Smelt Fishing Logs

Here you will find most of the logs for the past smelt fishing seasons. If a log is missing, please contact the logmaster at fishing.logs@moranmail.net. It is possible the logs are still with the old gear, in the garage attic at 2112. If we cannot find the log for the fishing year in question, we will forward to the editorial department and they will create something that should suffice. There were a few instances were the recording secretary failed to arrive a pier fully geared (ie, with a pen), so it is quite possible that the log never existed. Again in this case, in our efforts to record historical accuracy, we will send to the editorial department so we can have them recollect it.

Smelt Fishing Log - April 9 2005
Smelt Fishing Log - April 1 2006
Smelt Fishing Log - April 1 2007
Smelt Fishing Log - April 1 2008
Smelt Fishing Log - April 1 2009
Smelt Fishing Log - April 1 2010
Smelt Fishing Log - April 1 2011
Smelt Fishing Log - April 1 2012

Smelt Fishing Log - April 9 2005

Attendees

Adam,Bart,Liam and Tony

Supplies

Breaded oysters - ½ lb
Breaded clam strips - ½ lb
Breaded catfish parts - 1 lb
Smelt batter - 2 C
Hush puppy batter - 2 C
Salted in the shell peanuts - 10 lb
Pistachios, salted - 0.5 lb
Lemons - 4 large
Stale smokes - ~ a bakers dozen
Wood, shingles, mom’s old desk 35 lbs
Crisco hydrogenated cooking oil - 48 oz
Sam Adams - 12
Miller High Life Tall boys - 6
Assorted other brews 24
Propane, 12 oz cylinders 2
Various sauces and chutneys
Various kitchen supplies

Hush Puppies

½ cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
11/2 cup corn meal
1 egg, beaten
¾ cup milk
¼ tsp salt
1 small onion diced
1 medium jalapeno, diced
Cayenne pepper, black pepper to taste

Weather

Start partly cloudy, clearing by 10:00 p.m. Visible moon. Temp: 55F. Little or no wind.

Lake conditions mild, very small surface waves.

Log Details

Excellent night for smelt fishing, if not for smelt catching. The crew rendezvoused at the homestead at 6:30 p.m. Max has kept a fine supply of smelt gear in excellent condition. Adam and Bart loaded the gear, while Liam and Tony finalized the last provisions.

Arrived at pier at 7:15 p.m. Pier is in excellent condition. More development has occurred on the bluff behind the beach.

The regular crew of camo laden anglers were all ready fishing. Many were line fishing. All said hello to Adam. Took several trips to unload and stage all the gear. Pier rats were either envious or nervous. Wisely crew was not allowed to crack first beer until net was in the water. Nets would never have even seen the water if the rule was not enforced.

Unpacked the smelt gear, all in excellent shape. Needed to clean significant amount of seaweed and other biological out of nets.

Did not see one DNR agent or parking attendant all night. Local police were there on and off, probably due to the presence of high school kids on the pier.

Adam and Liam, er Abbot and Costello launched the anchor. Adam secured anchor line with a bowline and handed end of line to Liam. Adam shot putted the anchor, and Liam watched as anchor, line and all sailed into Lake Michigan. Luckily, a conscientious angler snagged the line and Max’s original lead anchor, given to him by Bob M, was saved.

The pole was lashed to the pier and the nets were sent in.

The crew paused for a couple of tall boys, a token was poured on the pier for the brother that couldn’t make it.

Bart set up his new propane lantern. Rather than read anything, Bart proceeded to turn the lamp to the on position, and peer directly into the lamp at a distance of about one inch from his nose. As can be expected, a two-foot fireball engulfed Bart’s head and part of Adam’s. Luckily, the tempered glass held and did not blind the crew. Eventually the mantle burned up tight and the lamp was very effective for the rest of the night.

The lake was fished hard that night. Harder maybe than it has ever been fished before. The nets were raised at least, well lets see hear… once?

The famous burn bucket was filled with pieces of fresh new lumber stolen from mom’s basement. (I think it may have been an end table). Many at the pier admired the integrated suspension that keeps the bucket 2” off the pier, eliminating fire scares while not requiring blocking. Soon a rosy, roaring, and yet toxic fire was warming the crew.

Soon after the stove was set up and two pounds of Crisco were spooned into the Dutch oven to heat.

The lemon wedges were prepared, and Adam arranged the condiment bar. Once again, the crew put the pier to shame.

The oil (mmm good!) was hot, and we started in on the clam strips, which came out golden brown. We worked our way through the oysters, catfish and hushpuppies. The crew agreed that the puppies could stand some more heat, maybe some bacon. Have to work on the recipe. The regular pier crew hovered, so we added some to the feast. (Meaning we shared with them, not ate them) WWJD?

The stars came out and the night was grand. Stories were told, predictions were made.

Adam,Bart,Liam, Tony and Honey Boo Boo

Supplies

2012 was a sad year for smelt fishing. In previous years all the kit of smelt gear, ropes, anchors and poles were lost in the great lake. Since no one smelt fishes any more, there is no place to get the equipment.

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