Cowlitz River Summer Steelhead
Line screemed off the fly reel as Rocco held the bent throbbing spey rod in a 13′ long arc; the summer steelhead had slashed his fly-a Crandall’s Provider and was now jumping and thrashing about in the cool 54 degree water of the Cowlitz River. Swung fly strategies excel in this amazing fishing resource where hatchery run summer steelhead return each year from July through September. While other rivers suffer from warm almost lethal water temperatures the tailwater fishery here remains a very cool average of 54 degrees during the hot summer months.
The Cowlitz River located in Washington state roughly mid-way between Seattle and Portland, OR is an anglers paradise. Roughly 105 miles long the Cowlitz river and tributaries runs clean and cold from the slopes of Mt. Rainier, Mt Adams and Mt. St Helens; providing perfect fish habitat for runs of both winter and summer steelhead, cutthroat trout, coho, and chinook salmon. This region is a rural area with common sightings of deer, bald eagles, osprey, ducks and other wildlife.
When the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery began operation in 1968, it was the largest of its kind in the world. Currently, it produces nearly 13 million fish each year. Adjacent is the barrier dam, which diverts spawning and upriver migrating fish to a separating station where fish are sorted by species. Some of the fish are used by the hatchery while others are transported upstream to continue migration. Steelhead anglers find plenty of opportunity with the 600,000 summer steelhead smolt released each season and equally alloted 600,000 winter steelhead smolt released each year.
One aspect very apealing to anglers of all ages is the wade fishing on the Cowlitz river is some of the best wading to be found in NW rivers. This is due to the augmented gravel introduction program instituted by Tacoma Power and Light company. Each year 500 cubic yards of spawning size gravel is allowed to distribute through the river with high water flows. This is a boom for spawning fish and for wading!
The Cowlitz river is custom made for spey fishing with beautiful long runs, even bottom depths, easy wading and georgeous choppy riffles. There is no shortage of great water here and even though this river is popular with gear fishing anglers there are many options to fish away from the busier sections of the river. The cast, swing, step strategy of covering steelhead water is an addicting way to catch steelhead. With a tuant line the fly swings across the current eliciting aggressive grabs from holding steelhead. Feeling the yank of a 6-15lb sea-run fish on the end of your line is an experience not soon forgotten. Often on the hookup these fish will run deep into the backing with some (especially hens) jumping multiple times high into the air.
Typical lines for fishing summer steelhead on the Cowlitz river are Scandi or Rage Flylines with poly leaders for morning fishing and Skagit fly lines with T-8 sink tips during the heat of the day. Favorite flies for floating lines are traditional patterns like: Green butt Skunks, Joel La Follette’s Royal Treatment or the Street Walker. Once the sun is on the water we like favorite patterns from Rob Crandall- produced by Aqua Flies: Crandall’s Provider, Crandall’s Wedding Dress, Crandall’s Devils Candy, Crandall’s Steelhead Nitemare and Crandall’s Promise Keeper. Another favorite is from John Kendall at Blue Heron Fly Fishing in his black/orange marabou tube fly.
For more information about fishing the Cowlitz river or to book a guided fishing trip please contact Rob Crandall at: [email protected]
