Cowlitz river smelt

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Sthao92
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Cowlitz river smelt

Post by Sthao92 » Mon Feb 10, 2014 6:06 pm

Now that they opened a very limited smelt dipping season, I guess you can call it. Anyone on here plan on giving it a try. I know my relatives are eager to go out and try it.

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natetreat
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by natetreat » Mon Feb 10, 2014 8:58 pm

Yes! Mike knows how I feel about sardines.

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Bodofish
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by Bodofish » Tue Feb 11, 2014 9:43 am

AGGGHHHHH!!!! Blech!! Urrrggghhh! Hahahahahahahahaha, just kidding, you're always in good company when it comes to sardines. They are tasty little buggers.
Although in the past few years, despite my love for the little buggers, I've cut back on eating them and kippers. Sardines, Anchovies and Herring are the food of the ocean and a large part of our anadromous species diet when out to sea. One of PS's big problems is the State (gov.) let many different groups (many not State resident's) fish the "garbage" and or "by catch" species. Not good for our local big fish.
I still like to nosh on a sardine or kipper on a cracker.
Build a man a fire and he's warm for the night. Light a man on fire and he's warm the rest of his life!

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racfish
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by racfish » Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:45 am

I haven't done smelt dipping in many years. I had this 16' net I used. Sometimes youd lose half just trying to bring them in. I imagine that is not a worry anymore. Fried smelt? I can eat them all day.I don't even clean smaller ones.I always save some for salmon season.I love eating the kippers ,sardines,pickled herring . Great fishing food.

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Steelheadin360
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by Steelheadin360 » Tue Feb 11, 2014 3:06 pm

Is this like raking smelt in the Sound or something totally different?

Mordalphus
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by Mordalphus » Tue Feb 11, 2014 5:30 pm

Yes like smelting in the sound, they spawn in freshwater.

I love them, taste so good pan fried, especially full of eggs.

obryan214
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by obryan214 » Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:05 pm

Steelheadin360 wrote:Is this like raking smelt in the Sound or something totally different?
on the river you dip them in a big net with small holes instead of impaling them on the rake. about as effective though.

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MarkFromSea
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by MarkFromSea » Wed Feb 12, 2014 12:03 pm

pretty short... read it last week.. something like 6 am till noon, saturday only till Mar 1? so, dip for 6 hours for up to 10 pounds.. 3 more saturdays?. commercials have more opportunity as well, 7 hours per day allowed.
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obryan214
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by obryan214 » Wed Feb 12, 2014 4:26 pm

from the report is todays tacoma news tribune it sounds like it isn't worth the effort.

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MarkFromSea
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by MarkFromSea » Thu Feb 13, 2014 12:21 am

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/02/0 ... urday.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Fish Hard and Fish Often!"

obryan214
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by obryan214 » Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:33 am

here is the report from feb. 12 news tribune.

Smelt: Only a half-dozen people were seen dipping Saturday in the Cowlitz, and they had no catch on the first of four Saturdays dipping is allowed. The river is open Saturdays 6 a.m.-noon through March 1. Dip nets used from the bank only. The daily limit is 10 pounds per person.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/02/1 ... Newsletter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;#storylink=cpy

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MarkFromSea
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Re: Cowlitz river smelt

Post by MarkFromSea » Thu Feb 13, 2014 12:44 pm

obryan214 wrote:here is the report from feb. 12 news tribune.

Smelt: Only a half-dozen people were seen dipping Saturday in the Cowlitz, and they had no catch on the first of four Saturdays dipping is allowed. The river is open Saturdays 6 a.m.-noon through March 1. Dip nets used from the bank only. The daily limit is 10 pounds per person.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/02/1 ... Newsletter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;#storylink=cpy
Thanks! I do love frying up smelt, but, if they aren't there..... razor clams baby! Feb 26 ect ect.... Last dig was good to us! [thumbsup]
"Fish Hard and Fish Often!"

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