Pacific Eulachon aka Columbia River Smelt Dip Netting

Friday I had some business to attend to in Longview, WA. I decided to check out the Cowlitz River to see if I could find any eulachon swimming upstream. What I found was remarkable. There was a solid 4-6 ft wide band of smelt moving upstream from as far up as Castle Rock down to the mouth. The numbers were incomprehensible. I had never experienced a smelt run and decided I would return the next morning to try my hand at dipping a few plus it would be a new species for my Cascadia Big Fishing Year (www.bigfishingyear.net). I returned the following day an at 6 AM dipped just about 10 lbs of smelt in my first try. It was literally the fastest I've limited out on anything...about 15 seconds! What a super cool natural phenomenon and was happy I was able to participate successfully in the last day of this experimental opener.

soberg

3/1/2014 9:55:00 PM

Absilutly awsome. I was so hoping to get o that this yr myself. I made once back in the mid 90s. Nice and yum!

bluebiller

3/2/2014 8:43:00 PM

I was there too UpLand ....... kept looking on the 'net for reports. 2 positive reports came out last Wednesday-Thursday and I decided to make the trip down from Kent with the wife. We both easily got our limits, within 1/2 hour. It was great! Took pics. Got home and spent almost 4 hours cleaning them! I am thinking about trying Oak Harbor-Cornet Bay in the future as well, jigging.

uplandsandpiper

3/2/2014 9:44:00 PM

Thanks guys. Bluebiller glad you got in on the action. I tried jigging for Surf Smelt up in the Budd Inlet but only got herring. I am thinking about trying to net some at Kalaloch in the summer. Could be fun!

Cloudyw/chance4fish

3/5/2014 5:20:00 PM

Congrat's,great report,have been scouring for reports on this fishery,WDFW announced 1-additional day for this fishery, being that the last day of this fishery had the best results.It's a long run from Seattle,so I have been on the lookout for any positive results on this fishery,personally have never fished this fishery so any info in relation to the type equipment needed for best results,i'm assuming best results is to gear up fully w/wader and boots with smelt dip net,or can similar results be had from standing on bank. Any info would be appreciated,you can pm me also. Awesome report w/video.THANKS.

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