If there ever was a river system in Washington that you could say had a ‘puncher’s chance’ at catching a nice fish all twelve months out of the year it would have to be the Cowlitz. Not known for its scenery, and also not a place you’d go to find solitude, the Cowlitz does by a mile produce the largest runs of hatchery-born winter and summer steelhead the state has to offer. Couple that with a solid spring and fall Chinook run plus a dependable silver salmon presence in the fall, and you’ve got a river that deserves respect. It's definitely my number one option if someone is interested in taking home a fish.