#1022128 - 02/12/20 02:29 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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Three Time Spawner
Registered: 12/29/99
Posts: 1604
Loc: Vancouver, Washington
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That'd be correct. The Cowlitz Tribe successfully petitioned NMFS to list smelt as threatened back in 2007.
Although they don't have a treaty on which to derive treaty-reserved fishing rights, the Cowlitz Tribe has been extraordinarily helpful in many natural resource issues in the Lower Columbia, including estuary restoration and recovery of Columbia whitetailed deer. Their commitment to restoring their historic homelands in SW Washington is impressive, even on a shoe-string budget.
They can't be happy about this either.
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#1022129 - 02/12/20 02:52 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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River Nutrients
Registered: 11/21/07
Posts: 7525
Loc: Olema,California,Planet Earth
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But since they don't have fishing rights, WDFW does not have to ask permission. What is their Political Donations budget?
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#1022272 - 02/13/20 08:35 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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River Nutrients
Registered: 10/22/09
Posts: 3031
Loc: University Place and Whidbey I...
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Well, I know it added to State revenue.......saw a guy walking out of Bass Pro today with a new smelt net. One day and done.....
_________________________
Remember to immediately record your catch or you may become the catch!
It's the person who has done nothing who is sure nothing can be done. (Ewing)
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#1022314 - 02/14/20 12:43 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 02/29/08
Posts: 112
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The folks talking about the politics of the season have some valid points, but from a pure fishing perspective, that was fun. I don't know what is normal for that run but there was a constant stream of fish going by just before 8:00. After the first scoop they dove, but were still there. Half a dozen of us got limits in 10-15 minutes. Lots of Fish and Game officers around--folks seemed pretty well behaved. Have never netted small fish like that and was pleased for the opportunity and thankful that WDFW opened it for a day. Mostly just posted because I miss back in the day when this was more of a fishing board, and thought some people might be interested in whether the fishing was good. Not trying to upset anyone.
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#1022319 - 02/14/20 12:55 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: Salmo g.]
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Three Time Spawner
Registered: 01/29/19
Posts: 1513
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Good catch Cohoangler. Smelt are ESA listed. There is no Resource Management Plan, no application, no NMFS review, no NMFS approval. By any measure this is an illegal fishery that NMFS is allowing to fly under the radar. But no way in hell can they allow the fly fishing season on the Stilly for steelhead and cutthroat that might, just might, harm an ESA listed Stilly Chinook. Lol... Right? We must be missing something...not It's pretty clear to me..
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#1022321 - 02/14/20 01:59 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: Take-Down]
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River Nutrients
Registered: 10/28/09
Posts: 3319
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The folks talking about the politics of the season have some valid points, but from a pure fishing perspective, that was fun. I don't know what is normal for that run but there was a constant stream of fish going by just before 8:00. After the first scoop they dove, but were still there. Half a dozen of us got limits in 10-15 minutes. Lots of Fish and Game officers around--folks seemed pretty well behaved. Have never netted small fish like that and was pleased for the opportunity and thankful that WDFW opened it for a day. Mostly just posted because I miss back in the day when this was more of a fishing board, and thought some people might be interested in whether the fishing was good. Not trying to upset anyone. Certainly no problems with the people taking advantage of the opportunity (and not overharvesting). Good on you for making the most of it!
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#1022328 - 02/14/20 03:10 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: Take-Down]
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King of the Beach
Registered: 12/11/02
Posts: 5179
Loc: Carkeek Park
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The folks talking about the politics of the season have some valid points, but from a pure fishing perspective, that was fun. I don't know what is normal for that run but there was a constant stream of fish going by just before 8:00. After the first scoop they dove, but were still there. Half a dozen of us got limits in 10-15 minutes. Lots of Fish and Game officers around--folks seemed pretty well behaved. Have never netted small fish like that and was pleased for the opportunity and thankful that WDFW opened it for a day. Mostly just posted because I miss back in the day when this was more of a fishing board, and thought some people might be interested in whether the fishing was good. Not trying to upset anyone. You have to take every opportunity you get, seeing as they are becoming more rare these days. Good to hear you had good success. You going to fry or smoke your smelt? SF
_________________________
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#1022364 - 02/15/20 10:35 AM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 02/29/08
Posts: 112
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We fried some and sauteed some. Hadn't thought about smoking them. I think I like catching them more than eating them.
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#1022365 - 02/15/20 11:26 AM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: Take-Down]
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Three Time Spawner
Registered: 01/29/19
Posts: 1513
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Smoke em up. You won't be disappointed.
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#1022367 - 02/15/20 01:01 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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River Nutrients
Registered: 11/21/07
Posts: 7525
Loc: Olema,California,Planet Earth
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We tried, in the distant past, smoked and fried. Best way turned out to be feed them to the chickens and eat the eggs. But, years later I had some sushi eulachon. That was top notch stuff. Perhaps the sake helped, but it was good.
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#1022369 - 02/15/20 02:50 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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Returning Adult
Registered: 12/01/18
Posts: 387
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I always liked them smoked. Kind of mushy fried.
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#1022371 - 02/15/20 06:54 PM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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bobrr
Unregistered
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I find they are less mushy and better eating if head and stomach contents are removed before frying or smoking. Scissors make it fast work. I actually pull the backbone out like a popcicle stick before eating after frying, and pick the two sides off the backbone after smoking. It doesn't take long and you wind up with a lot of boneless smoked pieces that can just be eaten or used in delicious recipes or salads. It actually was buying smoked smelt 40 + years ago that started my smoked fish love. Started smoking smelt and chums after that to get my smoking skills down before starting on silvers and kings.
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#1022571 - 02/20/20 11:26 AM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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Dick Nipples
Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 27838
Loc: Seattle, Washington USA
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Looks like WDFW is contemplating another opener, maybe as soon as next week...runsize is looking better than what was first thought.
Fish on...
Todd
_________________________
Team Flying Super Ditch Pickle
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#1022573 - 02/20/20 11:55 AM
Re: One-day smelt opening announced for Cowlitz River
[Re: DrifterWA]
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My Area code makes me cooler than you
Registered: 01/27/15
Posts: 4486
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What???? A mid season adjustment???
Oh how state of the art!!!
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