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Post by freezeman on Feb 2, 2016 15:48:16 GMT -6
Alright! It's almost that time of the year again. Looking forward to another good season. Groundhog just predicted that spring will come early. Not really my thing but I can't wait any longer. So who's all hunting this page down waiting for the season to start? Lets do it again!
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Post by yooperkid on Feb 3, 2016 14:07:30 GMT -6
Thinking about it the other day matter of fact,definately gonna make it up to park point this spring.didn't make it up there last year{live in st paul] and was a little disappointed.talking about it with guys from work to put a smelting party together.......
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Post by dominodaves on Feb 5, 2016 14:23:45 GMT -6
Yep, I'm definitely thinking about the season already! Hoping for more snow up in the Duluth area to help with the river flow during the Spring melt! I love to dip in rivers and seine the beaches! Didn't get much dipping in last year because of the low flows. It's been a pretty mild winter so far, maybe that means an early spring!!!
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Post by jg010682 on Feb 13, 2016 6:51:59 GMT -6
Last year was my first year smelting and I had a blast the Christianson net that was recommended on here was definitely the ticket can't wait to bust it out again this spring
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Post by jg010682 on Feb 13, 2016 7:36:40 GMT -6
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Post by jg010682 on Feb 13, 2016 7:39:14 GMT -6
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Post by jg010682 on Feb 13, 2016 7:40:56 GMT -6
First net full last year and one cooler full we ended up with a cooler and a half not bad for the first time
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Post by yammaddogg on Feb 16, 2016 16:22:19 GMT -6
I heard there running early this year to much warm than cold spells probablyrun under the ice this year hahaha
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Post by iluvmn on Feb 17, 2016 15:19:00 GMT -6
Can't wait indeed. Got back from a fishing trip up north and the lake didn't have to much ice. Might be a early year can't wait to meet you guys again!!!!
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Post by dominodaves on Feb 17, 2016 19:03:21 GMT -6
Yep, I can hardly wait to be on the beach with good friends, cold beer, coolers full, big smiles, and spring like temperatures! OH MY!!!
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Post by madbrad104 on Feb 20, 2016 8:09:17 GMT -6
Heard this morning on the news telling everyone to stay off the ice on Lake Superior is it that bad up there ?
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northlander
New Member
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” ― Norman Maclean
Posts: 4
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Post by northlander on Feb 23, 2016 9:54:06 GMT -6
Last year was my first year and I can't wait.
Not a lot of ice out there and with the constantly shifting winds on Lake Superior, she'll break up what is there fast. What is the usual timeline and what are we honestly expecting for this year? Late April, to mid May? I want to bring some buddies up from Southern MN to bite some heads on their first smelt experience.
dominodaves, I trust you as a subject matter expert. You seem to have a wealth of knowledge in the smelting community.
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Post by dominodaves on Feb 23, 2016 13:03:32 GMT -6
Thanks Northlander! I'm glad when people trust my instincts. I've been blessed with a great deal of luck according to my pals, they may be correct! So hopefully I have some to share! My take on this years run goes like this. I think things will pan out much like last year! Yep, early spring again, and ice shouldn't be a problem. However, when there is an early spring, people are always ready to run right up and start smelting asap. Now just because it will be early spring doesn't mean an early run too! Don't get me wrong, often people get some smelt on early excursions. Someone has to do some sampling! And the run may start out sputtering along, and being a bit finicky depending on weather and winds. But if you have to come from a long ways away...my bet would be about April 25th. Usually the tasty little critters really start ramping it up around this date. Move it up or back depending on early or late springs or ice that won't budge! Plus a lot more factors that can change their moody little fins around and frustrate even the most savvy smelter! But this date should allow you to start making some tentative plans. But hear me now and believe me later! Try and be as flexible as possible! Last year was a bit unusual in that good weather conditions for smelting seemed to last nearly all season, and nearly everyone who tried got all the smelt they wanted. It doesn't always work like that! A big storm can mess things up for days or a week at a time! The Duluth area has continued to see below average precipitation. So the rivers will likely to continue to run low and slow, which hurts the predictability of the run there and thus hurts the dippers. Hopefully some good spring rains will help things out. For those who work the beaches with seines, success is almost assured if you pay attention and read this blog and stay current. People will share their successes and failures and I will do my best to let everyone know when they should go and not miss out. And hopefully, my advise won't let anyone down!
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Post by louie on Feb 23, 2016 15:54:48 GMT -6
are you from up there? we want to come up from Rochester. Any ideas about when they might run?
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Post by coolercrew on Feb 24, 2016 9:51:57 GMT -6
I'm rounding up my Posse and lining up all the coolers I can! Thanks in advance for any advise and tips on the run! We too have to make the trip up from the cities! We have no time for wasted gas or trips, although.....we don't mind empting a cooler before filling it!!!!
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