There are far too few smelt returning to the Cowlitz River, and for the first time in five years there will be no dipping, state fish and wildlife biologists announced Friday.

Many men in waders, with long dip nets slung over their shoulders and buckets in hand, made their way down the steep hill to the banks of the river near Fishers Lane in Kelso Saturday morning.

Smelt dipping and tasting will be on for two evenings in Lewiston this year. The Annual Smelt Dip and Fry, which the Niagara River Anglers Association (NRAA) had held for decades on a Friday evening ...