Smelt; Where can I get them?

[yooper_fisher]

I was recently checking out the seafood section at my local grocery store and saw that they had smelt for sale. I picked up a pound to try a new recipe in the smoker, but it got me to thinking... "Where can I get smelt on my own around these parts?" Back when I lived by Lake Superior every spring, around the middle/end of April it was tradition to head out to the tributary streams after dark with waders on and wielding a dip net and a 5-gallon bucket in hopes that the smelt were running. I got pretty good at figuring out when the run would start on certain rivers and would be able to get quite a few of these tasty little fish. I never went home with more than 2 gallons at a time (not for lack of fish, I just didn't want to clean any more than that at a time).

So, long story... still long I guess, I'm curious if anyone dips smelt in Washington? I know they are a different kind of smelt than we had in Superior (rainbow smelt, an atlantic species). If there are places that people dip smelt, are they worth eating, or are they used for bait mostly? Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated as I miss my yearly tradition.

[MarkFromSea]

Miss the same tradition here. Used to be the Cowlitz to dip smelt or LaConnor to jig. I think one was smelt and the other was euchalon or some such. Runs got weaker, I quit going. I think I heard the smelt on the Cowlitz is closed...

Just looked, page 11 of regs:
Statewide Closure for Columbia River
Smelt (eulachon) - Fishing for Columbia River Smelt (eulachon)
is closed in both fresh and saltwater statewide. In 2010, the
federal government declared that Columbia River smelt (also
called eulachon) warranted protection as a Threatened species
under the Endangered Species Act. This statewide closure is
necessary to conserve this species.
For more information on rule changes, check online at:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bodofish]

La Conner, we used to catch them on the beach at Camano. I haven't done it in years, just because I'm not really a big fan.

[MarkFromSea]

Been so long since I've been, I forgot how to spell it. What I really looked forward to was after catching a few, I'd head to a bar on the channel for one of the best burgers known to man and Red Hook on tap. The fishing was just an excuse to get the burger and beer. LOL

[yooper_fisher]

Been so long since I've been, I forgot how to spell it. What I really looked forward to was after catching a few, I'd head to a bar on the channel for one of the best burgers known to man and Red Hook on tap. The fishing was just an excuse to get the burger and beer. LOL

LoL, sounds familiar. The smelt dipping was mostly an excuse to start a bon fire on the stream bank and drink some beers waiting for the smelt.

[MarkFromSea]

Guess you could do the same for steelhead. Check regs first though. A bunch of rivers are closed in the emergency regs. Those were the days, fewer responsibilities, more expendable cash and cheaper gas... Fishing and Hunting News brought me new weekly destinations. Some were good, some, well, it was also known as the "Liars Gazette".

https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efis ... r_select.h" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

just noticed the 2012-13 reg changes are out at wdfw site..... as well.

[rockjiggr]

My father, who grew up in Lewis County, told me a story of his great grandfather back around the turn of the century used to take the family farm wagon down to the Cowlitz near Vader and back the wagon into the river then pull it out completely full of smelt. Millions of them in the runs back then. It's a shame that they have dwindled to the point where they are off limits. Smoked they are awesome, fried- even better.

[returnofthefish]

Columbia River Smelt AKA eulachon is closed like everyone says. Surf smelt is not. Lets look at Area 10 as an example on page 121 in the reg book. Smelt is classified with other forage fish on page 102. Now lets go back to area 10 regs. Herring, SMELT, anchovy, sardine and sand lance has a daily limit of ten pounds. Fish and Game developed a publication with everything you wanted to know about surf smelt. It shows where and when to catch them. It also has a diagram of legal dipping nets. You can go to this web address and download it yourself.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub.php?id=01219" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wanted to dip for smelt too. The publication wasnt enticing enough for me to sit at a beach and wait for the smelt to show up. Let us know how you do Yooper.

[The Quadfather]

Does sound like a lot of fun. However reading the words, "Dip net" I would bet money it ain't legal in this state. Reminds of being in South Louisiana a while ago and trying to explain to the live bait retailer how in WA. We pretty much couldn't use live bait, save nightcrawlers anyway. He had no comprehension of what I was talking about.

[returnofthefish]

On the Marine Area Rules page 102, there's a column "Tackle/Gear Rules". The definiton of a forage fish dipnet is described. May be only used for forage fish and SQUID. The squid part is something I just learned, but find unuseful since I cant even catch any with squid jigs. haha.

[bcalvert]

During the summer my wife enjoys jigging for smelt off the docks at Cornet Bay on Whidbey Island.

[rseas]

Speaking of, it's that time again. The Historic and Fun La Conner Smelt Derby is this weekend.

http://www.laconnerrotary.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sponsor: The Rotary Club of La Conner
Saturday, Feb. 25
Contacts: Lee Carlson, (360) 466-0127 or Sandy Stokes (360) 466-3315

History-making in 2012
Over the years families have made a tradition of taking the children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren to the historic smelt derby. It’s a special family event. You don’t last 47years without offering something to those who participate and the community that supports the events. Each year local merchants donate over 100 prizes and others provide substantial cash sponsorship to keep the derby going.

Over the years the Smelt Derby has developed a fun, family day to remember. Here are the events:
• Breakfast: As in years past, the Rotarians will serve up pancakes, eggs and all the trimmings at Maple Hall from 8 to 10 a.m. The breakfast benefits the La Conner Senior Class
• Smelt Run: Work off the meal with the Skagit Symphony’s USATF Certified 5K or 10Krun. Or take the family fun walk around town, see the town’s award-winning public art displays and maybe even glimpse one of La Conner’s town turkeys. 10a.m. start.
• Fishing: The Smelt Derby fishing contest is on the town docks from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids can win cash prizes of $100 for bringing in the largest smelt. Other prizes for unusual catches from the channel. Pick up a life jacket at derby headquarters.
• Kid’s activities: Kids will love the fishing action and the free fun at Maple Hall, the site of the famous “fish printing” where the budding artists can create a masterpiece out of a dead fish and paint. 10 am. to 2 pm.
• Boat tour: Also for the youngsters, La Conner Sea Scouts will offer tours of their historic schooner, “Rejoice.”
• Raffle and more: Adults can spend $2 to try their luck in a raffle with over 100 fabulous prizes and a $750 cash Grand Prize. They can feed the kids and families can enjoy $2 hot dogs. Meals for $4 with a polish hot dog.
• Meet the Smelt Queen and hear what smelt has meant to her.
• Participate in a geocaching contest. Prizes are located throughout the town.

[Bodofish]

Smelt derby........ yeah.... that's one of those festivals my liver can't take anymore.

[BassDood]

They dip for smelt at Ross Point in Port Orchard. I drive by there daily. Seems to be a high tide/winter month thing, tho I don't know exact run times.

[The Quadfather]

Recently I've been seeing them at Central Market, in Shoreline. I had thought about dipping a few and trying them for lake WA. Cutthroat trolling.

[yooper_fisher]

Columbia River Smelt AKA eulachon is closed like everyone says. Surf smelt is not. Lets look at Area 10 as an example on page 121 in the reg book. Smelt is classified with other forage fish on page 102. Now lets go back to area 10 regs. Herring, SMELT, anchovy, sardine and sand lance has a daily limit of ten pounds. Fish and Game developed a publication with everything you wanted to know about surf smelt. It shows where and when to catch them. It also has a diagram of legal dipping nets. You can go to this web address and download it yourself.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub.php?id=01219" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wanted to dip for smelt too. The publication wasnt enticing enough for me to sit at a beach and wait for the smelt to show up. Let us know how you do Yooper.

Thanks for the info return, and everyone else. If it's a this time of year fishery I doubt I'll make it out, but I'll try to give it a shot. Are surf smelt worth eating? I've always heard that pacific smelt aren't such a much (but the ones I smoked up seemed half way decent).

Smelt derby........ yeah.... that's one of those festivals my liver can't take anymore.

I'm with you on that Bodo!

[Bodofish]

Smelt out of the salt are much tastier, not to mention they're full of row. bonus for some and others.....well.......

[yooper_fisher]

Smelt out of the salt are much tastier, not to mention they're full of row. bonus for some and others.....well.......

I hated getting female smelt with roe in them. I usually either let them go (catch and release smelt dipping can upset a few people not getting as many I found out) or froze them whole for bait. They were just a mess to clean.

I noticed a few people mentioned jigging smelt. I don't know why this didn't occur to me before as a means of getting them here. I used to jig for them ice fishing. I'd go out after dark, drill a couple holes and put 3-5 small hooks on my line with a swedish pimple at the bottom and tip each hook with a wax worm or a smelt eye. If I got 100 smelt it was a good night (2-4 hours). The fun part was when you were into a big school and could bring up 3 or 4 at a time.

[MotoBoat]

Speaking of, it's that time again. The Historic and Fun La Conner Smelt Derby is this weekend.

http://www.laconnerrotary.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sponsor: The Rotary Club of La Conner
Saturday, Feb. 25
Contacts: Lee Carlson, (360) 466-0127 or Sandy Stokes (360) 466-3315

History-making in 2012
Over the years families have made a tradition of taking the children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren to the historic smelt derby. It’s a special family event. You don’t last 47years without offering something to those who participate and the community that supports the events. Each year local merchants donate over 100 prizes and others provide substantial cash sponsorship to keep the derby going.

Over the years the Smelt Derby has developed a fun, family day to remember. Here are the events:
• Breakfast: As in years past, the Rotarians will serve up pancakes, eggs and all the trimmings at Maple Hall from 8 to 10 a.m. The breakfast benefits the La Conner Senior Class
• Smelt Run: Work off the meal with the Skagit Symphony’s USATF Certified 5K or 10Krun. Or take the family fun walk around town, see the town’s award-winning public art displays and maybe even glimpse one of La Conner’s town turkeys. 10a.m. start.
• Fishing: The Smelt Derby fishing contest is on the town docks from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids can win cash prizes of $100 for bringing in the largest smelt. Other prizes for unusual catches from the channel. Pick up a life jacket at derby headquarters.
• Kid’s activities: Kids will love the fishing action and the free fun at Maple Hall, the site of the famous “fish printing” where the budding artists can create a masterpiece out of a dead fish and paint. 10 am. to 2 pm.
• Boat tour: Also for the youngsters, La Conner Sea Scouts will offer tours of their historic schooner, “Rejoice.”
• Raffle and more: Adults can spend $2 to try their luck in a raffle with over 100 fabulous prizes and a $750 cash Grand Prize. They can feed the kids and families can enjoy $2 hot dogs. Meals for $4 with a polish hot dog.
• Meet the Smelt Queen and hear what smelt has meant to her.
• Participate in a geocaching contest. Prizes are located throughout the town.

• Meet the Smelt Queen and hear what smelt has meant to her

I don't know why. But after I read that part........It left me longing for Stephanie.