I was lucky to live in Cowlitz County from 1973 through 1982. I caught a lot of steelhead on several rivers withing a thirty five mile range. There were steelhead everywhere, because the Game Department planted them everywhere. I didn't mind that they were hatchery fish. The Elochoman was crowded but phenomenal fishing. The real sleeper was the Coweeman. But the king of all was the Toutle pre-eruption.
I floated it from Kid Valley bridge down to the old Harry Morgan camp. The Cowlitz, even though great fishing, just wasn't for me.