COWLITZ RIVER - This big, sprawling river offers red-hot fishing and plenty of solitude every fall.

Seriously.

The Cowlitz is a pretty lonely place - if you steer clear of the elbow-to-elbow lineups at Blue Creek and the Barrier Dam - and the fishing for summer steelhead, sea-run cutthroat trout and coho salmon is terrific through this month and into November.

Most of this big river is left to the herons, the fish - and anglers willing to strike out on their own.

A boat is the best way to find peace, quiet - and fish - on this big river, but anglers willing to pore over maps and do a little walking will find good fishing away from the crowds.

Being alone is a good thing, especially on a day where the fish are biting - but LANDING one... Continued@URL... http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/614348.html