December ho ho ho's

Ray and I were able to grab a day mid-week with no crowds, decent weather and plenty of fish. Always more fun catching. Lost count but I kept a few of the lighter ones for the smoker. River running fast and dirty, fewer holes to work but so many fish left in the system. Nice bonus for December, but this will be my last trip targeting 'hos.

Bring on the steel!

That's awesome guys! What river are you riding?
Hugh

That's awesome guys! What river are you riding?
Hugh

The upper Cowlitz, it's is the easiest access we Seattle-based folks have to Columbia river fish. Rivers up north here aren't fishing nearly as well this year, mostly due to that extensive plankton bloom early last summer and other factors. There's a big difference in quantity and quality of fish between here and there. We only had the morning to fish, had to get back before rush hour traffic, but its worth the travel for us.

Wow!  Some super nice cohos!  In  December no less!  I do miss the steelheading in the PNW!!

Upper Cowlitz? Were you guys above Barrier Dam? Great pictures as always man. Thanks for sharing em.

Die Fish! That was fun. We drifted from Barrier to Blue Creek.

There were many fish biting and even some bankers and sleds catching steelies right at the launch from the Blue Creek Hatchery. The steel are here. I can't wait to hit the Hoh - but I will not be looking for CoHOs  While the fish were not rolling or jumping often, they were hiding but couldn't resist a little photo opportunity.

I could throw eggs all day and get nothing but it was that pink worm jig that they really loved. I love river fishing. Running the river is as fun as catching the fish 

nice fish!  looks like fun

Nice report!  I love how more people are getting out and hitting new waters this year.

-Mark-

It looks like a great day.  Thanks for posting the photos.

Have you ever had any close calls with jet sleds moving up while you're going down?  Not just here but on other rivers as well.  I've never run a river where upstream traffic is an issue and I'm curious how you plan for the possibility. 

Just once a jet sled was waiting for me to run a slot. My buddy was already thru and told them I was waiting for them to come up. No issue that time. They can see us and we can see and hear them. I've never been surprised by a sled coming upstream.