Smelt....I could eat them all day

Great post! I to am shedding a tear remembering the past .

 I was in my teens. late 70's. futta!!! that was a long time ago. . Me and my family were camping at the mouth of the Klamath river on the beach.
It was late august.

The smelt were running thick. you could look into the surf as a wave would curl and see what looked like a black cloud of them. there was so many washing up on the shore. You could pick up a small bucket full in  minutes.

My Dad would also deep fry them with a light egg batter. They were great all day long!!

Thanks again for sharing. Alex

Great post! I to am shedding a tear remembering the past .

 I was in my teens. late 70's. futta!!! that was a long time ago. . Me and my family were camping at the mouth of the Klamath river on the beach.
It was late august.

The smelt were running thick. you could look into the surf as a wave would curl and see what looked like a black cloud of them. there was so many washing up on the shore. You could pick up a small bucket full in  minutes.

My Dad would also deep fry them with a light egg batter. They were great all day long!!

Thanks again for sharing. Alex

+1
In those days, the daily limit at the Columbia River was 5 gallon bucket per person.
Man do I miss them.

They get big runs on the Great Lakes as well.

Traditional fare in the North Country. Deep fried with beer batter. Been years since I had them. So good.

I haven't tasted our Pacific Coast Surf Smelt yet, but I would like to think the taste is somewhat like Alaska's Smelt.  I like mine battered then fried.  Yummy!  Eat them freshly fried and they melt in your mouth.  I kid you not.

Looks awesome Yester! Making me hungry!

I haven't tasted our Pacific Coast Surf Smelt yet, but I would like to think the taste is somewhat like Alaska's Smelt.  I like mine battered then fried.  Yummy!  Eat them freshly fried and they melt in your mouth.  I kid you not.

Looks awesome Yester! Making me hungry!

I'll be glade to share some next time I get some.

They do look de-lish; but they're small fish with small bones, right?  Are the bones a problem, or do they peel out easily, like a cooked trout?  Livin' on the coast, and never had smelt; looking forward to trying them, thanks to you. 

They do look de-lish; but they're small fish with small bones, right?  Are the bones a problem, or do they peel out easily, like a cooked trout?  Livin' on the coast, and never had smelt; looking forward to trying them, thanks to you. 

The bones are not a problem.  Just fry them and you can eat them without any problem. 

Dang!  Looks way good!

eat them from head to tail. they are so tasty.

I caught some giants surf fishing had to be 20" at least doubt u could eat those bones lol

Those look tasty, Ive only had fried smelt twice but darn are they good

Mmm i want smelt fries

I caught some giants surf fishing had to be 20" at least doubt u could eat those bones lol

Jacksmelt - different animal

A beer & fried smelt at Duartes in Pescadero  -Oh yeah.  Perfect ending to a day fishing The Bean

You're speaking my language. Those tasty little dudes + some siracha-lime mayo + an ice cold Scrimshaw ... divine !