Cowlitz trip?

[Navyhunter]

Okay, Fellas....here it comes.
     I've been fishing the cowlitz frequently since October when the silvers came in.  (I caught 1, my wife caught 1 and then we went with a guide and she caught a king)
     I need help and I'm wondering if anyone is willing to teach me some things.  It's one thing to type a response to posts and have someone try to learn to fish in that manner (I'm thankful for all the responses and comments, don't get me wrong), but it's quite another to physically SHOW someone the "correct" way to do things.  I say "correct" because there are so many different ways fishermen do business out there.

     So, if anyone is planning a trip to the Cowlitz (because I live 10 minutes from it) and doesn't mind showing a beginner a few things, send me a PM.  I just want to learn to fish this river, and the easiest way for me, personally to learn, is to see someone/something.....I haf a hord tym reedin instructions on how to do things.   

  Thanks!
    Aaron

[huntnphool]

Hey Aaron, I hit the Cowlitz a few times a year, I will let you know the next time I come down and maybe you can meet us.

[Hangfire]

The best way to learn the Cowlitz is with a guide, but expensive.  The next best is to get there and watch what the others are doing.

I am assuming that you are wanting to catch steelhead.  The best areas are below the steelhead hatchery/Blue creek and Barrier dam. Both crowded when fishing is good. 

If you have a boat there are isolated spots that can produce, otherwise fight the crowds.

Winter steelhead do not hit the plugs like summers do, bait is best.
Most of the guides use light leaders, eggs with light lead and free drift.
I lived on the Cowlitz for 14 years, but left in 2001.  I used a drift boat had  little winter steelhead success myself, so many jet sleds and I would not fish with the crowds.  My wife and riders caught winters while I worked the boat.

You might get hold of DadBear, he is familiar with the river, but I can not speak for him.
This used to be the peak of the winter fishing.  The program has been changing to more of the late winters.  They are bigger, but also in, spawn and out rapidly.

In the fall don't bypass the searun cutts excellent fishery, nice fish and you will pick up a summer fishing for them.
 

[Navyhunter]

That's what I've been trying to do, talk to guys, watch them, ask questions, that sort of thing.  I'll get it eventually, it's just a matter of time.
Talked to a guide tonight, gave me a pretty good deal because I've used him before, but can't go out with him until the funds are in the budget.... in 15 days.  Not sure how good it'll be by then but at least he'll be able to show me a few things and maybe catch a fish or two.
Thanks again, fellas!  I appreciate any and all advice.

[Hangfire]

What guide are you talking to?

[Navyhunter]

Bob Sommers.

[WASHBCBOOK]

If you take any of his info your a fool that guy dont
really know how to fish he`ll take your$$ and no fish
by the way did youcatch fish with him not a god guide

[Navyhunter]

As far as the guide goes, we've had silvers on, my wife landed a big king that was spawned out.  Due to OUR inexperience (or the fishes experience) were weren't able to boat any of them. 

[kbyers]

Washbcbook, sounds like you had a bad experience, care to elaborate on your experience?  It is in bad taste to bad mouth a guide if your only basis for the negativity is not catching fish.  There is a reason it is called fishing and not catching

[Navyhunter]

 

[snocohunter]

We've hit it a few times and done pretty good. If you live that close, you should be able to get there in time to nab a spot just down from the launch. We were driftin one peach and one white with orange spotted corkie and did well there early december. Went a couple days ago and fished blue creek and only saw 4 fish hooked all day. I've heard from the old timers that it would be wise to fish from jan 15th on. If you go with a guide and don't catch fish somethin must be wrong. I watch them nail fish all day long even when it's slow they get somethin.

[Hangfire]

Up until the last few years the bulk of the winter steelhead catch was before Jan. 15Th. There has been a change to more late winters planted.  These fish are Feb.-March fish.  The catch on them was never close to the December- 1st part of Jan. fishery.

The guide catch more fish per hour than nonguides but they have there off days also.  I have seen plenty of guides get skunked. Sometimes, but rare I have seen regular fisherman catch more.

There is a big difference between guides, some very good and some almost criminal.

Clancy Holt and crew used to be very productive. I don't know if he is still fishing. They come and go.

[Bigshooter]

Up until the last few years the bulk of the winter steelhead catch was before Jan. 15Th. There has been a change to more late winters planted.  These fish are Feb.-March fish.  The catch on them was never close to the December- 1st part of Jan. fishery.

The guide catch more fish per hour than nonguides but they have there off days also.  I have seen plenty of guides get skunked. Sometimes, but rare I have seen regular fisherman catch more.

There is a big difference between guides, some very good and some almost criminal.

Clancy Holt and crew used to be very productive. I don't know if he is still fishing. They come and go.

Clancy is top notch, but i'm not sure if he guides anymore or not?  Andy Coleman is a helluva guide on the cowlitz right now.

[ppodpearson]

Clancy and his boy still guide. Used him a couple months ago, nobody else was catching much, but we picked up a few silvers, had a lot of hits. He has a website at http://www.clancysfishing.com/ .

Navyhunter - sending you an e-mail on info source.

[Navyhunter]

Thanks ppodpearson!

[huntnphool]

Anyone been fishing it? With all this rain its about the only river that you can still fish.

[fishcrazy]

Anyone been fishing it? With all this rain its about the only river that you can still fish.

Might want to add the Lewis to that.

My guide buddy has been doing very well with nearly 10 fish hooked per trip on the Lewis. The otherday he sent me pics of the 2 biguns of the day. A solid 21# and a 16#. Water is up and few boats know how to get them but he's on them. He's slow right now and looking to book some trips.

Kris

[SW Blacktail]

On your way to the Cowlitz, stop by the Ethel store on Hwy 12.  If you are lucky my friend Don Huntley will be in there, he is by far the best guide on the Cowlitz..he knows it inside out.  He catches fish when other guides don't and they tend to follow him around on the river, been with him on many occasions to witness it.  If he's at the store you can pick his brain, he has forgotten more about steelhead fishing on the Cowlitz then most guides know and likes to help out the new guy.