Washington fishing update 3/3/07

Washington Fishing Update

SW Washington – Heavy precipitation has had the best SW Washington streams too high to expect good results. The North Fork of the Lewis River is one of the better options and a few wild fish have succumbed to plugs. When flows drop closer to 5,500 CFS, success will improve. The Cowlitz is not a good option.

Smelt dippers finally found results on the one-day Saturday opener last week. Although temperatures are likely to drop again in the near future, dippers should have another crack at spawning smelt this Saturday. Although few dippers managed their 10 pound limit, most did find success downstream of Lexington.

Pro guide Brandon McGavran (360-607-1327) reports, "I fished on the N. Fork Lewis last weekend. It was cold and rainy and the water conditions weren't great but we managed to catch 1 native and had 2 other fish on that we lost close to the boat both of which were native as well.
The Lewis is up at 8,500 FPS and clarity has been a problem all winter. The river is green but has a glacial milky ness and at best there is about 1.5 ft visibility on a good day. Back trolling plugs is the best option in these conditions. Ideal flows here are 5,500 FPS and under. Definitely need the rain to stop.

The water temp on the Columbia at I-5 is currently 41.5 degrees (but dropping) with plenty of visibility.

I am looking forward to getting out this Friday for an early spring Chinook. I will be fishing just below the I-5 bridge on the Columbia since the water downstream is muddy because of the Willamette. Hoping the rain stops and Willamette clears so I can get downstream to fish at Kalama/Goble to Rainer when the good tides come mid March. It's going to be good earlier then later again this year (I think).