Cowlitz River Fishing

Winter steelhead , Hymer said the early run came in at about half the size of last year's run.  One bright spot was the Cowlitz River, where 1,800 fish returned compared to 850 last year.  "We weren't sure whether this year's run was strong, or just early," Hymer said.  "The escapement numbers indicated it was just early."

He remains hopeful that the late run to the Cowlitz and Kalama rivers, which usually peaks in February, will make a better showing.  Fishing is already starting to pick up on the Kalama, where anglers have been averaging a few steelhead per boat.  "There are still early hatchery winter fish being caught, but the wild fish are starting to show in the catch, with a couple of nice fish in the upper teens reported," said Chris Wagemann, another WDFW fish biologist.  "The late hatchery or winter brood fish are contributing to the catch and should continue with the wild fish into April."

Hymer reminds anglers that all wild steelhead with an intact adipose fin must be released.  That is also the case with chinook salmon on the Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis rivers, although marked hatchery chinook may now be retained in those water, as described in the Fishing in Washington regulation pamphlet. "There aren't a lot of spring chinook around just yet, but reeling in a keeper hatchery fish could definitely brighten up someone's day," Hymer said.

Best Regards,
Capt. Jerry Brown
Columbia River Fishing
http://www.columbia-river-fishing-guide.com
206-920-2428