Join Us for the Weekend at The Cowlitz River & Mayfield Lake
Camping: September 18 - 20, 2026 |Mayfield Lake Resort & Marina
Join Fishmasters Diane Schmitt and Al Wood for a full weekend trip from Friday, September 18 - 20, for some fun river fishing or relax on the lake hunting big fish.
Either way, come ready to fish, learn, explore, and enjoy time together on the water.
Weekend Camping
We have camping amenities available at the Mayfield Lake Resort and Marina which has tent camping ($38 per day), RV camping (starting at $72.00 per day), Cottages, Cabins and hotel accommodations. There are also boat rentals, kayaks, and canoes available. This gives fly fishers’ the choice to fish the Cowlitz River and Mayfield Lake depending on the water or weather conditions. Participants need to call the Resort at 360-623-7171 to secure a spot with the CSF group. Diane and I are in spot #74 as fish masters and hope you will join us this year. Spots 42-46 and 67-73 are being held for CSF members until the end of April.
You need to start your reservations NOW to make sure to get your needs secured!
Fishing Plan
Cowlitz River
September is a prime month on the Cowlitz River for fly fishing, offering excellent opportunities to target hard-fighting summer steelhead, aggressive sea-run cutthroat, and fall-run Chinook. The lower river—from the Barrier Dam down to the mouth near Longview—is highly productive during this time of year.
Because bank access is limited and the water is broad, utilizing a drift boat or pontoon is the most effective way to fish the river.
Summer Steelhead: September marks the tail end of the peak summer run. Spey rods (11.5 to 13.5 foot, 5-8 weight) paired with Skagit or Scandi heads are ideal. Focus on swinging traditional wet flies, leeches, or intruders (such as Purple Perils, Skunks, or Egg Sucking Woolly Buggers). Productive swings often happen in the runs below the Blue Creek boat launch down to Massey or Mission Bar.
Sea-Run Cutthroat: Late summer brings these aggressive trout into the river system. Standard nymphs and wet flies, like soft hackle brassies, work wonderfully.
Fall Chinook: Large fall Chinook (averaging 15–30 lbs) push into the system in September. You can target them using heavy sink tips and larger patterns in the deeper channels.
Primary float will be Blue Creek #12 to Mission Bar #4
If you need a shuttle from Blue Creek Hatchery you can arrange for pickup services by Mike Sturza at Lost Creek Fly Shop at 360 978-4059. A discover pass will be needed if you park at Blue Creek Boat Ramp.
Mayfield Lake
September offers a fantastic opportunity to target actively feeding fish as cooling water temperatures bring them into the shallows. Focus your efforts on rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and the famous tiger muskies, concentrating especially on the Tilton River arm and the weed beds near Ike Kinswa State Park.
Rainbow Trout: Late September brings a second peak as trout become aggressive. Use a floating line with attractor wet flies or switch to a slow-sinking line with chironomids and leech patterns.
Smallmouth Bass: Bass actively hunt near rocky shorelines and submerged structures through September. Streamer patterns like Woolly Buggers or baitfish imitations work great in these areas.
Tiger Muskie: Mayfield Lake is renowned for these apex predators. Target them with large 8-10 weight rods, wire leaders, and bulky, 8- to 12-inch fly patterns fished around weed edges. Note that you must adhere to strict WDFW regulations, including a 50-inch minimum size limit.
The Tilton River arm is highly productive for both trout and muskies. You can easily launch a pram, pontoon, or kayak at the boat ramps located at the dam or Ike Kinswa State Park. Always review the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Regulations before you head out, as seasonal closures, daily limits, and catch-and-release rules change.
RSVP Required
If you plan to attend, please fill out registration button above (top of this page), or email alanstanleywood@gmail.com with the following information:
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Your name
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Names of anyone coming with you
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Your cell phone number
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Emergency contact name
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Emergency contact phone number
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Are you joining the Saturday day trip or camping for the weekend?
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If camping, what campsite did you reserve?
RSVPs help us plan, communicate any changes, and keep everyone accounted for during the outing.
Safety
For emergencies, aside from calling 911 when in cell coverage, please take note of the following information:
Nearest Regional Hospitals:
- Arbor Health - Morton Hospital. 521 Adams Ave. Morton, WA 98356 Phone: 360-496-5112
- Providence Centralia Hospital 914 S. Scheuber Rd. Centralia, WA Phone: 360-736-2803
Nearest Clinics (Limited Hours):
- Arbor Health - Mossyrock Clinic 745 Williams St. Mossyrock, WA 98564 Phone 360-496-6003 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Closed Saturdays and Sundays)
See you on the water!
Cheers,
Al Wood
Fishmaster, Cowlitz / Mayfield Lake Outing