The atmospheric river washing over the Pacific Northwest is freshening rivers and bringing late-run coho [and some early winter steelhead] into Southwest Washington rivers.
Yesterday, we saw the water levels go up on the Lewis River and are anticipating the same to happen on the Cowlitz, Kalama, and other rivers in the path of the rains.
We almost had the river to ourselves yesterday and fished with our good friend Mark. We each banked a nice hatchery B run.
The higher, faster, and potentially colored water necessitates some changes to technique. If you have a boat or are willing to hike to reach the deeper holes and runs on your favorite river, bobber and eggs, bobber and jigs, twitching jigs, spoons, and spinners are the ticket.
For bank anglers with limited access, the focus is on faster water runs adjacent to spots such as fish hatcheries. These spots can get pretty crowded, and most anglers drift beads, cookies, or yarn flies. When fishing shoulder to shoulder like this, success depends on using the right weight for the water condition and casting in sequence to prevent tangling with the people above or below you.
It will be cold and wet out there this weekend, so bring your waders and rain gear. Be safe, and send your coho pictures and stories to bear@thebearfarm.com. If we post them, we will send you a Bear Farm Outdoors sticker. Peace out!
