Where We Fish and Why
Cowlitz River
The Cowlitz River is located in Washington State and is a main tributary of the Columbia River. There are two state-run fish hatcheries on the river which provide great recreational fishing opportunities year round for both Salmon and Steelhead.
Spring Chinook Fishing on the Cowlitz River
We start targeting spring Chinook on the Cowlitz River in the months of April through May. Spring Chinook or “Springers” are the best table fare of all salmon. These fish enter the Cowlitz River starting in April and do not spawn until fall. We target these fish in a variety of ways on the Cowlitz River, including; back-trolling, side-drifting, hover-fishing, and even bobber fishing.
Summer Steelhead Fishing on the Cowlitz River
After Spring Chinook fishing on the Cowlitz River our focus turns to Summer Steelhead fishing on the Cowlitz River. The summer steelhead start showing up on the Cowlitz River around June. Summer run steelhead are the most acrobatic and aggressive species we fish for on the Cowlitz River. Our favorite technique is side-drifting, but later in the summer we like to back-troll plugs and bait.
Fall Salmon Fishing on the Cowlitz River
Fall Salmon fishing on the Cowlitz River begins in late September and lasts throughout the month of November. We generally will start near the mouth of the Cowlitz River and follow the majority of the run upstream to the barrier dam. The two species of salmon we fish for on the Cowlitz River are King “Chinook” Salmon and Silvers or “Coho” Salmon. We use a variety of techniques including, side-drifting, twitching jigs, back-trolling, hover-fishing and casting hardware. This is an action-packed fishery with fish ranging from 5 to 50 pounds.
Winter Steelhead Fishing on the Cowlitz River
Winter Steelhead fishing on the Cowlitz River is one of our favorite fisheries of the year. With multiple hook-ups and lots of action, these aggressive and hard-fighting fish will keep your blood pumping. We fish for Winter Steelhead on the Cowlitz River from November through March. The most popular technique for Winter Steelhead on the Cowlitz is side-drifting bait.
Columbia River
The Columbia River begins in the Canadian Province of British Columbia and flows down into the United States through Eastern Washington until it forms a watery border between Oregon and Washington State and then reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River flows 1,250 miles from it’s headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. There are 14 dams on the Columbia River between it’s headwaters and the Pacific Ocean.
We fish on the Columbia River for Columbia River Spring Chinook, also called Springers or Spring Chinook, Columbia River Fall Chinook, also called King Salmon or Columbia River King Salmon, Columbia River Coho and Columbia River Sturgeon.
The Spring Chinook Return to the Columbia River starting in February with increasing numbers during the months of March, April, May and June. The Fall Chinook Run on the Columbia River starts in August and Runs through October. Coho or Silver Salmon return to the Columbia River from August through early November.
Popular places to fish for Salmon on the Columbia include Vancouver, Buoy 10, Astoria, Longview and the Bonneville Dam.
Wynooche River
Wynoochee, pronounced WHY-noo-CHEE, is one of the best rivers on the Olympic Peninsula for Summer and Winter Steelhead Fishing. It is also sometimes spelled Wynoche or Wynoochie and means ‘changing or shifting,’ due to its ever changing path.
The Wynoochee River is located near the small town of Montesano in Western Washington. The river is born out of the beautiful Olympic Mountains in the Olympic National Fores.
HumptulipsRiver
The Humptulips River originates in the Olympic National Forest as the East and West Fork. The name comes from the Humptulips Indians, part of the Chehalis tribe. Some say the word “humptulips” means “hard pole” why others say it means chilly region.
Either way the Humptulips river to us means ” Big Fall Chinook Salmon!” This is one of our favorite fall fisheries due to the large number of big Fall Chinook, hard fighting silvers, and the aggressive Chum Salmon.
The Humptulips Salmon fishery normally starts mid September and runs through December. The Chinook fishery is best up to Mid-November and Fresh Coho keep showing up through December! This is a great chance to catch a trophy King Salmon, a trophy Coho Salmon, and alot of hard fighting action.
Humptulips, Copalis Crossing, Pacific Beach, and Ocean Shores are some of the small towns surrounding the Humptulips River. The nearest cities are Aberdeen and Hoquiam, located at the mouth of the Chehalis River on Grays Harbor. Don’t for get your clam shovels, the Humptulips River is just a short drive to the Ocean Beaches!
KENAI PENINSULA
May, the start of Kenai Peninsula fishing season
May brings large runs of King salmon through the Cook Inlet to the many rivers of the Kenai Peninsula. We target these 20 – 40 lb. salmon in the saltwater as they migrate into the local rivers and streams. The saltwater salmon are chrome bright and at the peak of health, strong and ready for their long upstream struggle.
In addition to one King per day in the Cook Inlet, anglers are allowed two halibut daily. These delicious flat fish are often found in less than 100 feet of water in May and June. Salmon/halibut combo trips can be exciting and productive freezer filling adventures. Whales, seals, puffins, otters and sea lions are often sighted while fishing these coastal waters. The fishing is fantastic and the scenery is nothing short of amazing!
June Kenai fishing
June is a special time of year on the Kasilof River. The first schools of king salmon hit the icy glacial waters of the Kasilof. These fish are the first of the year, full of fight and delicious on the grill! Bait is opened on the Kasilof May 16th which drastically increases catch ratios! We target these 10-30 pound kings with cured salmon roe and shallow running plugs! This is a drift boat only fishery and is by far the best game in town for early season fishing! This run will peak in early to mid June with two fish a day limits, lots of action and great opportunities for putting fish in the freezer!
Late June through July fishing the Kenai Area
Late June through July brings endless daylight to the Kenai Peninsula. This is the time of year that the mighty Kenai River blossoms. World record class King salmon flood the river. These brutes sometimes exceed 50 lbs. with the occasional 60+ pounder. They are powerful game fish, not intended for the faint at heart.
As the King salmon fishing builds in mid-July, the Kenai River experiences a true natural phenomenon. Huge schools of Sockeye salmon enter the river by the hundreds of thousands. These acrobatic torpedoes range from 8 lbs. to 14 lbs. The Sockeye salmon is often called red salmon for their tasty, bright red meat. With limits ranging from three to six fish per day, sore muscles and full coolers are common.
Fishing early August through late September on the Kenai Peninsula
In early August through late September, the Coho or silver salmon storm up the rivers. These feisty fish arrive with bad attitudes and are known for their wicked strikes and high-jumping attempts at escape. The Kenai River silver salmon generally weigh in between 8 to 12 lbs. and with the occasional fish over 15+ lbs.
On even numbered years as the silver salmon enter the rivers, they are accompanied by hordes of humpback salmon, known as “pink salmon” or “humpies”. With runs between 4 and 6 million pinks, the Kenai is literally alive with fish! It is a sight to behold watching a steady line of fish moving up the river seeking their native spawning grounds! This pink salmon run is one of Mother Nature’s amazing sights to see. This is an incredible fishery for kids, expert, and novice anglers. Pinks are extremely aggressive and will strike at nearly anything you can put in front of their face! This run will peak between the 15th and 30th of August.
From mid-June through late October trout fishing on the Kenai River
From mid-June through late October, the Kenai River is open for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden char fishing. This fishery is one of the river’s best kept secrets. These rainbows and dollies grow huge by feeding on the eggs and flesh left behind by the millions of salmon that spawn all summer long. The trout fishing is usually action packed with rainbows in the 4 to 7 lb. class and trophies in the 10 to 15 lb. bracket occasionally landed. On light tackle, spinning or fly rods, these giants can challenge even the most experienced anglers. Spending a day pursuing trout and char should be part of every fisherman’s Kenai river experience
The Cowlitz River is located in Washington State and is a main tributary of the Columbia River. There are two state-run fish hatcheries on the river which provide great recreational fishing opportunities year round for both Salmon and Steelhead.
Spring Chinook Fishing on the Cowlitz River
We start targeting spring Chinook on the Cowlitz River in the months of April through May. Spring Chinook or “Springers” are the best table fare of all salmon. These fish enter the Cowlitz River starting in April and do not spawn until fall. We target these fish in a variety of ways on the Cowlitz River, including; back-trolling, side-drifting, hover-fishing, and even bobber fishing.
Summer Steelhead Fishing on the Cowlitz River
After Spring Chinook fishing on the Cowlitz River our focus turns to Summer Steelhead fishing on the Cowlitz River. The summer steelhead start showing up on the Cowlitz River around June. Summer run steelhead are the most acrobatic and aggressive species we fish for on the Cowlitz River. Our favorite technique is side-drifting, but later in the summer we like to back-troll plugs and bait.
Fall Salmon Fishing on the Cowlitz River
Fall Salmon fishing on the Cowlitz River begins in late September and lasts throughout the month of November. We generally will start near the mouth of the Cowlitz River and follow the majority of the run upstream to the barrier dam. The two species of salmon we fish for on the Cowlitz River are King “Chinook” Salmon and Silvers or “Coho” Salmon. We use a variety of techniques including, side-drifting, twitching jigs, back-trolling, hover-fishing and casting hardware. This is an action-packed fishery with fish ranging from 5 to 50 pounds.
Winter Steelhead Fishing on the Cowlitz River
Winter Steelhead fishing on the Cowlitz River is one of our favorite fisheries of the year. With multiple hook-ups and lots of action, these aggressive and hard-fighting fish will keep your blood pumping. We fish for Winter Steelhead on the Cowlitz River from November through March. The most popular technique for Winter Steelhead on the Cowlitz is side-drifting bait.
The Columbia River begins in the Canadian Province of British Columbia and flows down into the United States through Eastern Washington until it forms a watery border between Oregon and Washington State and then reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River flows 1,250 miles from it’s headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. There are 14 dams on the Columbia River between it’s headwaters and the Pacific Ocean.
We fish on the Columbia River for Columbia River Spring Chinook, also called Springers or Spring Chinook, Columbia River Fall Chinook, also called King Salmon or Columbia River King Salmon, Columbia River Coho and Columbia River Sturgeon.
The Spring Chinook Return to the Columbia River starting in February with increasing numbers during the months of March, April, May and June. The Fall Chinook Run on the Columbia River starts in August and Runs through October. Coho or Silver Salmon return to the Columbia River from August through early November.
Popular places to fish for Salmon on the Columbia include Vancouver, Buoy 10, Astoria, Longview and the Bonneville Dam.
Wynoochee, pronounced WHY-noo-CHEE, is one of the best rivers on the Olympic Peninsula for Summer and Winter Steelhead Fishing. It is also sometimes spelled Wynoche or Wynoochie and means ‘changing or shifting,’ due to its ever changing path.
The Wynoochee River is located near the small town of Montesano in Western Washington. The river is born out of the beautiful Olympic Mountains in the Olympic National Fores.
The Humptulips River originates in the Olympic National Forest as the East and West Fork. The name comes from the Humptulips Indians, part of the Chehalis tribe. Some say the word “humptulips” means “hard pole” why others say it means chilly region.
Either way the Humptulips river to us means ” Big Fall Chinook Salmon!” This is one of our favorite fall fisheries due to the large number of big Fall Chinook, hard fighting silvers, and the aggressive Chum Salmon.
The Humptulips Salmon fishery normally starts mid September and runs through December. The Chinook fishery is best up to Mid-November and Fresh Coho keep showing up through December! This is a great chance to catch a trophy King Salmon, a trophy Coho Salmon, and alot of hard fighting action.
Humptulips, Copalis Crossing, Pacific Beach, and Ocean Shores are some of the small towns surrounding the Humptulips River. The nearest cities are Aberdeen and Hoquiam, located at the mouth of the Chehalis River on Grays Harbor. Don’t for get your clam shovels, the Humptulips River is just a short drive to the Ocean Beaches!
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