Cowlitz Commute!

If you say "Thanksgiving", I think "Steelhead" and so does Ryan Bennett of Reel Deal Guide Service!

Ryan and I had planned to head down to the Cowlitz one week ago but the snow storm that snarled traffic changed our minds in a hurry. So, we waited a week, got up early on Monday morning following Turkey Day, jumped on I-5 with the rest of the commuters and headed to Blue Creek!

Buoyed by rumors of large, fresh hatchery fish we were pleasantly surprised that the parking lot at the Trout Hatchery was not stuffed to the rafters with rigs! Unfortunately, there was a reason that there was a light turnout on this misty morning.

Ryan Bennett positions the sled for the first drift and we are quickly drifting through some of the most productive steelhead water in the state!

 

 

Big Phil Michelsen increases his odds of hooking steelhead by setting the hook on every rock! This time however, something actually pulls back!

 

Ryan and Phil show off a fine, chrome three-salt hen steelie brimming with eggs and pulling the scale down to over 12 pounds!

 

One of the great things about hitting the Cowlitz is checking out all the different boats! Here's a home made wood sled that definitely caught my eye!

 

The bank anglers were keeping up with the boaters just fine on this day! Here's a couple bank bretheren swapping tips and packing a dandy Cowlitz steelie!

 

Here's where the're all heading: The Cowlitz "Crack Pipe" or hatchery outlet. If you look close you'll see a few steelies bumping their nose up the grate!

 

Ryan Bennett of Reel Deal Guide Service show off a dandy Cowlitz chromer and if you see him out on the water, you can bet you're in the right place!!!