Cowlitz River fishing

[Bofire]

  I am looking to book a trip on the Cowlitz for Salmon or Steelhead. I would like to go one on one or one on two max. I have never done this before. I want to learn new technique get some advice and of course catch a fish. I want the Cowlitz as I can get to it easily on my own and parts of it I can fish with my boat.
Do I want a jet sled trip or drift boat?
Do you know a guide?

Thanks
Carl

[_TONY_]

You want a sled trip with Clancy Holt...

[WSU]

Phil Stephens hands down.  Great guy and you will learn a lot.  Also, it depends on what you want to do.  In the fall, Holt if you want to hover fish and Stephens if you want to side drift.  What technique is it that you want to learn?

[Bofire]

WSU, I do not know the difference. thanks for teh reply
Carl

[bullcanyon]

Go with Ron Holt. He's the hottest guide on the river lately.

[WSU]

Hover fishing involves dropping your weight and bait to the bottom, reeling up a crank or two, and sitting there until the salmon eats your bait.  It is done in deep holes and the boat hovers (hence the name) over the hole not moving much.  Side drifting you cast your weight and bait out next to the boat and drift down river at roughly the same speed as your bait.  You feel the weight bounce down river and feel for the bite.  Gear is much lighter. 

[WSU]

Also, what parts do you want to fish on your own and what for?

[Bofire]

 :)Likely the lower river, for anything that swims pretty much. My boat is a Lund WC14, almost 80 inches wide and deep, 15 hp yamaha. so no rapids or real fast currents. A guy took me before in the lower area in a 16 foot drift boat and small outboard, maybe the mouth of the river.
I like light tackle fishing and prefer to be moving BUT I'll do anything that works!!!
Thanks to all for the help.
Carl.

[WSU]

Not sure either will do what matches what you will be doing.  Both fish upriver in areas that pretty much require a sled.

[Bofire]

 :)Oh well still sounds like fun to me!!