Steelhead are biting on the Cowlitz River

River fishing has been best in places such as the Cowlitz and the Olympic Coast. The blackmouth fishing has been better to the north around Whidbey Island. Lake fishing is getting better each week.

RIVERS

Cowlitz: The steelhead action remains consistent and good. It seems like more and more spring chinook are coming upstream each day, but the run still hasn’t hit its peak. No single method – eggs, corkies and yarn, pulling plugs – has been more effective, so go fish the way that gives you the most confidence.

Olympic Coast: The rivers are all in good shape, and there are fish spread throughout the systems. Pulling plugs and side-drifting are effective methods, said Bob Kratzer of Angler’s Guide Service.

Wynoochee: The fishing is off and on, it just depends on what day you are there, said Ron Adams of Verle’s Sports Center. The report is the same for the Satsop.

Yakima: The lower river has been fishing well, according to a report from Red’s Fly Shop. The dry-fly action has been a little slower, but the rainbows seem to be going for more natural dry flies like Stimulator patterns. Stick with Pat’s stoneflies and lightning bugs for nymphing.

SALT WATER

Fly-fishing: The sea-run cutthroat trout fishing finally picking up, said Blake Merwin at Gig Harbor Fly Shop. The trout are keying on the out-migrating chum salmon fry, so concentrate on areas by creeks where the chum fry will be passing through.

North Sound: There has been some decent blackmouth fishing in the race track area south of Hat Island and Possession Bar. Using smaller baits has been working best, said Gary Krein at All-Star Fishing Charters. He said start with Coho Killer spoons.

South Sound: The pressure remains light, but anglers are catching a few more fish at places such as Johnson Point, Devil’s Point and Gibson Point, said a staffer at Zittel’s Johnson Point Marina. Try trolling with hoochies about 45 feet deep.

Tacoma: Anglers are catching a few blackmouth, but the action is spotty and spread across the area. Quartermaster Harbor, Point Dalco and clay banks have produced some fishing, mostly to people trolling, said Art Tachell of Point Defiance Boathouse Marina.

LAKES

Alder: The fishing for rainbow trout, bass and kokanee has been slow this week.

American: The staff at Bill’s Boathouse continues to release fish on a weekly basis, so lots of anglers are getting their limits. A couple of fish topping 2 pounds have been caught, and those aren’t recently released. Boat anglers are fishing close to shore and catching some big trout, said staffer Mike Barr.

Kapowsin: Angler Kevin Bye of the Cascade Musky Association sent this e-mail report: “It would appear that the bass are getting very active. I was surprised how aggressive they were. I tossed a white spinnerbait that they would chase quickly through downed logs and stumps. … Trout anglers were reporting mixed reviews of success, some caught with an inflated worm and some trolling Wedding Rings. I expect the bass and panfish bite to get red-hot in a few more weeks.”

Offut: The bite improves as the water temperature rises, said Becky Pogue of Offut Lake Resort. The action can be a bit sporadic. Most anglers are trying worms, Power Bait or spinners.

Spanaway: Still-fishing in the south central lake has been good. Try using a 3-to-5-foot leader and Power Bait or worms and marshmallows. Dock angling has been fair, said Bud Herlitzka of Spanaway Park Boathouse. Some fish are being caught at the swimming area.

Spencer: The trout fishing has been pretty good. Try trolling a black or olive Woolly Bugger tipped with a piece of worm in the top 10 feet of the water.

Washington: Anglers are finding cutthroat trout 15 to 30 feet down. Try using herring or needlefish lures, said Kyle Wagoner of Kyle’s Outdoor Adventure Guide Service.

jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com

This story was originally published March 27, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Steelhead are biting on the Cowlitz River."