Cowlitz stealhead

[ridgefire]

Anybody have a report of how the river is fishing? Hoping to head down there one of these weekends.

[87Ford]

Well, a whopping seven winter-runs were recovered last week at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator, so probably still a bit early..

https://www.mytpu.org/tacomapower/fish-wildlife-environment/cowlitz-fish-report.htm

[HntnFsh]

Actually Ive heard reports of decent fishing at Blue creek. I saw about 6 trailers in the lot a week ago Friday. Last Friday the trailer parking slots were full. Should tell you something.

[HntnFsh]

I know a guy that's 2 for 3 from the bank in the last 2 days! That's pretty good fishing!

[BigGoonTuna]

Actually Ive heard reports of decent fishing at Blue creek. I saw about 6 trailers in the lot a week ago Friday. Last Friday the trailer parking slots were full. Should tell you something.

yeah, that there isn't enough water in the wynoochee to fit their guide barges!

[HntnFsh]

Actually Ive heard reports of decent fishing at Blue creek. I saw about 6 trailers in the lot a week ago Friday. Last Friday the trailer parking slots were full. Should tell you something.

yeah, that there isn't enough water in the wynoochee to fit their guide barges!

Apparently they dont like the snow. Or they cleaned the river out. Only 3 trailers at Blue creek this morning.

[2MANY]

Hope you took your top.

[ridgefire]

Sounds like they are getting some fish down there. Anybody been out recently?

[fowl smacker]

https://www.mytpu.org/tacomapower/fish-wildlife-environment/cowlitz-fish-report.htm
2 steelhead last week.  Things are picking up!

[Bigshooter]

https://www.mytpu.org/tacomapower/fish-wildlife-environment/cowlitz-fish-report.htm
2 steelhead last week.  Things are picking up!

I wouldn't worry about numbers in the hatchery unless you want to be late to the party.

[fowl smacker]

https://www.mytpu.org/tacomapower/fish-wildlife-environment/cowlitz-fish-report.htm
2 steelhead last week.  Things are picking up!

I wouldn't worry about numbers in the hatchery unless you want to be late to the party.

To some extent I agree, but there is not a good return coming back right now, and it's not because they're all being caught before they get there.  I'd guess that less than 50% of returning fish are "biters" (I'm just judging from my fishing experience and from what I've seen).  I'm not saying you can't catch some fish when the weekly return is at 2, but it isn't good fishing by any means. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Most of the rivers I've looked at recently have had really low flow for the past month or so.  Maybe they're waiting for rain, maybe they don't exist....with WDFW I lean more toward the latter.

[michaelcx38]

  the rivers have been looking more like streams lately. hoping some fresh rain next week will help spur em a bit.

[WSU]

People would be catching more fish if they were coming.  It might not be lights out, but people would find them.  In years past, at this flow, fishing can be pretty darn good if the fish are coming in numbers.

[JakeLand]

We’ve been hooking a few the last 2 weekends not hot yet !!

[buckhorn2]

Wonder if all the sea lions above kelso after smelt could have something to do with the returns.