SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington – Steelheaders are experiencing good catches after a long period of poor water conditions. The Kalama and Cowlitz Rivers are the best bets with bait producing good results for side-drifters. As flows drop, fish will become more receptive to plugs.

The Cowlitz is fast becoming a great late season option for steelheaders. With the new broodstock program on-line, late March and early April should produce good catches of quality sized steelhead. Plunkers were taking fair numbers of fish in the lower reaches while Blue Creek anglers were scoring on drifted baits.

Spring chinook should fall on the heels of the late winter steelhead run. The Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis Rivers should receive fair runs this year but down from the previous year’s returns.