Ever fished the Chehalis?????

[bswim]

I know the Chehalis isn't on the Oregon coast nor a trib. of the Columbia, but I was wondering if anyone has ever fished it for sturgeon. Or maybe the lower Cowlitz??
I'm a bank maggot and don't really have any poles that are stout enough to fling enough weight in the Columbia.
Any help would be great!!!
Thanks

[TideWater]

Chehalis happens mainly in the spring and also the summer. Gill nets cause me timing problems.

Lower Cowlitz turns on when the smelt come up in the spring.

I started bank fishing them a couple years ago at Bonneville. Second day out with my $50 rod and I scored. Best to buy a rod and reel.

[scooby]

I used to fish the chehalis for sturgeon. It has been a few years for me, but we used to do very well. There are not as many sturgeon in any of the rivers year round like there use to be, but they still are there if you look hard.If you hit it right you can nail some nice keepers and have the river to yourself. Good bank access on this river for sturgeon. go down from Montesano and follow the river.

December is a good time to fish for the old sturgicle as these fish go upriver after the salmon runs looking for some good grub. . in fact, the last five years or so that is the only time on my hometown river that I have picked up keepers. When December rolls around and the rivers blow out for steelies break out the sturgicle gear.

FYI - there are other rivers down that way that have sturgeon in them. good luck

scooby