SW Washington fishing reports

SW Washington- Anglers targeting chinook in district streams should start to see improving catches by the weekend. Although still a few weeks away from peak opportunity, the earlier returning fish seem to be the more aggressive ones. Small clusters of eggs back-bounced with light leads should take fish.

 

The Cowlitz and Lewis should produce the best catches with the best success coming from the lower holes in the system as fish acclimate to the differing temperatures.

 

Drano Lake anglers continue to find success for steelhead but chinook salmon fishing should dramatically improve in the coming weeks as fish begin to pour over Bonneville Dam.

The mouth of the Klickitat should pick up for chinook action as well with coho coming a little later in the year.

SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington- The Cowlitz remains the best option for summer steelhead but salmon will start to show in most district tributaries in the coming weeks. Most anglers will focus their efforts in the lower reaches and new regulations are coming into effect on September 1^st so anglers should check their favorite streams before heading out.

 

The Wind River is producing some steelhead but most gorge anglers are focusing their efforts on Drano Lake where anglers are averaging about a steelhead per boat. Fall chinook catches should begin to climb with Bonneville counts.

 

The Klickitat River is often a good bet for summer steelhead this time of year but warm weather often creates silty water conditions, hampering success.

SW Washington Fishing

Southwest Washington - Steelhead catches along lower Columbia beaches are beginning to wane. District anglers are anxiously awaiting good chinook returns, which should begin to show in catchable numbers in 2 weeks. Until then, the Cowlitz will remain a top bet for summer steelhead. The Kalama and Lewis are fair at best for summer steelhead.

As passage at Bonneville jumps, so should catches at Drano Lake and the Klickitat River mouth. Chinook, steelhead and some coho will be available throughout September with the peak beginning the first week of September.

http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/

SW Washington Fishing

SW Washington – The Cowlitz River remains the best bet for summer steelhead anglers. The Lewis and Kalama also have fish but effort is tapering. Anglers working the mainstem Columbia beaches in the region are still taking steelhead and an occasional chinook. With the promising chinook return this year, effort will bump quicker than usual in the coming weeks.

As chinook numbers increase at Bonneville Dam, so will effort at Drano Lake. This fishery however, won’t peak for another 3 weeks. New for 2012, any fall chinook and coho may be retained at Drano Lake beginning Aug. 1.

http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/

SW Washington fishing

SW Washington – Most anglers remain focused on the mainstem Columbia for steelhead action and rightfully so. Deep water anchor anglers are still picking up good numbers of fish on plugs and the occasional spinner. Bank anglers can produce good numbers of steelhead on the upcoming strong tide series, especially if lures are tipped with coon shrimp.

Although the Cowlitz and Kalama are producing an occasional steelhead, the action will get much better later in August when salmon become another target. A fair return of chinook is forecast for many district systems.

The Drano Lake fishery is only producing moderate results. Steelhead numbers over Bonneville are fewer than anticipated for this time of the year. There may still be a sizable number coming as flows and temperatures have varied wildly compared to most normal years.

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