Cowlitz Summer Run Steelhead

Cowlitz Summer Run Steelheading from a Boat

Best time to fish this 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 regs. 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. Line weight will be 8#, with leader size to be 6#. Leader length to be between 36” and 48”.

Hooks to 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.

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

In use, position your boat off to the side of the desired drift, cast out & upstream, allow the bait to drift the same speed as the boat. 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. With this small hook they can not feel it, so when they do finally eat it, you have them.

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.

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.

Info taken from presentation given by guide fishing Joe Little at a SSPSA meeting