Sturgeon fishers find success on Columbia

BOB BROWN, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published October 5, 2001

Columbia River sturgeon fishing has reopened on a positive note with anglers averaging about one fish per every two rods early this week.

Sturgeon fishing has been very good around the Portuguese Point area, Hamilton Island and near Bonneville Dam, said Brad James of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Vancouver office.

Most of the fish kept have been caught near Bonneville Dam. Lots of sublegal-size sturgeon have been reportedly seen in the Horseshoe Falls area.

Fresh smelt has been the most effective bait for sturgeon fishers.

Rivers

- COWLITZ: Fishers at the barrier have been catching some nice-size chinook salmon, said Karen Glazer of Barrier Dam Campground.

Last week, Lewis County resident Rick Lee caught two chinook weighing 34 and 27 pounds.

Glazer also said silver jacks are starting to show at the barrier. Some steelhead are being caught at the mouth of Blue Creek. Angler pressure has been heavy.

Bank fishers near the mouth of the Toutle River averaged nearly one adult hatchery coho kept per every two rods last week.

- CHEHALIS: Fishing has been outstanding, said Ray Dean of Monte Square Food Mart in Montesano.

Quite a few king salmon weighing more than 30 pounds have been caught. Herring and sardines have been productive baits, Dean said. The river is a little low, but in good shape.

- NORTH TOUTLE: Bank fishers near the mouth of the Green River averaged one adult chinook kept per every five rods last week.

Coho fishing remains slow.

The Green River remains closed to chinook salmon retention.

- LEWIS: Boat and bank fishers averaged about one adult hatchery coho per every three rods last week.

The North Fork Lewis, from Colvin Creek upstream to Merwin Dam, is closed to fishing. Flows below Merwin Dam are expected to be 2,150 cubic feet per second this week.

- KALAMA: Bank anglers averaged one adult hatchery coho per every five rods last week.

Much of the action has been at the lower end of the river. All chinook caught upstream from the natural gas line pipeline must be released.

- COLUMBIA: Boat fishers below Bonneville Dam averaged one adult chinook per every 16 rods last week. The best catches of chinook and coho were reported at the mouths of the Cowlitz and Lewis rivers.

- PUYALLUP: Coho fishing has been decent. The river is reported to be in good shape.

- OLYMPIC COAST: Rain is still needed, but the Hoh River is producing steelhead, coho and chinook.

- SKOOKUMCHUCK: Anglers are catching a few rainbow and cutthroat trout, but fishing is slow, said Dan Craker of the Country Mart Store in Tenino.

Saltwater

- TACOMA: A few silver salmon are being taken during tide changes. Try fishing at depths of 40 to 60 feet.

The area near the Vashon Island ferry landing has been producing a few blackmouth and coho, according to a spokesperson at Point Defiance Boathouse and Marina.

The mouth of the Puyallup River has been quiet.

- SOUTH SOUND: Fishing continues to be slow. Anglers report quite a few coho jumping, but the fish have not been biting.

- HOOD CANAL: The Ball Point area is producing a few silvers, said Walt Harvey of Verle's Sports in Shelton. Some silvers have been caught near Harstine Island. Herring and Wiggle Warts trolled near the surface have been effective.

Lakes

- LEWIS COUNTY: The west bank downstream of the Highway 12 bridge at Mayfield Lake has been good for trout. Bank and boat fishers also have done well in the Tilton Arm of the lake.

The east end of Riffe Lake near the 108 Bridge has been producing a few fish, but overall fishing has been slow for both boat and bank anglers.

- PIERCE COUNTY: Fishing has been generally slow at Spanaway Lake. There is little boat traffic. Bank anglers are catching a few trout, but no limits. On Wednesday, the lake was planted with 500 brood trout weighing up to five pounds each.

The water level at Alder Lake on the Nisqually River is down and there has been no reported fishing activity, said a spokesperson at Chuck's Alder Park Store.

- THURSTON COUNTY: Angler pressure has been light at Offut Lake, but a few rainbow trout continue to be caught. Most of the trout have been pan-size, but a few bigger fish have been taken. Green PowerBait has been productive, said Becky Pogue of Offut Lake Resort.

- MASON COUNTY: Angler pressure has been light on most lakes and so has the catch.

Fly fishing

- SALTWATER: Coho, cutthroat trout and a few chum salmon have been providing good fishing in the South Sound, said Greg Edwards of the Streamside Anglers store water.

Baitfish patterns are working well on cutthroat, but small waiting-period flies such as Polar Shrimp and Knudsen Spider patterns are providing more action on the coho. Charlies are recommended for chum salmon.

Fish around Harstine Island for cutthroat and coho and John's Creek for chum.

- RIVERS: The area's rivers continue to fish well, despite low water levels.

The Cowlitz, Kalama and Toutle have good numbers of chinook, coho and summer-run steelhead, as do Olympic Peninsula rivers such as the Hoh, Queets and Bogachiel.

The Deschutes and Tilton rivers have been providing good dry fly fishing for cutthroat and rainbows. Try No. 10 and 6 orange Stimulators and October caddis pupa.

- LAKES: Most of the area's lakes are fishing well during these cool fall nights and warm days. Woolly Buggers, Water Boatmen and Chironimid patterns are good choices.

Bob Brown is a correspondent for The Olympian. He can be reached at 754-5432.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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