Cowlitz river report??

[crow360]

Thinking about heading down to the cowlitz this weekend and was wondering if anyone knew if they where catching steelhead.

[Bigshooter]

I have a few buddies that have been hitting it with boats around blue creek and they have been doing ok.  Not great but not bad.

[TheHunt]

Blue creek at the crack pipe is usually OK.   I did hear some BS about the barrior dam but I think that was BS as most fish are trying to get into the blue creek hatchery.  But I am only been fishing since last October.

[elkslayer069]

It was pretty good at blue crk couple weeks ago its slowed down this week and not as nice of fish

[Button Nubbs]

It was off the hook when we had the last high water. There's fish at bc 365 days a year

[huntnphool]

Its still running high at 10k/cfs

[Button Nubbs]

Yes it is...

[huntnphool]

 Dropped a bit today.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=14238000&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065

[TheHunt]

Always good to fish when the water is dropping.

[Button Nubbs]

It can be good when the water rises and stabilizes on dammed rivers such as the mother cow.

[steeleywhopper]

Do you guys tend to use heavier gear when bank fishing at Blue Creek or is your standard 8-12 rated rod and 12lb mainline ok? I was thinking about hitting it this weekend, but did not want to be undergunned as I have never fished there.

[TheHunt]

I have switch to the 10 lb main line and 8 lb leader.  99.999% of the people will be respectful of your light line if you get a fish on and they will reel in a help you.  But you always have that one who might be there.  So it is a gamble but if you go down with two or more folks with you that one person will usally back down.

But as I said most are nice and respectful. 

[Button Nubbs]

No need for light line right now, standard 12/10 should be fine.

[TheHunt]

I hate respooling for the some minor weight.   Since I have 10/8 that is what I would use.

BUT that brings up a great question:  How many spools do you run spooled up with what poundages?

[Button Nubbs]

I have 1 baitcaster spooled with 12 or 15 at all times and 1 spinning rod with 10 at all times. Everything else is spooled with braid!