Northwest Reel Life March 2025 Volume 4 Issue 5 - Flipbook - Page 15
HANNAH STEELHEAD
The Cowlitz River is truly
legendary for its hatchery
steelhead run. It is a reliable
producer year after year.
Many of us here in the
Northwest, myself included,
caught our first steelhead
out of this river. I'll never
forget seeing my bobber go
down and watching in awe
as a 17-pound steelhead
exploded out of the water.
My heart was pounding
as I fought to hold on
while it furiously tried to
shake my lure. It was an
unforgettable experience
that motivated me to
return each year. For better
or for worse, steelhead
can be tricky to figure
out. This is what makes
them so sought after and
rewarding to catch. A bit
of preparation and extra
knowledge on your side
might just be what tips the
scales in your favor. Let's
take a look at how to have a
more successful trip to the
Cowlitz River.
Tackle Tips
Like all fisheries, your first
step will be gearing up.
All traditional steelhead
methods will produce fish
on the Cowlitz, depending
on the day. You will see
plunkers, drift fishermen,
and bobber fishermen.
Plunkers will generally
throw Spin N Glo's baited
with shrimp and/or eggs,
or plugs. Drift/bobber
fishermen use bait, yarnies,
jigs, or beads.
I will usually bring 2 or 3
rods so I can use multiple
techniques without wasting
time on the water retying.
Experiment with all these
different techniques
and see what you like.
Each technique has its
advantages.
Plunking can be extremely
effective because you can
target moving fish. Beads
are becoming more and
more popular because
they are a small, natural
presentation that works
well when fish aren't
aggressively biting.
fishing
Jigs are extremely versatile
and eye-catching, especially
for fresh fish. Vary up
your technique and pay
attention to what's working
for other anglers as well.
Regardless of technique,
it certainly helps to start
by arming yourself with
knowledge about the
species you're targeting.
Steelhead are clever and
wary. Keep this in mind,
even when choosing
something as simple as
your leader line. Use clear
bobbers and light line,
preferably fluorocarbon.
Your presentation should
be as invisible as possible.
Part of the challenge of
steelhead fishing is finding
the right balance of gear
that won't spook the fish
but also won't break from
a thrashing, jumping
fish. Steelhead put up a
tough and acrobatic fight.
Practice tying your knots
before heading out, they
will be put to the test.
