@JeffRaines

hit the Columbia river from Ringold up to Vernita. Fall chinook should be picking up

M

edited to say I missed the western Washington part. Sorry

 

I'd say lower Cowlitz. Get familiar with what it's like to get on plane going down river and up river, how to launch/retrieve your boat, and how to stop quickly while being pushed down the river. Go upriver from the launch in case you have issues with engine or clog your grate which causes power loss.

Ideally, you'll try this out when you aren't fishing. Better when most aren't fishing.

 

That makes sense.

For what it’s worth my schedule is changing this week, and my days off will be Tuesday-Thursday so any days off I use to go down will at least be during the “off times” although from what I’ve heard sometimes even those are busy depending on where you’re at.

 

I wouldn’t go to the lower Cowlitz unless you have some experience. It’s super low, especially at low tide. You’ll think you found good green water then that’ll disappear to 6” in an instant. The low current and sand make it extremely hard to read.

Something with some flow and rock bottom, the river in that case will at least show you where to go and where not to.

 

One of the reasons I asked about ideal flows as well. I know the Cowlitz is pretty low right now in general. What would you say would be ideal to run the Cowlitz? 3500? 4k?

 

If you have a friend or know someone with river experience you might think about riding with them or taking them with you. Their experience will greatly increase your learning curve.

 

I forgot to mention I know absolutely no one with a sled or even a drift boat, so I’m kinda on my own.

I’ve also heard about getting a guide to figure it out, and while it makes sense it seems like a grey area and a setup for an awkward situation when a couple days/week later they see me driving by on my sled or meet at the launch.

 

North Fork Lewis is a good beginner river.

 

Save for you I haven't seen a single person mention this anywhere I dont think.

Mind PMing me some details? Stretches to run that are friendlier?

Or maybe just a troll trying to give someone a really bad day...

 

might look at Western Whitewater dot org
they will help you.

 

I haven't been on North Fork Lewis, but I think many people here have recommended small sleds for the North Fork Lewis. If you search, you may find some of those older threads.

 

I just did a search, and it seems like a mixed bag with some guys saying they've run(or seen) 22' Super Vees up there... definitely warrants some more research on my end. Obviously at higher flows than its currently running which I figured goes without saying...

 

You could Launch at blue creek, If you can't see rocks sticking out of the surface thats the route, you'll be fine. Learn the routes so you can float through everything on your kicker motor. 2400 is low but really not a problem. I'd stay away from the lower cowlitz as it's alot harder to read the water. Chehalis is like a big slough with a few riffles to run through, also not a problem to learn on

 

Mission (Cowlitz) would be a better place to launch for a NFG.

Never been on the Chehalis but I have heard about knowing where the snags and submerged slabs are.

 

Cowlitz at 3500 is way friendlier.

 

Have you thought about borrowing or even buying a small pontoon boat, to scout the river with?

 

If you want to try the Cowlitz, here area few comments based on my experience. Blue Creek is a pretty easy launch, but there can be considerable side current there and a lot of guides run in and out of there, many throwing pretty good wakes. So it's not the easiest. Mission is nice because it's protected but once out in the current. the river is moving pretty good. Run up from the launch if you put in there (my general advice no matter where you launch). You'll need to cross over into the middle of the river not too far up from the launch and run between the 2 big rocks (if I remember correctly). The I-5 launch is very easy and well protected without any heavy side current. You can probably safely run up (stay to the right) or down (anywhere) and cover quite a bit of water before getting near any hairy spots. Good luck!

 

@JeffRaines is the Cowlitz and Chehallis the rivers nearest to you?

With most of the rivers being low, you might wait until they bump up 1500-2000 cfs from where they are now

 

The Cowlitz, Chehalis, Lewis, Columbia and Snohomish are all about the same distance give or take 30 minutes.

I’m definitely waiting on some rain and/or a bit higher flows.

I’ve just seen those two rivers mentioned the most when it comes to learning moving water.

 

Right now is a great time to learn to run a boat on the cowlitz, don't wait til steelhead season when it's busy, chehalis will look like blue creek for the next 2 months so keep that in mind, that's where everyone will be

 

The Cowlitz will be coming up to 3500 cfs today. Will be much easier to run. But still be careful.