Twanoh State Park on Hood Canal waterfront — 6/27/1948 — #L32R32F12_1
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Photograph Copyright Anderson & Middleton Company
United States — Washington (State)
Hood Canal
An aerial view by Stan Spiegle.
Thanks to Sam Talley, who notes: "Twanoh State Park, with one of the warmest saltwater beaches in the state, is located at Union on State Route 106 on Hood Canal. In the late fall/winter the surf smelt which remain in saltwater during spawning (unlike the Columbia River smelt which spawns in fresh water) come to Hood Canal. The small fish congregate along pea gravel shorelines to spawn all along the Canal and ball or vibrate in unison causing the release of eggs and sperm. Fishermen use long poles with small nets on the ends to gather the balling smelt. There are many excellent spots along the Canal to fish for them. The fishermen line up shoulder to shoulder with their nets resting in the water waiting for the smelt to ball. When they do, the nets scoop them up. Since the 1990's when the Columbia River (Cowlitz River) smelt runs have mysteriously all but disappeared, the Hood Canal 'smelting' has become very popular. The catches are less plentiful though."
