Need summer steelhead reports

[Deleted User]

I have been out of town and haven't heard how the low warmish water steelheading is going. I am particularly interested in reports of how the bigger cooler Cascade rivers have been fishing; such as the Cowlitz, NF Lewis, Clackamas, and Santiams. I know the coastal rivers will be a challenge after seeing the tiny flow of little Salmon R. on the way down to LC last week, and coming home along the Wilson R. Friday evening. Thanks for any info you would share guys. ... (Mark and Shane - give me a call when you get back from the coast. Hope you found some low water biters).

Steve

[birdhunter]

Clack has been slow. One or two picked up every night at Dog Creek. Nobody out drifting hardly. I've drifted Barton to Carver 3 times now in the past few weeks and don't have any fish to show for it. Couple of take-down and plenty of *********/trout to peck at bait. Seen a few summer runs jumping, but not too much. Still finding a few chinook though. Bright ones too. River Mill is chock full of fish, but they aren't great biters. Weekends are a pain because of the hords and the boat ramps have a $3 entry fee now. They are still recyling fish back down to Riverside. Glad to see ya back RT. Why do you even wanna harass the summer runs now? A couple more days and the big rivers opens. Can you say "upriver brights"? I've got August planned out!

[Mr. Fisherman]

What's a steelhead? images/icons/confused.gif images/icons/tongue.gif images/icons/rolleyes.gif

[Fish Hunter]

Look for Drano Lake to ROCK this summer due to high Columbia temps. Fly fishing works good all day when the wind is not too bad.
Nothing like a 15lb B run on a fly rod images/icons/shocked.gif

[Thumper]

Nuthin' happening over here in the Lewis......nuthin' at all!

[Trollin]

RT I fished the mouth of the Cowlitz Sat counted 60 boats in hoglines saw 18 fish landed only 2 released. I got the big zero in my boat images/icons/frown.gif

[Deleted User]

Thanks guys for the posts and e-mails. ... BTW Jack, all those hords of fish in the NF that look like big rainbows between 7 to 20+ lbs. ARE summer steelhead images/icons/grin.gif . Quit using chicken liver chunks to fish for the sqawfish in there and get some crawfish tails drifting - you might catch a steelhead and see what they look like up close; hehe images/icons/rolleyes.gif ... jk, no fish in the NF.

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RT www.turnipwagon.net (http://www.turnipwagon.net)

[Steelheadman]

Nothing on the Kalama this evening. Had a great time though fishing the beginers hole and the canyon with the kids. Had a few nibbles before the sun got off the water. Talked to a guy who said he caught a 10 lber on a jig last week.

Heard of a couple caught in LC last week but the fishing isn't very good.

[Big Willie]

STEEEVE! Welcome back bud. I drifted from 1st to Farmer on Saturday in a friends pontoon boat. All by myself, had the whole river to myself. Nestuc is very low and gin clear. I'll bet I walked the boat for half the 'drift'. It seems the whole river has turned into frog water, except at the very tops of the holes. Bobber and jig the whole way, with a few spinners thrown here and there. Had one on, and missed another. Do the Santiams still have water?

[wiser]

Oxbow Park, Sandy River. Saw a 12 - 13 lb Summer steelhead and a 20" fall chinook jack caught on a silver #2 Mepps. A young kid 14 years old or so fishing with his dad.This morning saw a 16lb. or so fall chinook caught on a larger silver spinner at the same place. Whenever the water clears, a few fish are caught. The spring chinook are still in pretty good shape.

[willierower]

The Santiams still have water. I cant give a report of the fishing though. I havent been out. The South is very low but still floatable. There should still be lots of fish available. If I hear any good reports I will let you know.

[FishinMission]

Hey Steve...I know you said smaller water...but the Columbia's got lots of fish. We're starting to pick up an occasional chinook now and then too. Might be worth your time to check it out. images/icons/grin.gif

[Jellyhead]

I second fishinmishin's idea. Fish in 20-25 feet of water for steelie's on major current seams, u-20's have been good for at least 1 fish a trip, some nook's too.

If you've got you're wash. license, I'd try night fishing too.

Good Luck

Aaron

[Filet-O-Fish]

RT,
I have good luck on the Columbia too. Fished on Sat near the 205 brige hooked 4 landed zero images/icons/frown.gif. We were the only boat in the area.

jp