Cowlitz Summer Run Steelhead

Cowlitz Steelheading From a Boat

Transported Fish : Since the dams on this river have no fish ladders, some fish that return to the hatchery are loaded into a tanker truck & transported above the Cowlitz falls dam. These are mostly "natural" fish, meaning that they are fish that the adipose fin was not clipped when they were fry before being released.

Others are recycled downstream one time, to allow the sportsmen a chance to catch these surplus fish before they are donated to the food banks. Doing this only once, provides more fishing opportunity while still providing quality fish for the food bank.

Here the tanker truck is dumping some Steelhead at the Mission Bar boat launch 5-19-2011 to be recycled.

Where? : In the water obviously, but you need to remember that Steelhead are different than salmon & tend to favor shallower water & usually nearer the banks. Even right in the brush.

A larger fish will usually also be smarter, & will try to get into shallower water or near logs / outcroppings & snag the sinker, thereby breaking off.

In using a boat, position it to the side of the desired drift away from the shore enough to still be able to cast right near shore, cast out & upstream at about a 45 degree angle toward the shore, allow the bait to drift the same speed as the boat. This as described is called "side drifting". These fish will follow the bait if it is drifting in a natural situation, all the while eating it. Do not set the hook on first nibble, allow them to follow all the while mouthing the eggs. Let them have the bait until they finally take it. Wait until the rod tip goes down before you set the hook. Hook size will vary depending on the time of the year. Number 2 to # 2/0 are the normal size except for the low clear water of the summer run, where you may have to go down to a #6.

When these fish are in the river, they will be about anywhere throughout the system. Fishing can be from the barrier dam down to Castle Rock. One good starting spot would be the I-5 launch. There is some good drifts below there all the way down to Castle Rock.

Spring Run: You may consider March thru May the time to be on the water for these fish. This type of fishing would be very similar to "Winter run" fishing as the water flow may be anywhere from 12,000 to 9,000 CFPS. This is when Tacoma Power at Riffe Lake will be dumping water, trying to guess how much snowpack is melting & how much rain is coming down. Then in about June, the flow will be lower as they are trying to fill Riffe lake.

Bait is usually salmon roe. However sometimes sand shrimp are the ticket.

Also from about mid April thru the end of May, you will encounter Spring Chinook salmon here. So rods & gear should be heavy enough to handle either.

Summer Run: Best time to fish the summer run fishery seems to traditionally start the middle of July. Fish will usually be there mid-spring, but the for a high enough concentration of numbers to make the trip worthwhile this is about the timing. Some years there may be enough in the river to start fishing the middle of June. This fishery will continue on into the time that fall Chinook start showing. Taking a Chinook on this lighter steelhead gear can be exciting. However watch the fishing regulations as some years Chinook season is closed.

Rods should be long & light, some are made on 9-10’ fly rod blank with spinning reel handles. Standard size trout spinning reels are used, as you are in a boat & can chase a large one.

Line is the hi visibility monofilament. This helps to tell where your line enters the water, especially helpful for older fishermen with somewhat failing eyesight. Many guides choose this Hi Visibility line which helps them watch their clients lines, which he usually will detect your bite before you do. Line weight will be 8#, with leader size to be 6#. Leader length to be between 36” and 48”.

Later when the water is low & gin clear, the lures may get smaller, could be puff balls which add a slight floatation & imitate bugs. Scent can be a beneficial attractant also.

Hooks in this clear water can be #6 Vision, bait will be salmon roe cluster with a size no larger than your thumb nail.

Tie a small black swivel between line & leader, above this put a plastic sinker slider on the mainline. Sliders are made from the plastic tubing used for greenhouse watering. The sinker should slide on the mainline, & not be tied to the swivel. Sinkers will be ¼” lead about 1 1/8” long. The sinkers press lightly into the plastic slider. This allows you to change weights quickly if needed.

Steelhead when hooked probably will head for faster water & you may have to drift downriver a mile before you land one.

Chinook, if they are hooked using this gear will usually stay close & head for the hole near there.

Winter Run: Winter Steelhead will use basically the same set-up but usually with a small corky added to the eggs. The water covered may be different as the visibility will be less & the flow usually is more, which shifts the fish into a different pattern. They will usually be at the edge of a seam, or behind a rock or log which affords them some protection of from the full force of the river.

This limit of winter Steelhead was taken on a COLD January day of 2005	How's this for a first time Steelheader January 2010 I think he is now addicted.

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Originated 06-08-01, Last updated 05-20-2011
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