Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    Tim, I am bound and determined to do some serious smelting this year.
    Last year was a total loss (no time). My brother and I were going to
    head out this Sunday (10/10) night. He heard about a pier in Lynn that 
    has holes cut out for smelt fishing, we were going to try to find it. 
    Most of the old smelt holes are now condo's or off limits. 
    
    If you are willing to share your location, we would be happy to keep
    you company. The tide will be high around 7:30pm on Sunday night.
    
    Sure we got worms...but were going fishin anyway!!!
    
                                                                 regards
                                                                 T

    Sounds great Tim! What a way to start the season!
    
    			Robert.
    

Went again last night.  Bruce & I got 57 (I think).  Same place, all but 3 on 
pimples & worms.  3 on grass shrimp/plain hook.

On last Thursday, we got 46.  I've heard from reliable sources that they are in 
Beverly too.  One of the locals got 70 on his first night.  He's also had nights
where 5 was the high hook, so...

Winthrop is still my preferred spot until it slows down.

Tim

    Any new news on the smelt fishing? A friend and I wanted to go
    this coming weekend. Can anyone provide directions to a good spot
    for us to try? We are willing to travel an hour or so from Hampton
    NH to find them...Are the smelt safe to eat that are taken in the Lynn
    area? Thanks for any info,
    
    Marty

I've been eating them out of Winthrop all season.  If they're okay there, then
Lynn is alright too.

    We ended up in the Piscataqua river at Dover point. We didn't catch
    anything, but someone else there said they had filled a bucket several
    weeks ago using a net...

    Are the smelt still around the Mass North Shore area? If the weather
    holds and some fish are around, I may try it out this weekend.
    
    			Robert.

    Just called Sawyers.  Just a skim on the Lamprey at the moment.  They 
    think they might have a shot at a few inches by the weekend.
    
    Anyone know about the Exeter or Oyster?
    
    -donmac

I went up to the Eastern River in Maine with Dave Auger and a couple of 
other guys early Saturday A.M. to fish the 4:15 A.M. high tide.  Between 
the four of us, we picked up 440 smelt!!  Action was pretty steady with 
only a few lulls of no more than 5-10 mins.  I got 170 myself which took me 
1.75 hrs to clean up (ugh!).  

It was a long ride up and back, but definitely worth the trip.  Shacks were 
$8 per person for the tide and were well heated and with lights.  

Now that I've got it out of my system, I'm ready for spring!!

-HSJ-

>>I went up to the Eastern River in Maine with Dave Auger and a couple of 
Did you turn him upside down and rotate him?        ^^^^^

;-)
Tim

Tuna Tail,

	See if I ever give you any poggies again !!!

Dave
AKA "Baitmaster"

Hey, Baitmaster...

Get your reading glasses fixed!  That wasn't Tuna-Tail...it was 
Luckless Lucia attempt at some twisted humor... heh heh.

Joe

It must be I'm still dizzy from all that spinning and lack of sleep.....

NEVERMIND...

	Joe thanks for clearing my name up with the Baitmaster.

	I'll be needing more poggies and don't want to get on
	his "bad side" ;^)

	-< Tuna Tail >-  Thanks but no hard H2O fishin for me.

Just read in the paper that smelt fishing on Great Bay and its tributaries 
has been the best in years.  Reports of fast smelt action on the Oyster and 
Lamprey rivers, and with decent catches of white perch up to 2 lbs.

If the action that I had last week up Maine is any indication, then it may
be true (caught 170 smelt).  Since the weather (i.e. temps) are supposed to 
moderate for this weekend, anyone thinking of going?

-Joe-

    yeap, thinking about it...

 I notice there isn't much question about ice conditions this year. :-)

Donmac & I went up Saturday night.  Between us we caught a tommy cod.  His
neighbor & a partner caught 5 smelt.

If this is the "best in years", I'm not sold.

Tim

    re:18
    
    	I bet it makes you wonder where and how Joe's source got their 
    info (i.e. a call to Sawyers maybe ?).
    
    	RAYJ

    Where do people fish for smelt on the Merrimack?
    
    How far upstream do they usually run?
    
    Thanks.
    
    John H-C (who is wondering whether there might be smelt in the lower
    sections of the Shawsheen River)

    Can anyone recommend a place (name, location & phone, & rates)
    that I can go smelting and laker fishing.
    
    I went to Champlain a few years ago, remember renting a shanty for
    20-25 bucks a day, included wood & wood stove, we could also fish for lakers
    and perch, lot o' fun.  Like to do the same but closer if possible.
    
    I'd still be willing to drive up to maine (upstate) or elsewhere, or 
    even set up my new Shappell 3000 somewhere for the day/evening.
    
    Recommendations?
    
    thanks, Erik

    did the lamprey at great bay sat night... one white perch... fishing
    has been pretty dismal there again this year...  about ready to give up
    on the smelt fishing and take up tip-up fishing for whiteperch or 
    crappie...
    
    -donmac