SW Washington fishing 7/27/12

SW Washington – The Cowlitz remains one of the best bets for steelhead with both bank and boat anglers doing well near the hatchery. This fishery should hold up for a few more weeks.



The bulk of the steelhead effort remains off of lower Columbia River beaches were numerous steelhead were taken last week by plunkers.



The Drano Lake fishery remains best outside of the lake itself. Mainstem anglers in the Bonneville Pool reported good steelhead results last week. The majority of the steelhead must be released however as they are of wild origin.

SW Washington fishing

SW Washington – Boat anglers on the Cowlitz are averaging better than a steelhead for every other boat. Bank anglers are catching a mix of chinook and steelhead although steelhead outnumber chinook about 2 to 1.



The Kalama, Washougal and Lewis are also fair summer steelhead prospects with most fisheries performing similar to last year.



District effort remains largely focused on the mainstem where good numbers of summer steelhead were taken last week for anglers using spin-n-glos tipped with coon shrimp. It’s clearly peak season for this fishery right now.



The Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries should take off for steelhead as Bonneville passage ramps up.

SW Washington fishing update

SW Washington – Summer steelhead remain the focus for most district anglers. The Cowlitz continues to be the best producer but the Kalama and Lewis can also produce fair results this time of year.




Most anglers continue to bank on the mainstem Columbia, plunking spin-n-glos tipped with coon shrimp. The stronger the flows, the better the fishing with another minus tide series starting the middle of next week.



Columbia River Gorge anglers start to get excited this time of year as steelhead nose into the Wind River and Drano Lake. Trollers and plunkers can both score results but check regulations before venturing out.

SW Washington fishing

SW Washington – The Cowlitz River remains the best option for summer steelhead with spring chinook winding down. The Lewis and Kalama are also good options for steelhead.

Most anglers continue to pursue summer steelhead on the banks of the Columbia with plunkers taking fair numbers of steelhead using hot-colored spin-n-glos tipped with coon shrimp.

As fish passage at Bonneville Dam ramps up, the Drano Lake fishery will improve for summer steelhead. Anglers have their best luck fishing at night but early morning can also produce fair results.

The Klickitat River should also begin to produce fair catches of steelhead throughout the month of July.

Soapbox Update: Do you value state forest lands for growing the wild salmon and steelhead you like to catch? The North Coast State Forest Coalition needs your support for developing permanent conservation areas on state forest lands. Go here: http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50686/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7998

to sign a petition, asking the Oregon Department of Forestry to develop these high value fish and wildlife habitats into areas of permanent conservation. Waters currently open to harvest will remain that way as well as hunting grounds. Read the petition and call or email Bob Rees with any questions or concerns.

Bob Rees: brees@pacifier.com or (503) 812-9036

We’re also looking for business or organizational endorsements for this initiative. We’d be happy to present this information to your interested group of people.