[riverdog]

I'm heading out that way this weekend, on my way to White Pass. Can you clue me in on where you went? Did you float or wade? I don't have a suitable boat this weekend, so I'm confined to wading. Any suggestions on where to go for the SRCs? I'm definitely not interested in the combat fishing that's going on lower down.

Thanks for any info.

Andrew

 

[Peter Pancho]

I was in a boat and floated down and casted under brush and trees. Thats where all the big ones are. When water levels are low, around 3000 cfs, you can wade pretty far with the water only reaching up as high as your ribs, but the water is slow. Start around the boat launch and walk left and some distance to the right. Other areas I'm really not sure of. When waters are high, practice your roll casting with rubber legged black stone fly nymphs, #8 and #10s if you want to try for Steelhead. Good luck!

"Follow Me and I will make you fishers of Men"
Matthew 4:19

 

[Steve Buckner]

Just got back from a trip to the Cowlitz and had a truly fantastic time with Sea-Runs. The fish are in the river in good numbers and the average size fish is 15-18 inches. My wife and I were able to catch and release 18 fish in the last hour and 1/2 of light.

The river is virtually empty of people right now in the sections above I-5. There are still good numbers of fresh steelhead moving through the river but Tacoma Power and Light has been dropping the flows from 4500 during the week to about 2800 on the weekends making the bite slower.

We had good luck using a rolled-mudler. The fish wanted the fly retrieved in short quick 3 inch strips. The fish would usually hit during the brief hesitation before your next strip. The take was HARD!!! You gotta love the strike from these fish.

I've tried to upload a picture of one of the fish with the fly. (The picture is 14K so I hope it's not too big to download. I appologize in advance if it's too slow.)

Skinny

 

[Peter Pancho]

WOW, you have a sweet Cowlitz sea-run cutthrout there! We fished for these most of the month of Sept last year. Sept is the time for the Giant Caddis! I used #8 yellow stimulators and terranasties. Its amazing the Cowlitz cutthrouts take such huge flies. Here is a small pic. :EEK