Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Fly Fishing Southwest Washington with Jackson Golik - Cowlitz River, Coho Salmon, Steelhead
Season 10 Episode 689
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/689
Presented by: On DeMark Lodge, TroutRoutes, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Togiak River Lodge
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
In this episode, we journey to fly fishing southwest Washington with expert guide Jackson Golik. Known for its impressive steelhead and salmon populations, this region offers anglers a unique experience that rivals the more renowned rivers along the West Coast.
Jackson takes us on an exploration of the famous steelhead rivers such as the Kalama, Cowlitz, and Lewis. Discover the charm of these waters and learn how to optimize your fishing trips by timing them precisely and avoiding the bustling crowds. Jackson also shares his insider tips for surface and subsurface steelhead techniques, alongside strategies for hooking coho salmon—often thought of as exclusive to Alaska.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the southwest Washington fly fishing scene and get ready to plan your next adventure in this often-overlooked fishing paradise.
Episode Chapters with Jackson Golik on Fly Fishing Southwest Washington
4:46 - Jackson shares how he got into fly fishing. He was born into the fly fishing world, as his father guided on the Bow River in Calgary. He became familiar with the industry early on and worked as a shop assistant at the Greased Line, a renowned fly shop in Vancouver, Washington. The Greased Line, which operated for about 42 years, is noted as one of the oldest fly shops in the Pacific Northwest, having started in the late 1970s.
7:01 - He tells about that time when he was introduced to Simon Gawesworth, a significant figure in the fly fishing world. This connection led to an opportunity for Jackson to work as Simon's assistant for about six months at RIO, where he handled fly line box modifications and managed their social media.
12:10 - We discuss fishing in Southwest Washington, focusing on popular rivers like the Cowlitz, Lewis, and Kalama. Jackson highlights the prolific hatchery fishery in the Kalama, but notes that rivers with more wild genetics offer opportunities for larger fish. We also touch on salmon fishing, particularly for silvers, coho, and spring chinook.
15:25 - Jackson describes coho fishing as similar to bass fishing, using heavy sink tips and flies, with the fishing done from a boat near structures like wood. The season for coho starts in early September and typically lasts through October into early November, although it's dependent on rainfall.
For chinook, the peak season is around Labor Day weekend, with the best fish being bright and high-quality. Jackson notes some rivers have late runs of Chinook, like the Lewis and Sandy rivers, which receive a small run of bright fish around late November to early December.
21:16 - We explore the state of steelhead fishing in Southwest Washington compared to the Olympic Peninsula. Jackson notes that while the OP rivers have experienced closures, the Southwest Washington rivers have remained consistently open, though they receive less publicity.
26:40 - We ask him about winter steelhead fishing in November and December. Jackson recommends focusing on rivers with consistent hatchery plants for better chances, specifically mentioning the Washougal River, known for its strong Skamania stock fish and challenging whitewater conditions.
30:11 - In fishing the Washougal River during winter, Jackson mentions using heavy sink tips and typical winter flies such as leeches, with T-14 being a common choice for getting closer to the
Published on 1 year ago