Hot Fishing During the Smelt Run

The Moose River's annual smelt run provided fast action for our party on Saturday May 5th. Using sewed smelts, leadcore and sinking fly line, we boated over 50 Lake trout and landlocked salmon at the mouth of the Moose River Rainbow smelts were all over the place and so were the fish, the trick is to sew the smelt so it has a slight bend in it and to troll at a very slow speed. Rather than chase the healthy smelt, fish key in on those that are wounded and on a "death spin". They can't resist, since it takes less energy for them to get a meal. Fishing these smelt runs is usually some of the fastest fishing of the year, so get ot there before the runs are over.