Fishing gets stingy on the Cowlitz
Friday, November 5, 2004 8:02 AM PST
By Chuck Downer
Printable version
E-mail this articleWeather conditions, primarily rain, have had a major effect on fishing locally. This time of year, the Cowlitz River, especially the lower part of the river, is the focus, as late runs of silvers enter. For the sake of argument, we'll call the lower Cowlitz that stretch of river from the mouth of the Toutle downstream.
Dome-building events at Mount St. Helens, coupled with seasonal fall rains, have kept the lower Cowlitz out of shape for the most part of a month now. Considering the fact that we're into November already, it seems unlikely that the Cowlitz will round into shape again before spring.
There's green water above the mouth of the Toutle, but apparently not much in the way of fish, especially just above the confluence. Reports indicate that an occasional nice-size silver is being taken, but most are natives, and fishing pressure is light.
If you're looking for fish on the Cowlitz, according to fishermen coming into the store, you need to start your search at Mission Bar, and continue upstream toward Blue Creek. Reports indicate that a couple of mint-bright winter steelhead have been taken above the mouth of the Toutle, but this fishery is just getting under way.
A fresh bunch of "B"-run silvers shot up the Naselle recently, according to fishermen coming into the store, but it was largely a case of "Now you see 'em, now you don't." Supposedly, the same scenario took place on the lower Kalama River not long ago as well, but rains swelled the river and not many fish were caught before the run moved well upriver.
Sturgeon fishermen are reporting lots of shakers still, and an occasional keeper-size fish. The season is open on the Columbia River, above the Wauna power lines at Cathlamet, and on connecting tributaries, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only.
The size limit remains 42-60 inches, and anglers are allowed one fish per day, for a total of five per season. Anglers may continue to catch and release sturgeon after the daily or seasonal limit is retained, but only on days when the season is open.
A decision on the remainder of the 2004-2005 season, Jan. 1 through March 31, will be made before the end of the year. Though the fishing pamphlet is valid through March for most species, you'll see that the sturgeon season after Jan. 1 is in limbo.
Silver Lake's fame spreads
A retired friend, who lives in Portland, showed me a news item in the Oregonian this week. It quoted a member of the Oregon Bass and Panfish Club who said that Silver Lake was excellent for perch and crappie. The lake has been a zoo lately, as a matter of fact.
Motorists are reporting that anglers fishing from the shoulder of Spirit Lake Memorial Highway west of Silver Shores seem to be oblivious of the fact that the highway has a posted speed of 55 miles per hour. People are wandering out into traffic, and there have been a number of near-accidents.
While Silver Lake has a glut of panfish, no body of water can withstand the constant fishing pressure that the lake has been receiving lately. Apparently anglers are walking away with washtubs and five-gallon buckets full of small panfish.
Coal Creek Slough, west of Longview, used to be excellent for crappie and jumbo yellow perch in the early spring, but that fishery has all but disappeared, primarily due to over-fishing. Perhaps by instituting an aggregate panfish limit at Silver Lake, say 15 assorted panfish per person, per day, bank fishing at Silver Lake could remain viable well into the future.
Some sort of regulation is needed to discourage the meat-hogs who are fishing the lake, and it needs to be effectively enforced.
Razor clams Nov. 11-13
Another three-day razor clam dig is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 11-13, depending on toxicity levels at the various ocean beaches. A final decision will be announced Tuesday.
At Long Beach on Thursday, Nov. 11, a -0.8 low tide occurs at approximately 5:45 p.m. On Nov. 12, the -1.3 low occurs at approximately 6:30 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 13, a -1.6 low occurs at approximately 7:15 p.m. Start a couple of hours early for the best digging.
Results from the October dig were somewhat mixed, according to conversations at work recently. While everyone seemed to get limits of clams, some areas took longer than others.
Yet another dig is tenatively scheduled for Dec. 10-12.
Lure Collector's Club meets
The fall regional meeting of the National Fishing Lure Collector's Club will take place Nov. 13 at the Red Lion in Kelso. About 100 members from the Northwest states, Canada, and California will attend.
While this is a members-only function, interested parties may purchase a one-day membership for $5, and are encouraged to browse tables of collectible fishing items. Bring your vintage tackle items to the show for free appraisal of value. A non-binding auction will be offered.
If you have questions, or would like further details, phone show-host Monte Martinsen at (360) 274-8045.
Local hunter bags once-in-a-lifetime moose
A neighbor of mine, Floyd Huttenen, recently drew a one-in-a-lifetime moose permit for northeast Washington. He told me that he's been putting in for this tag since it first became available, 27 years ago.
A couple of years ago, another local hunter, Dave Sorrell, drew this same permit and had a successful hunt. Sorrell and Huttenen got together prior to the hunt, to pore over maps of the area, and to discuss various aspects of the hunt.
Huttenen' s moose had a hanging weight of 546 pounds, and was dropped with a .338 caliber Sako rifle. The nice thing about it, according to Huttenen, was that it came to rest on the edge of a dirt road, making the chores of field-dressing and transport relatively easy.
Chuck Downer works in the fishing department at Bob's Merchandise in Longview. He can be reached there at 425-3870.
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