Just thought someone might want to know about the Cowlitz.

Today's trip found me and a partner at the Barrier Dam at daylight drift fishing from the bank. We had a 20# buck on the bank at 6:00 and finished the day at 9:00 with a 14# hen. Caught on corkies/eggs. BIG EGG baits.

Millions of fry being released up there. Was quite the challenge to keep them off your hook. Suggest people use a bigger hook so not to hook very many (we used 2/0 and 3/0), no sense hurting our big fish of tomorrow.

Lots of people playing bankers hours (people started showing up around 7 ish). Though we were lucky enough to take fish home, we only saw 1 other fish hooked (boat).

PS.
Great site Bob!

THanks for the info Salty-Dog. I just logged on to ask for some info on the Cowlitz. I'm
headed down there on thursday. Just bought a
new drift boat last week. Dying to get it on the water. Can I be so bold as to ask where
you put in/pulled out? Did you use a shuttle service or double vehicle? Thanks for your
time. DryFli

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Correction. Just re-read your post Salty-dog
& answered my own questions. Guess I should
have paid more attention. I think all I saw
were the numbers 20# & 14#. Funny how our
minds think when we have fishing on the brain. Let me know if anyone has any info or
does & don'ts. Thanks again. DryFli

hey ric, congrats on the boat. The drift from the barrier dam down to blue creek is not too bad. I dont know if you are new to rowing a drift boat or not. Its a o.k. drift for a newbie.(I started there). Good drift for springers, I like to use shrimp and eggs

Thanks Kriz. I've been rowing rafts with frames for about 8 years now, so this drift boat is a real treat & about 50 times less the work out. Thanks for the tip. Question: where is barrier dam? I can't find it on any map. Thanks again. Ric

Ric,
If your headed east on hwy 12, turn at the sign that says salmon hatchery shortly before you hit Mayfield dam. Follow the road to the river and you can't miss. Don't get confused and turn at the trout hatchery ( about 6 miles west ) or you will end up at Blue creek, which will be your takeout.

Thanks for the info Mike. Am I right to assume that Mayfield & Barrier are the same dam? I'll have to do that float on thursday &/or monday. Thanks again.

I'll be getting my new willie this coming saturday. One of the first places I'm thinking about going is to the Barrier or Blue creek drift. I have done a little rowing in a drift baot but not much. I'm more intrested in getting some info on holes and strategies for fishing the springers in that part of the river. I've never fished it and wannna get started.when is the best time to fish it for the springers? is the big run yet to come in or has it gone through? what about the Chehalis, from Satsop down should it be anygood now or are the fish up farther? I really need something to fish for so I'll have something to do when trying my new boat out. if ya know what I mean. any info would be much apreciated. thanks.

Ric,
The barrier dam and Mayfield dam are not the same. The barrier dam is a large spreader dam right at the salmon hatchery. Good luck