First summer run of the year!!!!

[Little John]

Me and the old man hit the Cowlitz this am for fathers day. Beautiful day on the river. Only one fish but great to get out with my dad for the morning. Hope the Cow gets a good return of summer runs this year!!

[Little John]

I'm trying to figure out this FREE-DRIFTING thing. Anyone have any tips for me. I really don't want to go with a guide to learn. Any tips would be great.

[fishcrazy]

I have found that it is sometimes cheaper to just hire a pro that is willing to teach you.  I have started to get the hang of it but just need more time to get it down. One thing it's not as easy as it looks.

Kris

[tmike]

If you can't figure out the free drifting thing off the bottom try putting a sandshrimp under a bobber and free float that through the slots. Try to keep all the drag of your line on top off the bobber. That's been known to work. Bobberdoggin! River level plays a role also.

[EastWaViking]

Were you fishing up by blue creek?

[rasbo]

sweet wish I didnt sell my lot down there

[Little John]

I put in at mission bar and fished down stream. Trying to stay away from the crowd. I don't want to piss anyone off being the monkey in the boat doing circles in the middle of the river.

[jimmyt]

what kind of problems are you having?

[huntnphool]

What works well on the Cowlitz for us is casting at a 45* up river from the boat. Try to keep the speed of the boat consitant with the speed of the bait, maintaining that 45* as you drift down river. It almost feels as though you are dragging the bait behind you. Use just enough weight to bounce the bottom every 10 feet or so. Of course your line weight will play a small role in how fast you need to drift the boat in conjunction with the bait. We use 10-12# mainline with 8# leader, when in a boat you don't need real heavy gear, you can just drift with the fish as you fight it. Make your drift through your slots, reel in and had back up river and start over. This has worked very well for us below Blue Creek. Just be aware of the other boats and bank fisherman, if you see someone with a hooked fish give them plenty of room, as you would appreciate if you were playing one.

[BigGoonTuna]

we fear change...still mostly park the boat down on the claybanks and drift fish.  hopefully it'll be a good season this year, we'll find out soon enough!

[Little John]

I have a hard time holding a line with the boat. It seems I start out at the top of the drift on the line I want and end up either on top of the water I want to be fishing or pulling the bait away from it.
I have a flat bottom sled and have been told they can be tough to hold a line, but I see guys using similar boats and holding it straight.

[huntnphool]

It just takes practice LJ, start out by just running the boat for your buddies. After you get it down you will be able to cast and drift right along with them.

[Little John]

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to hit in the am and try my luck. Thanks again

[Little John]

Thanks for the tips guys, We put 3 summers in the boat before 9 am. Not to bad for not knowing what I'm doing :chuckle
Going out this evening for another go at them. FUN FUN