Snow Level effecting river levels

Snow level is at 4500 feet that means there will be run off from the Mt. So even though there is only 30-60% chance of rain water will melt the lower snow rising the water levels. Rule of thumb if snow level is below 3500 ft rivers will not be effected by run off and if above 3500 ft rivers will stay constant or rise.

Water Levels on the rise

Water levels are on the rise and expected storms coming. Backtrolling or Backbouncing will be the key to Steelhead in any high or off colored water. It will be hard to use a driftboat so the sled will come in handy holding the boat in the faster water.

Tide Water Sturgeon

With the upcoming smelt run for the Cowlitz tide will come into play. Most will targe an outgoing tide to keep the boat steady and pointing down river. But when the tide switches target the soft water and let the boat point upriver. Dial down the weight and dont be afraid to fish upriver in the shallows

River levels

With the water levels rising and dropping what is the best time to fish. When the water is dropping is the best time. Look to the snow level if the snow level is above 3500 feet the river will hold or drop, if below that level the river will rise and come off color. The option is to type into search engines and find websites with river levels and track closely.

Plug Colors

In my previous blog post I talked about pulling plugs but what color to use. A rule of thumb is if overcast or water visibility is low try darker colors like "Cop Car", "Michael Jackson" and use flat painted colors. As the after noon hits and thre is more light switch to metallic and brighter colors.

Pulling Plugs

This time of year pulling plugs for Steelhead becomes very popular especially in high water. Here are a few tips that will work for a sled or driftboatd. First be sure you have a rod with a sensitive tip but strong butt section. Rods should be pointing at a very slight angle (If the back of the boat is 12 oclock the rod on the left should be at 11am and the rod on the right should be 1pm)and almost parallel to the water. The plug should make the rod tip vibrate if not there is a problem and recheck. Back down as slow as you can there is no such thing as too slow. Strikes are violent.

Sturgeon regs will be available through the end of Jan at the minimum then we will see the 2010 changes come out I am expecting from what I hear is the days may not change but there will be more closures. If they do change Feb 1 it may put a hamper on the Sturgeon fishery in front of the Cowlitz in February when the smelt come in. I will keep up and post the changes as needed

Clackamas Steelhead

The Clackamas was running high used the driftboat today not many fish saw caught but we hooked one. Water clarity was decent lots of boats on the water. Water was rising if it gets above 14 might be too much or switch to plugs.