Salmon in Longview

[NE33]

I am going to Longview, WA next week for work and was seeking any advice for Salmon fishing there.  I have only bankfished the Clearwater out of Lewiston, using a slip bobber, maribou jig, and shrimp setup.  I found a couple places on the Cowlitz that im going to try, any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[plunker01]

If your gonna drift fish I would check out blue creek. It might be a little crowded but most drift fisherman usually fish above the mouth of the toutle. But below the toutle you'll probabaly have better luck plunking with a spin glo and sandshrimp or prawn/coon shrimp and rig a stopper about 18 inches above ur lead and slide down a flat fish, mag lip or a cut plug herring on top. Good spots below the toutle are camelot, hoyer and cook road are all off west side highway toward caslte rock and have a lot of good places to fish from the bank. Also stop in at bobs sporting goods and they are more then happy to give you fish reports on where fish are being caught and what to use for whatever method u choose to fish. Hope this helps and good luck.

[NE33]

Thanks!  I was going to try the Cowlitz River by Barrier Dam, do you know if that is a good spot? I am going to be bankfishing.

[plunker01]

Usually I stay around castle rock when I fish the cowlitz. I know a lot of drift fisherman fish up at barrier and do well but ive never fished it. Cus I do more plunking from the bank t hen drift fishing

[Dutchie]

I live in the area,  and the cowlitz water volume is so low that the majority of the fish are holding at the mouth/ carrols slue.  Its been a slow year for most cowlitz anglers, might be afew steelies in the river.  Try plunking at county line with coon stripe shrimp and orange and black tiger spin glo.  Youll mostly pick up steelies but the occasional nooker will hit it too. I put 16 steelies on my punch card and lost twice as many.  Go to the big river and plunk outgoing tide.  If your stuck on drifting, head west on ocean beach hwy. Towards long beach.  Fish theon rocks at mill creek.Drift coon stripes or prawns 4-5' under a slip bobber, be patient itll pay off.

[NE33]

Well i will give it a try and hopefully bring some fish home, thanks for the info