I’ve been fishing the Cowlitz from the drift boat and the bank, and the fishing has been better from the bank, believe it or not. Eggs drifted at the barrier dam are the ticket, alongside a crippled herring launched across the pool at the top. The plunkers at the handicap hole have been picking a few fish too.

On the boat we’re dropping bait divers with coon shrimp or sand shrimp to get the most success. The next best technique is a bobber and eggs, and side drifting through the longer stretches has given us a steelhead or two. The action isn’t red hot by all means, but it’s steady. Early in the AM is the bite, if you miss the morning, you may be working all day for those fish. If you’ve never drifted the Cowlitz, it’s a lot of fun. Quiet and comfortable in my Pavati.

If you’re new to the sport and want to avoid the crowds, I’ll be running bank trips up on the Cispus river once the fish get trucked up there in significant numbers. It’s a great way to fish for the Cowlitz springers and get away from it all, and it’s beautiful country up there. Give me a call and we’ll get you on some fish.

Nate Treat Fishing
Official WashingtonLakes.com Sponsor

"Specializing in Fishing Instruction and Shore Guiding on Washington's Rivers."
NateTreatFishing.com

oneshot

5/15/2013 8:51:00 AM

man, wish I could make a trip.. to busy being unemployed close to home..
looking forward to a skykomish drift someday :)

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