sounds like your doing as well as I. My only summer run this year was on a spoon, and I lost it because I didn't react quick enough. I had been casting and reeling all day and when it hit, I just spaced out. I saw it swim off and about cried :-)
I know how to fish, dont get me wrong. lately I have been trying to learn the Washougal. I have spent a good majority of my time putting on new tackle LOW WATER+ Big rocks= major snags!!!
I fished the Kalama early in the spring. I havnt been back since June. I got tired of so many damn people!
This is actually my first summer that I have hardcore targeted the river. Last year I was got married in the summer and spent the entire June and July getting ready for it.