Bank Fishing the Cowlitz

[1000rrelkman]

This is our first spring in WA and would like any help we could get on bank fishing the Cowlitz.  We fished the skookumchuck in March and saw some fish and had one on, but didn't land any.  I've been looking for information and it looks like the Blue Creek Boat Launch is an area to try? 

Thanks

[Bofire]

Blue Creek and the Barrier Dam are good, and crowded sometimes. There are places to "plunk", if you are driving that far the Kalama is not that far and good bank fishing right near the freeway. Chehalis  has some good spots also.
Carl

[Blacktail Sniper]

Shoot sthd system a PM on here, he lives in Kelso and is semi-retired and fishes the Cowlitz from the bank alot, and does fairly well. 

He is always up to find a new guppy as he calls them to train...just be aware, he loves to hear the sound of his own voice!

On a side note though, all his stories will be new ones to you, for awhile anyway... 

[stevemiller]

Anyone having any luck here yet?

[jasonl84]

I plunk the Cowlitz here in longview most the time. Never catch anything but short patience i believe is to blame. Hear about people catching all the time. 

[Bigshooter]

I like the mission boat launch for springers.

[1000rrelkman]

Thanks for all the replies.  I'll try the p.m. 
We went to Blue Creek Launch yesterday afternoon.  Decent crowd and boats, but didn't see anyone catch anything.  Fish were rolling in middle.

My son tried plunking and I tried a drift set up.  We've fished Hatteras, FL, and Louisiana for many years with great success.  It's hard to understand the rigging here in WA.

The drift set up was like what was on the back of the package.  I'm assuming that you want the sinker a pencil type lead to bounce down the river?  Was getting hung up and broke off twice.

Thanks
James

[thegeneral]

Thanks for all the replies.  I'll try the p.m. 
We went to Blue Creek Launch yesterday afternoon.  Decent crowd and boats, but didn't see anyone catch anything.  Fish were rolling in middle.

My son tried plunking and I tried a drift set up.  We've fished Hatteras, FL, and Louisiana for many years with great success.  It's hard to understand the rigging here in WA.

The drift set up was like what was on the back of the package.  I'm assuming that you want the sinker a pencil type lead to bounce down the river?  Was getting hung up and broke off twice.

Thanks
James

If you only broke off twice you either weren't fishing very long or you weren't doing it right. Bring lots of gear.

[fishnfur]

That's drift fishing that you are doing.  It's fun, but you will lose lots of gear. 

For plunking, I'd hit the lower Cow.  Try the section below Camelot Dr. below Castle Rock on the west side - there's around a half mile of public access. Try a 8 oz. pyramid sinker on a 1-2 foot dropper below a spin and glow with eggs/yarn/shrimp  (1 foot leader ) on a 3-way swivel/dropper loop/spreader bar or similar - cast it out slightly downstream into deeper water but not too far off the bank and let it find a hold on the bottom.  Take a flatfish type plug (K-13 possibly or smaller) on a snap swivel - hang the snap on your mainline nd slide it down to the point that you feel it is fishing a couple feet above the bottom.  A second swivel on the mainline with a bead will stop it at the height you want it to fish above the bottom.  Put the rod in a holder, pull up a chair and sit on your butt. 

This rig should give you a decent shot at a springer or a steelhead.  Look for other fishermen and ask questions if you are in doubt about rigging.  Many different ways to set it up.  Most locals will help you out if you are nice.

[1000rrelkman]

Thanks very much fishnfur.  We will give that a try.  Would the access be off the Cook Ferry Road?
Thanks

[Bofire]

 :)for your drop sinker use the hollow tube lead, cut to length and it slips of your line if you snag it. instead of breaking.
Carl

[1000rrelkman]

Thanks Bofire, we are also in Yelm.  But CBR1000rr instead of Harley. 

[HntnFsh]

Take a left off Westside his at. Down through Camelot. Go down to where you can see the little park area below castle rock on the opposite side of the river. From there on down is decent fishing area.

[snocohunter]

If you're fishing near the launch, especially above it, it's going to be really hit and miss. Below the launch there is a trail, and also in the far corner of the parking lot. It takes you to blue creek and if you want to really hike like a billy goat you can get down to the wall. Faster water down there and usually fish cannon balls, but pencil lead if I you can still get a good bounce out of it. If you hook up with someone who fishes it you'll learn more in a few hours than you'd figure out in a few days on your own. When I used to fish it more it was rare to come home without a fish between a buddy and me.

[1000rrelkman]

Does the Cowlitz close down like the Columbia or does it remain open?

Thanks
James

[thegeneral]

Remains open, always check the regulations.