Agreed! I was really happy we got to check out several spots and it wasn't just one scoop and we're done lol. This way I got to learn a lot more about the run dynamics and why certain spots are better than others at different times. It was a really fun day!
Thanks for yet another highly educational and entertaining video! I've been waiting for this one. I was not aware of the salvation fish name! Another name for them. : )
Thanks so much for watching! I love all of the different names for the fish. I'm a little obsessed with them now though after learning more about their history in the PNW and then tasting them. Holy cow! I had people telling me they just used them for bait! I ate so many already that there wouldn't be any left to use as bait even if I was so inclined. What do you think of eating the males vs females? I found one female when I was cleaning my fish and she had significantly less meat it seemed. Am I the only one who thinks the males are better to fish for and we lucked out getting mostly males at this point in the run?
Yep! I vastly prefer the males. Yeah a lot of people use em just for bait. I've done three smelt vids now and have omitted that on purpose. IMO that's what an invasive like shad are for... or sand shrimp... both work fine for sturgeon). At any rate your passion comes thru in your videos and that makes them a ton of fun to watch!
@@WAFishQuest I completely agree!!!! There are plenty of other bait species I'd much rather use. I had the same thought about not focusing on that use in the video. They're just too good! Funny about the males. Now I know though :) I think I've only seen 2 of your smelt videos, I'll have to go hunt down the 3rd!
Thanks so much! It was a pretty fun day and I'm so glad I got to explore more of the river than if I'd just netted them all in 2 scoops and gone home lol. Hopefully the fish continue to have good returns like the past 2 years and next year we get another opportunity.
Only slightly fishy smell. But we were outside so I'm sure it would be much more unpleasant if you lit it indoors. Not quite "fresh-baked apple pie" level experience 🤣🤣🤣
So with respect, Thaleichthys pacificus, a wide spread Native Anadromous Fish did survive along most the Pacific Coast from Northern California at least, to Alaska through Canada.
Eulachon should not be given mis-guided names. It is not a true smelt, so with respect the candle fish thing is based on high oil content of fish. Not to doubt that, but the fact is, it can be Misidentified, overharvested, and/or under Researched. Night smelt are a different Species, different spawning habitat, and different Natural History and Natal Schools of Native Fish runs.
Those Natal or non-Hatchery fish, as Eulachon was not a well established Hatchery Species so apologize for being ignorant of hatchery practices for Eulachon after Dams, de-watering of Natal streams possibly, spawning variables such as dissolved oxygen water temp, pH, so there. Other fish Species, may need more Research to document these facts and details Specifically must be broadcast spawners as these Visuals evidence the spawning, size of adults variable, freshwater spawning demands Recorded and ongoing Research. Thanks did not realize were Broadcast spawners.
I think that's the perfect day! Got a mega scoop but got to have a lot of time on the river.
Agreed! I was really happy we got to check out several spots and it wasn't just one scoop and we're done lol. This way I got to learn a lot more about the run dynamics and why certain spots are better than others at different times. It was a really fun day!
Looked like it! Glad you had a blast!
Fish candles you learn the darndest things 🤣👍
Right?! Fish candles! Never thought I'd be saying those two words in a sentence together 🤣
Very interesting as always. The candle at the end is crazy. Thanks for the great video.
Thank you for watching! The fish burned much longer than I expected. I was really impressed actually. These fish are really remarkable!
Excellent video. Answered all my questions about these fish.
Great to hear! They are pretty special. I'm a little obsessed :)
I’ve wanted to try these. Thank you for your video.
Thanks for watching! If it opens up again next Feb/Mar it's definitely an experience worth trying!
Thanks for yet another highly educational and entertaining video! I've been waiting for this one. I was not aware of the salvation fish name! Another name for them. : )
Thanks so much for watching! I love all of the different names for the fish. I'm a little obsessed with them now though after learning more about their history in the PNW and then tasting them. Holy cow! I had people telling me they just used them for bait! I ate so many already that there wouldn't be any left to use as bait even if I was so inclined. What do you think of eating the males vs females? I found one female when I was cleaning my fish and she had significantly less meat it seemed. Am I the only one who thinks the males are better to fish for and we lucked out getting mostly males at this point in the run?
Yep! I vastly prefer the males. Yeah a lot of people use em just for bait. I've done three smelt vids now and have omitted that on purpose. IMO that's what an invasive like shad are for... or sand shrimp... both work fine for sturgeon). At any rate your passion comes thru in your videos and that makes them a ton of fun to watch!
@@WAFishQuest I completely agree!!!! There are plenty of other bait species I'd much rather use. I had the same thought about not focusing on that use in the video. They're just too good! Funny about the males. Now I know though :) I think I've only seen 2 of your smelt videos, I'll have to go hunt down the 3rd!
I did one a long time ago... 2014 I think. Other two were in the last month. Again great vid!
That looks like awesome fishing. Love watching the videos you make they are really good lots of good info
Thanks so much Tomas. I really appreciate that 😃 They're a lot of fun to make. It helps that I've got a willing cameraman!
Thanks for another great video. I have always wondered where and how these smelt are caught. Looked like fun netting them. Good job!!
Thanks so much! It was a pretty fun day and I'm so glad I got to explore more of the river than if I'd just netted them all in 2 scoops and gone home lol. Hopefully the fish continue to have good returns like the past 2 years and next year we get another opportunity.
Those fish candles look awesome!
They're so bizarre and fantastic! These really are the most amazing fish! Thanks for watching :)
Is this fish used only for frying? Can't we make a fish curry of those type ?
Fried smelt is my favorite next to crappie.
That's quite an operation! (Smoker).
It's definitely seen better days 🤣 Gets the job done though! There's bacon in there right now 😜
That's awesome!
Awesome video. Did the fish candle smell super fishy?
Only slightly fishy smell. But we were outside so I'm sure it would be much more unpleasant if you lit it indoors. Not quite "fresh-baked apple pie" level experience 🤣🤣🤣
So with respect, Thaleichthys pacificus, a wide spread Native Anadromous Fish did survive along most the Pacific Coast from Northern California at least, to Alaska through Canada.
Did you scale your fish before smoking/frying them?
They either don't have them or they're so fine you don't have to descale at this point in their lifecycle!
Yup, they loose their scales when they reach maturity. They are a truly bizarre little fish.
Wow
Need a beer lol
Right?! For both the eating and the campfire/fishfire :)
Subbed!
Thanks so much!
Eulachon should not be given mis-guided names. It is not a true smelt, so with respect the candle fish thing is based on high oil content of fish. Not to doubt that, but the fact is, it can be Misidentified, overharvested, and/or under Researched. Night smelt are a different Species, different spawning habitat, and different Natural History and Natal Schools of Native Fish runs.
Those Natal or non-Hatchery fish, as Eulachon was not a well established Hatchery Species so apologize for being ignorant of hatchery practices for Eulachon after Dams, de-watering of Natal streams possibly, spawning variables such as dissolved oxygen water temp, pH, so there. Other fish Species, may need more Research to document these facts and details Specifically must be broadcast spawners as these Visuals evidence the spawning, size of adults variable, freshwater spawning demands Recorded and ongoing Research. Thanks did not realize were Broadcast spawners.