Smelt are a go for "04"

Fshklr · 12-22-2003, 04:06 PM

Looks like another great year for smelt!!
Smelt 04

jokester · 12-22-2003, 08:21 PM

Bring on those little slimy, smelly, sturgeon bait creatures. This'll be my first year for dipping, but I can't wait! Look for seagulls :grin:
-jokester

blacktail519 · 12-22-2003, 08:50 PM

My nets ready to get wet.
Thanks for the report link.

Mrdorkfish · 12-22-2003, 08:55 PM

Looking forward to the Sandy filling up with them again...The kids thought it was cool being out that late ..catching little fish :grin: People were smiling...laughing...had fires and lanterns burning away. Can't wait.

Anyone responding to this post..Have you ever dipped near a trib out of a boat in the Columbia??
Thanks,

MrDorkfish [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Louis

[ 12-22-2003, 09:57 PM: Message edited by: Mrdorkfish ]

FishFreak · 12-22-2003, 09:04 PM

Hey you smelt dipping fools.....
Care to share some experience with a novice?
I know the Sandy is one local river to watch... how do you know when they arrive... where specifically does one go? time of day? You wade out for them???? some technique tips please...
Once you have this bucket of little lovelies how do you handle them (assuming their used for bait and not dinner)
Your experience would be really appreciated.
FF

bribri76 · 12-22-2003, 09:55 PM

Hey fishfreak try the cowlitz river the best time is the first few hours of sunlight. The newspaper will tell you when they come in. It will be in the sports section.

Space · 12-22-2003, 10:01 PM

Hey there, I like to go up the Sandy to the overpass. I usually dip out of the sled just out of reach of the bank dippers. Best time would be night time. During the day they tend to stay in the deeper water. When it's dark they tend to come in closer to the bank. I will be doing some test dipping here pretty soon. I will go at night and take my spot light. They can be spotted easily at the mouth and in the shallows on the way up. Last year the water temp 20ft deep in the Sandy was 33deg. The smelt were schooling in the big river but not entering the Sandy. The sealions were out in force as well. If you know how to get down to the west bank of the Sandy by the mouth you will do very well if they are comming in. There are very few people as well. It won't take long to get a good spot anyway with a 2/3rds of a bucket limit.

Hope this helps. Maybe this year I'll post for a couple of ride alongs. It's always a good time.

SPACE

Snapset · 12-22-2003, 10:12 PM

Time to take the long handle off my Kokanee net and put it back where it belongs.

jokester · 12-23-2003, 10:08 AM

bribri76,

I figured instead of the Cow, you'd be hitting the Lewis during the smelt run! Those ******* things are all over that river :shocked: You don't even need to buy a paper...just drive by it and if you see a billion seagulls, you know there's smelt there :grin:

What, I can't say *******' without it being autoedited?

-jokester

LuckySteelhead · 12-23-2003, 01:22 PM

Fishfreak, get a net and have it ready. Also wait till there is solid confirmation that they are in, don't get sucked into the early false reports, you will ware yourself out with one smelt per 8 dips, instead of the other way around if you hit it before the main run comes in. The cowlitz is the best river, when you see 200 people on the bank near bank dipping near the bridge in longview, be there, also just after dark or at dusk is best. You don't need any license either, even if you are a OR resident in WA.

h20dog · 12-23-2003, 11:03 PM

Two years ago we were fishing for sturgeon at t-6
and about every 5 minutes we could net one right out of the boat. We were using frozen and the fish definately preffered the fresh, so it worked out nice.

Sore Back · 12-24-2003, 04:34 AM

Thanks Fishklr, I have been waiting for the info you provided.

Sore Back