Ralf: My dad got ours from a local restaurant. The owner had a connection from our SW Ohio location up to Lake Erie, I guess. Anyway, he'd also know when the smelt were running, call Dad (and others, I assume) and ask, "how much ya want?" Next day the fresh smelt would be in my dad's hands. I never had the pleasure of going for them myself, as you did, but I certainly remember the pleasure of eating them;Mom fixed them just as you described your mother doing. Makes the mouth water, eh? And wouldn't a Masse of Hofbraeu go great with a mess of smelt ?? Dave