Perceived odour of fish (5)

I believe the answer is:

smelt

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'fish' is the definition.
(I know that smelt is a type of fish)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for smelt that I've seen before include "Extract (metal) from ore by heat" , "Sniffed - fish" , "was whiffy" , "sensed as fishy?" , "whiffed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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