SMELTING RUN

[Northlander]

I havent seen any what I would call big smelt yet. A few that were in the 8-9" range but none of the Mac Daddy's like we saw last year.

Back at it again tonight boys. Maybe we will see some of ya on the point.

[hookertoo]

Sivertson did very well in their pond nets last night, it was their best night so far this season. I might try seining near the superior entry tonight.

[SKIPPERS KID]

We got 95 gallons to night a lot of small males. We did see more females as it got latter and they did get bigger. I think the next two night will be great so pack your coolers and come soon . We where one the point.

[Northlander]

95 gallons? Come on Tom. I raise the BS flag on that one buddy.

We did ok. I would guess about 10 gallons between 4 of us. The next few nights on the point will be very good from what I saw and heard tonight.

[UMDSportsman]

I was at the Lester from about 9:30 til 1:00, ended up with about 120, mostly males, but more females as it got later. I found a couple strange things in my net tonight, first i had a crawfish that was about 2 in long, twice. I also had a little fish that i have never seen before. It was about 2 in long, silvery (like smelt), it also had spines coming out where the pectoral fins would be, and maybe 4-6 spines coming out where the dorsal fin would be. does anybody know what this is?

[bwtrout]

Sounds like a threespine stickleback, an invasive species.

[UMDSportsman]

That would be it. Thank you. I pinched the head hard enough it should have died, and i chucked it up on shore, i just forgot to look for it when i left the river. I looked in the fishing regs to see if they had a pic in the invasive species page, but no luck. once again thanks.

[outdoor ran]

Steve, I'm glad I stopped by. I had a good time talking with you and Billy and even got all the smelt I need.

Casey, if that was you I passed in the dark sorry I didn't hang around. Had to get home to watch the kids and had a leg full of water. Hopefully get them dry for tonight.

[outdoor ran]

Tom (Sk) could you repost your salty smelt recipe. I can't seem to find it and I had good luck on that bag I got from you last year. I want to do up a couple of bags. Thanks

[LETSgoFISHIN]

we got about 20 gallons last nite on the point. we didnt start till 11 and finished up at around 3. not a bad nite on the point.

[kgpcr4]

HELP

Can someone post what the lake looks like as far as waves and getting out on the point tonight? i want to make the trip up but not if i cant get out. Long drive at 3.00 a gallon for gas. Any reports would be apreciated!!

[JRMS]

Where you guys next to the pier or down at the airport? Saturday we parked right by the airport and walked over the hill and it had ice along ways out. Did that ice move out yet? I live 1 1/2 hours away so if you guys could help me out alittle that would be great.

[SKIPPERS KID]

Well it could be tricky but here is what the lake looks like and you can see for your self look at this site it will help you a lot.

http://www.lsmma.com/webcam_large.htm

[spivak]

Cold East wind coming off the Lake right now. 42 degrees air temp. Sounds like it's going to be windy the next day our so. National Weather Service has a great website which also gives marine forecasts--google them and home in on Duluth. But heck, the smelt are in and this season comes but once. As for me, I've had a couple of smetlt fries and I'm smelted out. I Lay down my net. Hey Hookertoo--I couldn't find an email address for you. I think I talked to you briefly at the Bow Ed course in Carlton and when I read your name--Peter Dahl--I'm wondering if you have any connection to the Pete Dahl slough on the Copper River Delta. Instead of smelt up there it was Hooligan--bears, eagles, and gulls let us know when they came in. A very oily fish the size of a smelt which some people ate but was used mainly for bait. I remember kayaking up a slough and having my paddle bounce off so many it felt like I was hitting rocks.

[Surface Tension]

I'll be down if the wind and waves are doable.

[Nate McVey]

Here's a better site:

http://134.156.98.1/lakecam/index.html

At least it was better last time I posted it, looks like the angle is changed.

[Northlander]

Ya nothing is showing a good view of the point. Ill drive by on the way to work and report later.

[kgpcr4]

Thanks Northlander!! Nothing is showing up on the cam i usualy look at so i am blind down here in St. Cloud. I sure would like to get a few of them bad boys!

[pastfan]

As of right now waves are 3-4 ft with the flag above fitgers pointing straight west. NWS forecast says that the wind will continue through the night out of the east at 15knots with gusts to 20.

[Northlander]

Ya I was just down there and it wont be pulled tonight at this rate. Hopefully the winds die down by 10pm but if I were to bet I would say tonight will be a bust. I may just go dip net the Lester or Chester Creek for a while.

[longcaster]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone will be down pulling tonight around 2:30 am? thats when I'll be done with work and I don't have a sein. I do have waders and will be willing to do some pulling. Any help would be great - I really want to get some before the run is over.

-Andy

[hawghunter001]

Where is the point guys Im goning to go over there tonight and hopefully someone will have a few to sell How do I get there coming from the west

[Northlander]

Take 35 into Duluth and follow to the Lake Ave exit. Take Lake Ave down to Mn. Point and take Mn. Ave down and over the lift bridge. Go to the tot lot or drive all the way down to the airport, cant go any further, and walk out to the lake side. Tot Lot is straight down Mn ave about 1 mile and instaed of taking the sharp S turn you go straight into the lot. You will see a lot of trucks there if this wind dies down.

[hawghunter001]

THX Northlander I do Appreciate it if your down there Ill be the loghaird bearded hillybilly lokking feller

[Northlander]

Wow you and Poutslayer know eachother? LOL. Ill be at the tot lot about 10:15 and checking it out. If that dont work Ill go dip the Lester/Chester.

[Northlander]

Cold and windy tonight! The hardy guys were getting a few. Saw a few pails full. Tough pulling and the hands never warm up when its like this.

If it settles down, wich its not supposed to, it shoul be good through the weekend.

[kgpcr4]

Any reports from the rivers? It looks like its going to blow hard from the east untill July the way it looks LOL

[pastfan]

Went down to the lester last night and was getting 1 smelt out of every 5 dips or so. Some of the guys down there would occasionally get a dozen in one dip. It was starting to pick up a bit as i left around 11 - after taking a wave in the waders.

[UMDSportsman]

pastfan- i was one of they guys you talked to while you were on your way out of the river. I stayed until 11:30. They were comming in better early, then slowed down. I filled my icecream pail and left. I was there from about 9:00-11:30.

[jimbo1969usus]

I am heading over to lester river again to-night..

i go there every 2-days hopeing to get some smelt..

i hope i do better to-night