The flow rates for the Cowlitz are pretty nominal for this time of year, it has been runnin' 7500 CFS or so for a few weeks and was just lowered to 6300 CFS yesterday. Rip roarin' is when it really starts rainin' and TPU will take it up to between 14,000 and 16,000 CFS. Might as well stay home and watch TV if that happens or find a different river to go to. The level will stay like this or higher til' at least next spring sometime. For winter steelhead 6000 to 9000 CFS is pretty darn good water. The best you will be able to do for fly fishing (which you don't see very much of on the Cow) is to drift it and try to find some water that you can fish it out of your drift boat.
Hey Greg,
On a side note what unit are you in and what building are you stationed in??? I work in PW on the post.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff