Sandy River:

The Sandy River’s wild steelhead can go fin to fin with the famed steelhead of British Columbia in size and fight, boosted by catch-and-release regulations for all wild fish and additional environmental protections for the watershed. Winter steelhead in the Sandy River average 10-15 pounds. With Marmot Dam being demolished in 2007, more “two-salt” fish are being caught in the 15-pound range.  The winter steelhead run begins mid-December and continues through April. Summer steelhead begin their journey up river in April.

Your guide Marty Sheppard was born in Welches, along the Sandy River, and landed his first steelhead at the age of five. Since then he has studied the river flows and ebbs and the steelhead that make the Sandy their home. Mia Sheppard, who holds the world record for distance in Spey casting, also has a decade of guiding experience on the rivers of northeastern Oregon and learned everything she knows about the Sandy from Marty, her husband. Marty and Mia specializes in spey casting with a two-handed rod. Whether you are new to the sport or looking to improve your skills, a day on the water with Marty or Mia will improve your fishing and the odds of hooking into one of the Sandy River brutes.