URB!

[Mfowl]

Headed down to Longview today to fish for fall chinook on the lower Columbia. Fishing was good considering how early it still is. My brother got a dime bright 25lber, I had a solid takedown and my buddy had several drivebys. We saw atleast 20 fish caught between our hogline and the next ones above and below us. Some guys had multiple hook ups, others had none.We were in 50 fow with wobblers at 5' and 5'. Overall good day and a great start to the fall run! Gonna get better from here on out! Good luck to those who make it out!

[Smokepole]

Nice job mfowl.  It's great to see salmon fishing on a come back.  Hopefully your bro will give you a slab off that hog.

[bowhunterforever]

Nice fish

[bearpaw]

Nice fish

   sweet

[Smossy]

Awesome fish, Cant wait to hook into some big kings in the nisqually this year.

[Hunterman]

Nice fish  Wouldn't mind a cooler full of those.      

Hunterman(Tony)

[Mfowl]

I was sure pleased to have some action in the boat and all around us! My last 2 attempts on the Sound have drawn blanks. We talked to some guys at the ramp that got a 30lber. I am chompin at the bit to get back there and give it another go! Dang new job gettin in the way!  Why didn't I stay on unemployment just a while longer?  stupid responsibilities! 

[mainer78]

Do you have to hog line down there or can you still troll..   Just don't have the anchor system for the boat yet.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

That makes me hungry!

[Mfowl]

Hey Mainer, yiu can troll in the Cowlitz mouth. Most guys use small spinners in red, orange and chartreuse, solid or metallic combos. It pays to have a variety. You can also troll plugs like wiggle warts and small kwikfish/flatfish. Use a 5' leader and an 18" dropper to an appropriate weight, 4oz or more depending on current and depth. It can get pretty crowded in the Cowlitz mouth so you should use enough weight to get your line vertical below you boat. Trolling is most popular on the incoming tide. Alot of guys will troll until the tide starts going out and then move to their anchor spot. However there are guys who troll all day regardless of the tide. Watch your fishfinder and your surroundings as the sand bars at the Cowlitz mouth are constantly shifting from year to year. A few passes around the area and you'll get an idea of your troll path. Lastly keep your gear near the bottom as you'll mark the fish there. Both salmon and steelhead can be caught on the same gear. Good luck if you try it, just expect a crowd!

[hunt_fish]

Nice fish, can't wait for mid-September to hook into those hogs up at Vernita.

[bullcanyon]

I guess i should try it. Just have a hard time swallowing that I might hook a few fish there when I know I'll hook over a dozen at b10. Must be something to it.  A pile of you guys fish that area.  What's the draw compared to Astoria?

[Mfowl]

The draw for me is its not as far to go as buoy 10 and the fish have a tendency to be on the big side. I come down from the Seattle area so its easier to fish for a weekend or even a day as this last trip was. I don't know buoy 10 very well at all plus my boat is a tad small (16') to handle the big wind/water that can come up there. I also really enjoy anchor fishing, spring, summer and fall! It can be maddeningly boring but when its good I enjoy it the most of any fishing I do. It can be stressful dropping in and pulling anchor in a tight hogline but once your set and fishing it becomes very relaxing vs fighting wind and current and other boats while trying to troll. I also like fishing next to the other boats,  you can learn alot and have some good conversation with your neighbors. Lastly, its the best chance I have of anywhere I fish to get a 30 or even 40lb king. Tides aren't great for me to travel down to fish this weekend but I'll be back before the end of the month. Good luck if you try, I'll see ya out there!

[bullcanyon]

Well that makes a lot of sense than. If you want some help with b10 shoot me a pm and I'll try and help ya out.

Kris