The weather has a significant impact on the smelt fishing season, and it is not always guaranteed to occur in any given year.
“Twenty years ago, you could count on being on until the end of February, first of March, and for the last eight, ten years, around there, it’s been lucky to make it to like the third week in February, sometimes even into the second,” Jim’s Camps Owner Jim McPherson stated.
According to Jim, the lack of enough ice for smelt fishing has made the last two years very difficult for local fishers. Fishing was practically difficult without the right ice, and many people were disappointed by the uncooperative weather.
This winter, however, is different. Jim and others in the area have been busier than ever as the temperatures have finally dropped enough to create the ice necessary for a successful fishing season.
Long a mainstay for those keen to try their hand at smelt fishing, Jim’s Camps is ready for the season.
To guarantee that anglers can maximize their time on the ice, they are provide all the equipment that is required. In order to keep fishermen warm while they fish, Jim’s Camps provides necessities like bait, hand jigs, and even fuel for the wood stoves.
The area is experiencing a renewed sense of excitement thanks to the correct equipment and ideal ice conditions.
Jim and his crew are witnessing an increase in activity as the cold weather and ice return, and they are prepared to assist anyone who are want to relive the excitement of smelt fishing.
It is a highly anticipated season for many in the community, and the camp has been a center of activity as people prepare to take advantage of the optimum ice conditions that have finally come.
“All of my stoves have flat tops, so people bring fry pans and they bring some corn meal or flour with them, a little bacon fat heat the pan up and sit right here and catch fish and eat them. There’s no better way to eat them. That’s when they’re the best,” McPherson stated.
On Wednesday, a number of fishermen were having a good time and preparing lunches beside the Cathance River.
“We end up having a meal or two, and basically my son does most of the cooking so it comes out perfect,” smelt fisherman Bill Bayek Jr stated.
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“We come here to catch smelt, but sometimes we don’t and sometimes we do. Basically, just everyone getting together, because I come here with my son, my daughter, and her husband and we have a really good time,” Bayek stated.
According to Bayek, a lousy day of smelt fishing is preferable to a productive day at work.
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