Cowlitz River Steelhead Fishing

I just returned home from 2 days of fantastic winter Steelhead fishing on the Cowlitz River in southwest Washington. Joining me on this Cowlitz river winter Steelhead fishing trip were Walt from Minden, NV and Pat from Bend, OR. Walt's friend Mike generously provided the boat and 20 years of Cowlitz River fishing knowledge. Mike is an expert at catching Cowlitz River Steelhead. Our fishing results prove his expertise as we boated 10 Steelhead out of 14 hook-ups during our 2 days of Steelhead fishing on the Cowlitz River.

Tuesday, March 9th we launched on the Cowlitz River in Toledo, WA at 9:00 am. Nobody really wanted to start at the crack of dawn, and Mike assured us the later start would not affect the bite. As he said, "If they are here, we will catch them". Fishing from the bow of Mike's custom boat, Walt was the first one to get his line in the river. As luck would have it Walt got a bite and he set the hook. After a 10-minute battle, Mike netted the 12-pound winter Steelhead. The Steelhead was a keeper because it was a Adipose fin-clipped hatchery origin Steelhead. Next to land a Steelhead was Pat. This was Pat's first Steelhead fishing trip and the excitement of catching his first Steelhead was undeniable. It was a nice 11-pound keeper. Each licensed fisherman is allowed 2-clipped Steelhead in the boat per day.

Between steering the boat, baiting our hooks, and dealing with line tangles, Mike hooked a fish. He passed the rod to me and I had the distinct pleasure of landing the Steelhead. It was another nice 12-pound keeper. During the next 4 hours Walt and Pat both landed another Steelhead and they had their limit for the day. After the first day of our Cowlitz River Steelhead fishing was completed we had 5 Steelhead in the boat, and one of them is going on the grill for dinner tonight!

Wednesday, March 10th we launched on the Cowlitz River at 9:00am. It's great to be able to sleep in and still catch Steelhead. Again the ever-crafty Walt was the first one to get a bite. He set the hook and the first Steelhead was in the boat. Man, was I ever itching to catch my first Steelhead. I did not have to wait long. We were all side drifting on the port side of the boat when the bite came. I set the hook and the fight was on. I was determined not to let this one get off. After a good fight, Mike netted the 13-pound "buck" Steelhead. I finally caught my first Steelhead! We stopped for a shore lunch of delicious Steelhead sandwiches made from yesterday's dinner leftovers and were ready to catch more fish.

Next to land another Steelhead was Walt. Talk about luck, as my line was right next to his when the bite came. This Steelhead would turn out to be the biggest fish on the trip, a 14-pound "hen". This fish put up a tremendous fight with Walt circling the boat as the Steelhead tried all the tricks possible to get off the hook. Next to hook up was Pat, and he landed a 8-pound keeper. Mike said, "They all can't be 12-14 pound fish". It was still a nice fish, and we now have four in the boat.

Because Walt had 2 Steelhead in the boat, he was finished fishing for the day. Washington Fish and Game regulations require you record each keeper Steelhead on your punch card immediately after landing it. Pat and I continued to fish for our second Steehead.

We were all side drifting on the starboard side of the boat when I got a bite. I set the hook and the Steelhead immediately jumped 3 feet in the air and cut the line with his sharp teeth. Darn it, this Steelhead lived to see another day. We went up the river again and made another pass. As lady luck would have it, Pat got the bite and landed his second Steelhead.

The results for the 2 days of winter Steelhead fishing on the Cowlitz River were fantastic. With 10 Steelhead from 7 to 14 pounds in the boat we returned home were very satisfied with our fishing trip.

About the Author

For the best Cowlitz River Steelhead Fishing Guide contact Mike's Guide Service. Experience the excitement of Steelhead Fishing on the Cowlitz River in southwest Washington.

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