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We put our smelt shack on last weekend. The first few times we went it was kind of slow. The tides may have played a part just after the new moon. The last time I went I picked up a few dozen so hopefully this upward trend will last. There are five more camps on where I fish and everyone has been talking about how slow it is. Better than last year when the ice was so thin and unpredictable we didn't even get the shack on at all. It beats sitting in front of the TV. I have my heater and lantern, a sandwich, and something cold to drink so I'm all set. There are worse ways to spend a winter's evening in Maine that's for sure.
There are lots of smelt camps for rent in Maine. Just Google Smelt Camps Maine and you'll get a nice list. I have fished many of the ones listed over the years and they are all fairly similar. They provide lights, a wood fire, and have bait available to buy right there. It's great fun and kids love to go. I like the rental places and they are convenient if you only go once in a while though it's hard to beat having your own place if you want to go a lot!
Smelting can actually be a lot of fun, there's a place in dresden, and randolph, that we use to visit, have a few home brews and catch some smelts.
You can have many "lines" going, and if they are running-it is exciting
Sometimes 'smelting' gets a bad rap, many think it must be cold-but most of the shacks have a stove of some kind to keep it warm-kids have a blast when the smelts are running.
Smelting can actually be a lot of fun, there's a place in dresden, and randolph, that we use to visit, have a few home brews and catch some smelts.
You can have many "lines" going, and if they are running-it is exciting
Sometimes 'smelting' gets a bad rap, many think it must be cold-but most of the shacks have a stove of some kind to keep it warm-kids have a blast when the smelts are running.
Only a dozen tonight. Not great but better than being skunked! My biggest issue is I'm allergic to bloodworms! After the fourth or fifth time I handle bloodworms I get a weird form of conjunctivitis (pink eye) in both eyes. I have to stop smelting or use another bait until the swelling in my eyes goes away. It can get really bad! It looks like someone punched me in both eyes for three or four days. I try to use shrimp or even a cut up sucker for bait when I can get it but the bloodworms work the best so when I really want to catch smelts I have to suck it up and buy some eye drops!!
Normally beer is the beverage of choice for smelting except this year I'm on a no beer diet trying to lose weight before my daughter's wedding. I'd much rather be sipping on a Geary's or a Shipyard than a Poland Spring Water or diet drink but the fishing is still fun regardless!
....and now with apologies to "the singing cowboys"....a one and a two and a-three; take it away boys:
When smelt run in the Kennebec;
When there's open water too;
When smelt run in the kennebec,--
I'll come running back to you.
When fiddle heads are peeking,
From the braken and the goo;
When skunk cabbage are a'growing--
I'll come slinking home to you.
Little sweetheart of the river;
with your bonnie eyes of blue;
When smelt run in the Kennebec;
I'll come running back to you.
Keep your skillet good and greasy;
get some flour and pepper too;
For this Maine Man's dipped his limit;
And he's coming home to you.
Smelt are running in the Kennbec;
And there's open water too;
Smelt are running in the Kennbec;
but I'm running home to you!
Little sweetheart of the river;
With your eyes of purest blue;
Smelt are running in the Kennebec
But I'm staying home with you!
I LOVE IT!!!!! Great song elston!!! That should be the Maine State Song replacing the Maine Stein Song!!!! Thanks for posting it!!!
I'll have to sing it down at my shack tomorrow night (except I'm on the Androscoggin) He a smelt is a smelt they won't care!
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"When The Smelt Run In the Kennebec....."
