good" spot right now.

buckfish · 03-10-2004, 12:54 PM

Just got back from the carnival market spot. Limited in about 2 hours. Some spots are better than others. Chest waders are a must.

Blue Tip Spinner · 03-10-2004, 02:23 PM

just talked to my dad who is at the cowlitz right now, and he said it is real slow. he is over by the bridge, i think exit 42. can you tell me which way to carnival market?????

jukemove · 03-10-2004, 03:31 PM

I went this morning check a few spots was pretty slow till i got to the carnival store. you need waiters go out as far as you can and dip deep. i limited in about 35-45 min. for two people. here is a word of advise sevral guys were there nobody doing any good they all were hitting the rock dont let your net hit the rock it just scares the smelt try to stay 3-5inches above the rocks you will do better good luck.

greenbuttskunk · 03-10-2004, 03:39 PM

Born to be wild just called to give me a report.
Pretty slow up and down the river. Im going to wait till I hear it's a littel better, hopefully it will get better.
GBS

Born to be Wild · 03-10-2004, 05:20 PM

Went to Gearhart Gardens about 1:30PM and nothing.
Went to the Longview-Kelso bridge and tried the ifish zipper hole and found out it was good earlier but really slowed.
The guys on the point below me were getting them pretty consistent but I was the only one getting them at the pumphouse.
It was real slow and took me probably an hour and a half to get a half bucket.
Checked the spots between there and Carnival Market and they were real slow.
Carnival Market was real slow.

By-passed everwhere else and went straight to Lexington where there was nothing except "Hog Caller" from ifish.
Poor guy came all the way from Newberg and only at 6 smega smelts.
So I took him all around and showed him around and even went down to Gearhart Gardens.

No sign of smelt coming in the lower river and the lower river from around Carnival Market died about 3:30PM or so.
I think the water got too cold with that freeze we had last night?
My net handle got uncomfortably cold and so did my feet.

I don't know but I think it would probably be a waste of time coming up here tonight.

I sent Hog Caller up to Lexington hoping the smelt that went through the lower river earlier today might be there and on the bite.

I'll give him some of mine if he doesn't get anymore.

Wished had better news.

Dano

bribri76 · 03-10-2004, 11:48 PM

I told everybody not to worry that the smelt are coming and will be here. Back in the 2001 or 2002 season they came in in the second week of march. I new that they would show. From my old reports that I have they should show in full force in about 5 to 8 days. Good luck on the river.

gottafish · 03-10-2004, 11:48 PM

I nailed them this morning my father-in-law and I got two limits in about 45 min. took exit 39 went over the river and down a little ways and wamo we nail'em thats for the help guys. Rich

Born to be Wild · 03-11-2004, 06:00 AM

As I said the lower river took a nose dive yesterday afternoon.
I ended going out with Sturgeon Dave and a couple of his friends last night and as I suspected it was dead.
Ran into Cooter on the Riverside Park dike so it was cool once again meeting another ifisher.

Just got gased up and am going on a quick scouting trip to see if anything changed over night.

Sore Back is on his way up from Netarts and I sugested last night he might want to cancel.
He's got some crab for me (ah the fringe benefits of ifish) and is coming up anyway.
It will be a pleasure to finally meet George and he will be returning home with some smelt regardless of the smelting.

Give an updated report soon.

Dano

[ 03-11-2004, 07:01 AM: Message edited by: Born to be Wild ]

glowball · 03-11-2004, 06:18 AM

Lots of dippers last night around lexington, but like Dano said the smelt weren't very plentiful. Ended up with half a bucket and I owe that to the boat hanging out in the middle of the river chasing some to me. Hopefully they'll come back in a little thicker.

Kris

brshooter · 03-11-2004, 06:55 AM

I haven't been able to get out this week for smelt. Will be fishing for springers on Saturday down around Kalama. Was wondering about running up the Cowlitz and dipping from the boat if they are still around.
I have heard in past years of people doing this. Never had my boat up the Cowlitz. Anything to watch out for in the lower river? Any tips or suggestions? I have a NR with a sportjet.