The good news is that the Cowlitz winter hatchery run exceeded the 10 year average this March.
The bad news is that Tacoma city light pushed the water level up from about 5,000 cfs in the first week of March to 15,000 cfs for most of March when the run peaks. It's still above 10,000 cfs. That's about three times the median flow for the river in March and way higher than the 5,000-6,000 at which the river fly fishes well. Fly fishing guide Mike Sturza cancelled 3 of my four scheduled trips because the water was too high.
Can't figure out why Tacoma City light is doing this. I doubt the gear boats care but it wiped out the winter steelhead fly fishing season for those of us who like to swing.
The bad news is that Tacoma city light pushed the water level up from about 5,000 cfs in the first week of March to 15,000 cfs for most of March when the run peaks. It's still above 10,000 cfs. That's about three times the median flow for the river in March and way higher than the 5,000-6,000 at which the river fly fishes well. Fly fishing guide Mike Sturza cancelled 3 of my four scheduled trips because the water was too high.
Can't figure out why Tacoma City light is doing this. I doubt the gear boats care but it wiped out the winter steelhead fly fishing season for those of us who like to swing.
