I guess I'm in the middle of the road. My primary goal is to play a fish. I've never been to the Cowlitz and from what I've heard, I don't think it'd be that much fun. As you know, my primary river is the Snoqualmie and that river is just right (as far as crowds go). With the exception of the mouth of Tokul Creek, I've never felt crowded and I've never gotten tangled up with other people. There are a couple spots on that river I know of that are very seldom fished that I find quite productive so that's a bonus. If I'm planning a trip, I go by where I think I'll catch the most/biggest fish in the least crowded place. But fish always comes first.