Dip-netting for smelt along the California coast

Around 125 full-time fishermen engage in dip-netting for smelt along California's far-northern coast. Smelt fishing in the area has changed little since the 1800's, when Native Americans waited for birds to signal that smelt were present. The modern fishermen use A-frame dip-nets and rubber waders to hunt 7-10-in. surf smelt from Jun.-Sep. and 5-10-in. night smelt from Jan.-Jul. They catch an average of one million pounds annually, with the most successful fishermen earning $35,000-$50,000.