The B-run of winter-fun (sic) steelhead are finally starting to show up in numbers on the Cowlitz River. I talked to a few guides that had some great luck this weekend (and we all know “luck” has more to do with knowledge and preparation than the favor of the fickle Lady Luck). The boats weren’t limiting out in a fast ... Read More »

They’ve been calling this “The Year of the BIG Steelhead.” The B-run of the winter-run steelhead generally run larger than the fish in the early run, that’s a well-known fact. The early run of the winter-run steelhead normally range between 6 and 10 pounds, a big fish in the late run is usually around 15 pounds. This year they are ... Read More »

Last week Tacoma Power recovered just six winter-run steelhead, 17 coho adults and four jacks during five days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator. Last week’s count was 12 winter-run steelhead and the week before that 24 steelhead came through the separator. The count has gone nowhere but down over the last several weeks. We are still looking for ... Read More »

Last week Tacoma Power recovered just 12 winter-run steelhead and five coho adults at the separator. Yup. Seventeen fish. As I walked the banks near Barrier Dam and down at Blue Creek Saturday afternoon I only heard rumors of one steelhead caught at each site that morning. The only fish that I actually saw were the several cutthroat trout hanging ... Read More »

COWLITZ RIVER — For those of you that think of a good days fishing and instantly recall hot summer days spent kicked back in a row boat on a lake with a lazy attitude and six-pack of cold beer, quietly drinking in the scenery and not really caring whether you go home with anything more than a deeper tan — ... Read More »

COWLITZ RIVER — Perhaps you have finished your holiday shopping, sent all the cards you intend to send, decorated your house with lights and wreaths, and have even started to partake in holiday cheer by sharing the love of the season with friends and family. Not me. I haven’t even begun any of my holiday chores. Not one. Nothing. I’ve ... Read More »

An opportunity to actively participate in a study for WDFW and USGS?  Good news. A second chance at catching a steelie? Best. News. Ever. I intend to follow up on this story in greater detail, slated for publication the first week in July. If you catch one of these tagged fish, give me a call: 360-269-5017 — after you call fish biologist Chris ... Read More »

WARNING: Fish Porn Ahead (Proceed with care, all ye Afflicted & Addicted Steelhead Anglers, the following may cause tremors, shortness of breath, weakness of the knees, and then incite you to gear up and join the battle at Washington State’s premier combat fishery.) The Cowlitz River has dropped to from 11,000 cfs (Wednesday) to 9,400 cfs (Thursday) and tonight sits at 7,100 ... Read More »

Angler reports of success are good to above average in the stretch of the Cowlitz River from the boat launch at Blue Creek to the mouth of the creek. Bank anglers are offering a bobber and jig tipped with sand shrimp on the flats, corky and yarn in the fast water near the mouth of the Blue Creek. “There were ... Read More »

On Friday the 13th I hopped in river fishing guide Steven Bean’s 17′ Willie’s drift boat (see feature article in The Chronicle, Jan. 19, 2012) at the Barrier Dam boat launch and we made the six-mile journey to Blue Creek, looking for a winter-run steelhead. The following is the rest of the story … There isn’t particularly spectacular about this ... Read More »