Steelhead trips · LeadHead Guide Service
Washington steelhead fishing guide
Winter and summer steelhead on the Cowlitz River and Grays Harbor tributaries.
The rod stays in your hands
This is a hands-on fishery. When a steelhead bites, you are the one holding the rod and setting the hook.
Steelhead are some of the most acrobatic and best-biting fish we chase. We fish out of a jet sled or a drift boat, depending on the river.
Why fish with Beau
- Third-generation southwest Washington guide
- Always testing new techniques and teaching them
- All gear and bait provided
When to go
Winter fish run December through March. Summer fish arrive in June and stay through August.
Steelhead fishing in Washington
Winter and summer steelhead, guided
Steelhead are sea-run rainbow trout. They spend years in the Pacific, then return to the river they came from, bright, strong and ready to fight.
Southwest Washington has two runs. Winter steelhead enter the rivers from late November and are the main event December through March, with big late-season fish possible into spring. Summer steelhead arrive in late spring and give us a second season from June through August.
Cowlitz River steelhead
The Cowlitz is one of the most consistent steelhead rivers in the state, thanks to large hatchery programs above Toledo. Fish stack up in the upper river below the Barrier Dam and around Blue Creek, and they spread through the drifts from Toledo down to Castle Rock and Kelso. More about the Cowlitz.
Grays Harbor tributaries
When the Cowlitz is high or crowded, the rivers that feed Grays Harbor give us more options for winter fish, with smaller water and a different feel. More about Grays Harbor.
Hatchery and wild fish
Hatchery steelhead are marked with a clipped adipose fin and can usually be kept within the daily limit. Wild steelhead are released unharmed. Beau handles every fish carefully so wild fish go back strong.
Seasons, limits and gear rules change from year to year and sometimes mid-season. Beau keeps up with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules for every trip, but you can always check the current pamphlet and emergency rules at wdfw.wa.gov.
How we fish
Steelhead techniques you will learn
Beau matches the method to the water and teaches as he goes, so you leave a better steelhead angler than you arrived.
Bobber and jig
A float suspends a jig or bait at the right depth through soft water. It is easy to learn, visual and deadly on winter fish.
Drift fishing
Bait or yarn bounces along the bottom with the current. You feel every tick of the rocks, then the grab.
Side drifting
The boat drifts with the current while lines tick along the bottom beside it, covering long runs fast.
Pulling plugs
Diving plugs work back into holding water while the guide holds the boat in the current. Hits are violent.
What we provide
- All fishing gear, bait and safety equipment
- Your fish filleted and bagged at the end of the trip
- A heater when you need one
What to bring
- Your Washington fishing license
- A catch record card for salmon and steelhead
- Waders or vinyl rain gear and waterproof boots
- Lunch and drinks
- A cooler to take your catch home
Steelhead questions
When is the best time to fish for steelhead on the Cowlitz?
We fish winter steelhead from December to March and summer steelhead from June to August.
Do I need a catch record card for steelhead?
Yes. You need a Washington fishing license and a catch record card for steelhead.
What is included in a guided trip?
All fishing gear, bait and safety equipment, and a heater when needed. Your fish are filleted and bagged at the end of the day.
Is a steelhead trip good for beginners?
Yes. Beau enjoys teaching, and you will learn how to read the water and hook fish as the day goes on.
How big do Cowlitz River steelhead get?
Most hatchery steelhead run 6 to 12 pounds. Late winter fish and wild fish can be larger, and every season produces a few in the high teens.
Can I keep the steelhead I catch?
Hatchery steelhead with a clipped adipose fin can usually be kept within the daily limit. Wild steelhead must be released. Rules vary by river and season, so Beau confirms them before each trip.
What should I wear for winter steelhead fishing?
Dress in warm layers with waterproof rain gear and boots. Mornings on the river can be near freezing. The boat has a heater for the coldest days.
