The region’s rivers are suffering from the long dry spell – with most salmon runs on the slow side – but it’s nothing a little rain wouldn’t fix. Want to put some fish in the freezer? Try testing the trout waters at one of the nearby lakes – Offut or Harts would work nicely – or take to the salt water in the Tacoma area or Westport for salmon.
RIVERS
Carbon: While fishing is a little on the slow side, people are reporting catching some chinook and coho. Some are drifting eggs under a bobber, while others are using corkies and yarn in black and pink.
Cowlitz: Like many rivers in the region, a dose of rain would certainly help. Until then, the steelhead and chinook action likely will remain fair at best. People are drifting eggs in the lower river for chinook.
Green: Fishing still seems on the slow side, but people are catching a few coho. Try using a Blue Fox spinner.
Nisqually: Angling has improved in the past few days. People are catching chinook, but the majority of them are dark, and a few coho. Some of the chinook are weighing around 20 pounds.
Puyallup: While the action isn’t red-hot, some coho are being caught. Low water levels could be delaying the next big run of fish. Corkies and yarn are the most popular setup.
Yakima: Fly anglers are finding that nymphing is the most effective method right now. There are plenty of crane flies and some caddis flies coming off, but the dry-fly action has been a little slow.
LAKES
American: Kokanee fishing has slowed, but some rainbow and cutthroat trout are still being caught. Pink seems to be the most effective color for dodgers and lures.
Harts: A lot of rainbow trout are being caught. People are trolling with worms on small spinners, while bank anglers are using worms or dough bait. Worms also are producing crappie and bluegill.
Mayfield: Trout fishing has been pretty good. Try trolling Wedding Rings off Ike Kinswa State Park or among the islands in the Cowlitz arm.
Offut: The trout are biting, thanks to cooler nights. Boat and dock angles are finding success with worms and Power Bait fished off the bottom. Boat and docks anglers are doing equally well.
Tanwax: The action has been good for pan-sized perch and some crappie. People are using worms for the perch. The trout action has been slow.
SALT WATER
North Sound: The coho action remains very good. Try using a Hot Spot flasher with a white or UV squid. Start fishing it shallow, about 35 feet deep, early in the day, then drop to as deep as 150 feet as the day progresses.
South Sound: Salmon fishing south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge has been on the slow side overall. Few people have been out fishing in the area.
Tacoma: Fishing has been good with a number of limits being caught. The best action seems to be from the Three Tree Point to the Redondo area and down to Browns Point.
Westport: Many charter boats are reporting limits after the state changed the rules to allow anglers to keep two coho. Salmon fishing in Marine Area 2 will close Sept. 23. Contributors: Rainbow RV Resort, Gamefishin.com, Auburn Sports and Marine, Washingtonlakes.com, Zittel’s Marina, Gary Krein at All-Star Fishing Charters, Tom Pollack at Sportco, Carol Parsons at Harts Lake Resort, Phil Stephens at Mystical Legends Guide Service, Westport Charter Association and Becky Pouge at Offut Lake Resort.
jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8640 blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure
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