Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Cowlitz River
Washington
This river is full of migrating fish just about every month
of the year. Its a true year-round fishery. Some months
provide anglers an opportunity to catch a grand slam. It
has large, Chinook salmon that will challenge anyone;
sea-run cutthroat trout; summer steelhead, winter
steelhead, and Coho salmon.
The river flows from glacial streams on Mount Rainier.
The Cowlitz River is within a couple of hours of Seattle
Washington and Portland Oregon. Although the river
can get crowded in some places, it also has plenty of
areas where pristine conditions exist.
Although it is know for its fine steelhead fishing, its
sea-run cutthroat may be just as well liked by the local
anglers. These fish average about 15 inches and large
numbers can be caught at times.
Summer steelhead start coming into the river in late May.
These fish average about 7 pounds. Most of the fish
arrive in mid June. The fish will remain in the Cowlitz into
October.
Winter steelhead start arriving in the Cowlitz River in the
later part of November and the first of December. These
fish can run from about 8 pound to 15 pounds. In the last
part of December and January, hatchery run fish
averaging about 8 pounds make their appearance.
Chinook salmon run during the Spring and again during
the Fall. The Spring run starts in the middle of March
and peaks in April. The average fish will weight about 20
pounds. The fish remain in the Cowlitz River until after
the spawn in September.
You need a driftboat or pontoon boat to fish this river.
The banks are covered with bushes and trees and there
is little access. In addition to the main channel, there are
smaller channels and feeder streams. There are two
hatcheries on the Cowlitz River, one each for salmon
and trout. The purpose it to replace those fish lost by the
hydroelectric dams. Efforts are being made to reduce
the population of hatchery fish while the wild fish
increase.
Seasons:
See above
Spring:
Spring is great for the big Chinook salmon.
Summer:
Summer is the time for steelhead and sea-run cutthroat
trout.
Fall:
Fall is a good time for cutthroat, summer steehead and
coho salmon.
Winter:
Wintertime is steelhead time.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
Washington
This river is full of migrating fish just about every month
of the year. Its a true year-round fishery. Some months
provide anglers an opportunity to catch a grand slam. It
has large, Chinook salmon that will challenge anyone;
sea-run cutthroat trout; summer steelhead, winter
steelhead, and Coho salmon.
The river flows from glacial streams on Mount Rainier.
The Cowlitz River is within a couple of hours of Seattle
Washington and Portland Oregon. Although the river
can get crowded in some places, it also has plenty of
areas where pristine conditions exist.
Although it is know for its fine steelhead fishing, its
sea-run cutthroat may be just as well liked by the local
anglers. These fish average about 15 inches and large
numbers can be caught at times.
Summer steelhead start coming into the river in late May.
These fish average about 7 pounds. Most of the fish
arrive in mid June. The fish will remain in the Cowlitz into
October.
Winter steelhead start arriving in the Cowlitz River in the
later part of November and the first of December. These
fish can run from about 8 pound to 15 pounds. In the last
part of December and January, hatchery run fish
averaging about 8 pounds make their appearance.
Chinook salmon run during the Spring and again during
the Fall. The Spring run starts in the middle of March
and peaks in April. The average fish will weight about 20
pounds. The fish remain in the Cowlitz River until after
the spawn in September.
You need a driftboat or pontoon boat to fish this river.
The banks are covered with bushes and trees and there
is little access. In addition to the main channel, there are
smaller channels and feeder streams. There are two
hatcheries on the Cowlitz River, one each for salmon
and trout. The purpose it to replace those fish lost by the
hydroelectric dams. Efforts are being made to reduce
the population of hatchery fish while the wild fish
increase.
Seasons:
See above
Spring:
Spring is great for the big Chinook salmon.
Summer:
Summer is the time for steelhead and sea-run cutthroat
trout.
Fall:
Fall is a good time for cutthroat, summer steehead and
coho salmon.
Winter:
Wintertime is steelhead time.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Cutthroat (Sea Run, wild and hatchery) Steelhead (wild and hatchery) Chinook Salmon (wild and hatchery) Coho Salmon (wild and hatchery) Chum Salmon (wild) Size Large Location Southwest Washington Nearest Towns Kelso Longview Season Varies with species Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Washington Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies |
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |