HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown It has been said that fishing in the winter could be considered a masochistic pastime because of conditions, but that doesn't appear to be the general consensus among the majority of state anglers who believe the opportunity to catch a migrating steelhead or salmon is worth a little hardship. In his book, "Washington Fishing,GÇ¥ author Terry Rudnick said winter steelhead anglers have what normal people might consider a rather unusual way of looking at things. Members of that fraternity actually spend lots of money just for the privilege of getting up long before daylight, braving icy roads, wading around a partially frozen river in leaky boots, and getting skunked more often than not. Well, conditions certainly were not the best during our recent arctic temperatures, but it didn't deter anglers from storming onto local rivers, especially the Cowlitz where record numbers of spawning coho have been making their way upriver. Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery adult coho returns (79,174) to date are the highest since at least 1969. The previous record through early-mid November was 68,901 fish in 2009. During Nov. 10-16, Cowlitz boat anglers averaged a coho per rod while bank angler averaged nearly one per rod. The lower river is producing fish; the barrier dam area has produced the best results for coho. Some winter steelhead and sea-run cutthroat are also being caught, primarily near the trout hatchery. The river has been turbid from the Toutle down stream. During the week Tacoma Power recovered 37 summer steelhead, two winter steelhead, 62 chinook and two jacks, 9,096 coho, 189 jacks and 52 sea-run cutthroat. Thirty chinook and two jacks, plus 1,574 coho, 45 jacks, seven cutthroat and one winter steelhead were released into the Tilton River at Gus Backstrom Park in Morton. River flows at Mayfield Dam were approximately 13,500 cubic feet per second on Nov. 17, with a visibility of 13 feet. -á Creeks and lakes
Beginning Dec. 1, Mill Creek opens to fishing for hatchery steelhead from its mouth to the salmon hatchery road crossing culvert. Night closures and anti-snagging rules will be in effect for this one month fishery. Also beginning Dec. 1, under permanent rules, the night closure and anti-snagging rule are lifted on the North Fork Lewis from Johnson Creek to Calvin Creek. Also, the Washington winter and summer-run steelhead smolt stocking schedule is now available on the department's website. Effort and catch remains light in the Kalama River, from the Modrow Bridge downstream. Fishing hasn't been too bad in the Lewis. Bank and boat anglers on the mainstem are catching some coho and boat anglers on the North Fork are also catching some fall chinook. Fishing on the Skookumchuck has slowed to a crawl. The coho run is just about over. Fishing has also been very slow on the Puyallup and the same for the Nisqually. A fishing report is not available for the Chehalis, but it is most likely also slow. If river fishing isn't your forte, lake fishing might be a pretty good option. Mayfield Lake is producing some trout, and Riffe is producing some silvers and bass at the far end. Catfish and trout are being caught at Swofford Pond. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced Borst Park Pond will be planted with 2,000 rainbows Nov. 28. The fish will average about 16 inches and weigh 1.25 pounds apiece. The department also announced evening razor clam digs are scheduled at Copalis, Mocrocks, Twin Harbors and Long Beach through Dec. 31 if marine toxin tests are favorable. The first dig is scheduled for Dec. 3 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors. Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, said the best results typically occur one to two hours below low tide. WDFW has razor clam recipes as well as advice on digging and cleaning clams on its website. -á Outdoors writer Bob Brown lives in Roy. He can be reached at robertb1285@ fairpoint.net
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