Fly Fishing

Boz · Location: Portland

As a Fly Fishing Guide here in Maine I am often surprised to learn that many friends I fish with on a regular basis (like Jeremy Smile

) know very little about smelt.

What are Smelt?
There are a variety of smelt species worldwide the most important to fisherman here in the Northeast, and Maine specifically is the Freshwater Rainbow Smelt. Rainbow Smelt are a small silvery baitfish with a profile shape that bears a strong resemblance to an Atlantic Salmon. There coloration along their back is shades of green or grey that fades into subtle tones of lavender, blue, green or purple along the lateral line into a white underbelly. Mature smelt generally range from two-six inches in length in freshwater, and rarely grow larger.

What is their Life Cycle?
Smelt are best suited in big coldwater lakes and travel in school and reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years. After ice out when water temps reach above 40F smelt begin to travel up rivers and streams at night to spawn. Multiple male smelt will pair up with a female as they release small egg clusters while the male’s secrete their milt, the fertilized eggs drop and stick to streamside gravel or vegetation. This spawning ritual can go on for a few days or a few weeks depending on water conditions. Within a month after the spawn the small larvae hatch out and drop back to the lake where they will feed on plankton and grow to 1-2 inches long by summers’ end.

Why should you as a fisherman care?
Rainbow Smelt are widespread in Maine, and inhabit over 500 lakes alone. They make up an incredible amount of the forage base for a variety of species from Landlocked Salmon, to Lake Trout, Bass, Perch, etc. For me, it’s all about the importance of Rainbow Smelt as the favored forage for Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, and healthy populations of smelt are critical for these Salmon to truly thrive.

spector82 · Location: Biddeford ME

Without smelt in our Maine lakes the average size of salmon and brook trout collapse, last time my favorite local lakes smelt population crashed fish were rarely caught over 3 lbs., ...the lake came back due to the efforts of the lake anglers association smelt stocking program, and some of the largest salmon I have ever seen brought to net were the norm...(up to 10 lbs. +) The lake is on the decline again and the salmon are responding by adults losing weight and smolts not growing to full potential.

Smelt are the key!

AvidDavid · Location: Long Island, NY

I have spent some time in Maine, usually in the late summer, for the past half-century. Over the years, my longing to catch salmonids in Maine, has led to much information (and far too few fish); but, I think that Boz's post begins to get at a very important issue to those of us who wish to CATCH fish (not just go fishing or keep the salmonids alive). On a fly fishing site like F&F it is not a big surprise that we discuss things like insect hatches, and how to tie flies that imitate insects. When discussing fly hatches, we tend to know what species hatch at different times of year and what time of day we expect the action to begin. We can read books written by well-known fly fishermen (and women) who have devoted their lives to understanding insects that fish eat.

Hence my own biased Stereotype: Flyfishermen know insects! ' Shocked

'

BUT, I think that most of us suspect/agree/believe/know that larger fish prefer larger meals and will prefer small fish to insects in many circumstances (it just seems more energy efficient)... hence the focus on swinging streamers. While I have seen discussion about techniques for swinging streamers that imitate baitfish, I can't recall much emphasis on understanding behavior of baitfish. I'm not aware of books by flyfisherman about baitfish behavior and distribution.

Hence, my own second biased Stereotype: Flyfishermen don't know squat about baitfish! ' Embarassed

'

It makes a great deal of sense that if one wishes to catch large fish, one should learn more about baitfish. Boz, I have heard the following two tidbits from local friends in Maine:

1.) When you fish a hole, you will catch 1 or 2 chubs then you will catch a trout. (An old guy told me this one when I was about 12 years old... He was probably about the age I am now)

2.) You won't catch any salmon in that river... There aren't any smelt there! (A big fly fishing business man who happens to be a neighbor of my parents in south-central Maine told me that one a few years ago).

So, my point, (oh yeah, what was my point?)... The guy (or gal) who understands how the baitfish behave is likely to be more successful in catching the big fish. If you know where the chubs are, you are likely to find a few interested trout! If you know where the smelt are, you are likely to confront some salmon. Perhaps the converse is even more true. If you know where the baitfish are NOT, you will not find any salmonids (of size) there! I think that an important key to catching big fish is understanding the baitfish that they eat. Fishing is a game of percentages and I want to increase my chances of catching.

Boz you have provided the beginnings for an understanding of the life cycle and seasonal distribution patterns of the rainbow smelt. If you know where to look for the smelt, then you may find them. And your hopes of hooking a good salmon are next to nothing if you don't find the smelt.

We all would benefit by understanding more about baitfish (fresh and saltwater and not just restricted to Maine). Thanks for the start of what I believe will be a very useful discussion!

I think we must know more than we let on about baitfish. I have read Marshall DeMott's posts telling us that baitfish flee by swimming downstream! But what else do we know?

Boz · Location: Portland

David,
It does blow my mind how many fisherman here in Maine fish streamers regularly, but don't know as much about the bait they are imitating as they would about common insect hatches they regularly fish.

I was only hoping to "bullet-point" some key info on smelts. There are some really great resources online, as well as in print for those who like to dig deeper.

Spector I know you know the importance of the relationship between smelt and large landlocked salmon too and pay very close attention to the state of these fisheries and the cycles year to year. I've got some new flies in the works that I'm itching to put through some rigorous R&D this season as I'm sure you do too Smile

spector82 · Location: Biddeford ME