I know there are a few people that use Jigs on a regular basis. My question is regarding the use of Jigs on the Cowlitz. Is this technique used there, and if so, how are they fished? Are they baited up, or plain?

I am going to be new to the Jig fishing, and could use a little advice.

Are there better colors than others, and if so, is there a thought process behind which colors to use? Are they baited, and if so, with what? Does a person want to Swing the jig through, or bounce it off of a float?

Any help on this will be appreciated.

Thank you all in advance,

JW

I have never fished with a jig on the Cowlitz BUT I've had great success on other rivers. I use different methods for different situations. If the water is high and roily, I use something that casts a dark silluette such as a black or purple. I've also knocked them on a purple/pink pattern or a black/red/white pattern. Sometimes when the fishing is hard, I'll use a piece of cured shrimp (pink or natural) on the end. If the water is "steely green" I tend to use some white and pink in my jigs. When the water is gin clear, I move down a couple of sizes and go with the subtle colors; black, purple, and sometimes green.
I fish under floats that are just above neutrally bouyant so that the lightest stop or hesitation will make the bobber react. You can do this by place lead on the lead in one spot or place split shot down the line (sometimes I use small pieces of hollow core). Keep your line mended upstream from your float so there isn't any drag and get ready!! Hope this helps.

~steelymann~

King

I've never personally fished jigs in the Cowlitz either but I've received a lot of feedback from people that fish there on a regular basis. Steely coverd the basics for you. Stick with popular color combinations such as Purple/cerise, red/black, pink/white and you'll be fine. Adding a shrimp tail or other bait is a good idea. Keep your jig a few feet off of the bottom and you should be into fish.

Mark

I cut my teeth on jigs on the Cowlitz 15 years ago...couldn't believe how well they worked and have never looked back. Used to "get in line" at Blue Creek but think the water there is much different now, used to be good jig water in the creek. Never used jigs in the main stem of the Cowlitz, I prefer clear boulder water about 4-6 ft. deep like in the upper Sky. The colors and techniques mentioned here are all good. Most important thing is getting a line in the water!!

jigs work on some of the river. try nightmare or white with shrimp oil.

a nightmare is a white head, red body cheneil and a black yarn tail.