Last time I was down on the Cow, I saw a few boats running props up and down Blue Creek corner. Is there a recommended river flow and size/ HP of boat and motor to do this?

I ask because my brother has a 16FT fiberform with a 90 HP Yamaha prop and wants to attempt to run it on the Cow.

Any suggestions??

Thanks in advance!!!

I bet Cowlitzfisherman could tell you.

I wouldn't attempt running a prop up and down the blue creek riffle,but if I did it would be in a 16'lund or aluminum boat with a 30 to 40 h.p. short shaft.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

If it was a bayliner, I'd say go for it...

Please let us know when he is going down there. It would be interesting to watch a v-bow fiberglass with prop hang that corner. @ 10 k, you could do it, below that you better know that slot real well, or you will soon...never mind the assortment of boulders that lie in wait once you make it around the corner. Some of those aren't all that far below the surface.

Seriously, I would probably re-think that idea. I've ran that corner countless times and I wouldn't do it.

I get nervous going down that bend in my jet. I can't imagine trying with a fiberglass and prop.

No steelhead is worth that risk.

Other then pulling plugs or free-drifting, only a fool would run his boat on the Cowlitz with a prop! Remember the dams fluctuates the flows daily. River flows may be high when you launch, and may be a whole another story when you run back in!

As shown in the graph below, Tacoma drops and raises the Cowlitz flows in very short order!

Live long and prosper….and use a jet pump!
Leave your prop as a "kicker"!

If you do it take a video camera and do what they do in the south. Just before you hammer the throttle have your brother say "here ,hold my beer" :-)

Thanks for the heads up, point taken.

I will pass this info on and hopefully my brother will heed your warnings.

thanks again!!

HEY MAN I WOULDN'T ATTEMPT THAT WOULD BE NOT FUN . IF YOU DO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICY .......

i've seen some guys running props launch at olequa(?) creek without too much problem. you'd REALLY have to pay attention there though, there's some shallow spots on the way to the mouth of the toutle. blue creek, you'd have to be insane to run a prop down that. guys tear out their lower units in jets every year on that stretch

at the barrier dam, it's not so bad though

Here's another good reason!

Yesterday ….8608 cfs

Today…..6080 cfs






Tell your bother.....I told you so!

As CFM mentioned, flows have dropped dramatically, the latest one at 5850 cfs...

At 3000 cfs, there are places that one can hit the shoe on your jet if you don't know where to go. There are people who take props on the river, but they are few and far between, and/or short lived.