The state has moved the boundary on the Cowlitz at Barrier Dam up a little on Friday and put up new marker signs as to where the boundary is. The new boundary marker is now 100 feet below the Barrier as oppossed to the old 400 foot marker.

Nobody fishing in the closed section this morning and very few fish being hooked.

Stam62- I suppose a dip net would work,but doesn't it have to have a hook/lure on the end of it??? Fishing constitutes the use of a hook or lure, I guess, so maybe it would't really be fishin........maybe a weighted volleyball net with a hook on the end so's they could stay out of the ladders and it would be kosher then. Dont forget to bait the hook-no plunking allowed.

Rusty

https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=451

I see this release is better worded. :p

I've just learned over the years to never take anything for granted when it comes to the WDFW. Sometimes they dont even know what they mean.

I have fished the Cowlitz and the Tilton alot. It is great to hear they have move the barrier up. Sounds like they might move it back down after the coho run is over. When conditions are right, the coho in there can easily be caught on eggs free drifted. Other times, they will not bite and actually bite better in the Tilton. The fish taken up there are usually the brighter ones. Like any salmon, they eventually get dark and die, but I have caught alot of nice fish there. One day 2 years ago, I caught 2 30+ kings, both bit and didn't fol hook any fish. It is a great fishery, if you stay away from the snaggers.

Anyone hear if they decided what they're gonna do?

They opened it up to within 100' of the fish ladder. As usual there were several idiots standing above the deadline and several more casting up into the closed water on Friday. Most fish were snagged with jigs although several were caught legally. The fish cop was there a little later in the morning and was writing out citations for the closed water fishing. I did not here of him writing anyone up for keeping a snagged fish. As soon as he left,more snaggers were back above the deadline and everyone close enough to was casting up as far as they could. Lots of fish,lots of people,fair results for those actually fishing legal.Several boats parked out by the "island" in the middle of the river. Saw them catch fish but most were released,don't know if they were snagged or just boots.Saw 5 guys fishing right off the concrete of the fish ladder on the far side of the river. They were doing really well as could be expected in the closed water. They must have driven in on the 1000 line road out of Toledo as I heard it was passable now all the way to the barrier dam far side now. I was told the fish cop just looked at them as he didn't have a way to get over to them.(This was all on Friday).

If you want to see a Real circus, take your video camera up to the barrier dam on saturday morning ,Ole Jed Clampett and his bethren will be there fishin' and a snaggin'

Spent the last 3 days on the Cow at Blue Creek.......7 fish all summerrun and no coho. Must be all up at the dam.

There are Coho still moving up.
I was spooled by a pig chinook this morn. And Dan FSHKLR from other sites hooked a nice 14 pound hook nose. Fish were hooked on Brads wigglers casted from the bank.

BigTule, fishing uppwer river or lower? Thought I might ask if you do not mind.

From WDFW. Doesn't sound like a good change to me.

New WAC Nightmare to Enforce: Officer Schroeder spent the better part of Sunday patrolling combat fishing conditions and other increased illegal activities at the Barrier Dam on the Cowlitz River. A recent emergency rule change has brought a dramatic increase in the number of fishermen (and violations) to the area. The new Emergency WAC allowing fishing within 100 feet of the dam and fish ladder is turning into a nightmare for enforcement. Numerous citations were issued. Also, now that fishers can fish in the pool below the dam, they are catching sturgeon in the hole there. Officer Schroeder cited one subject for an illegal sturgeon and gave another warning for barbed hooks. (Region 5)