The Sandy River is a 56-mile tributary of the Columbia River located in northwestern Oregon. Its confluence with the Columbia is only about fourteen miles upstream from the city of Portland. The Sandy River starts on Mt. Hood beneath the Reid and Sandy Glaciers. On its way to the Columbia River it passes through the little towns of Welches, Sandy, and Brightwood. The Sandy remains one of the most beautiful, wild rivers in Oregon, with some of the best steelheading in the world.
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 8-10 pounds. With Marmot Dam being demolished in 2007, more “two-salt” fish are being caught in the 15-pound range. The run time begins around mid-December and continues through April. Summer steelhead begin their journey upriver 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. Little Creek Outfitters 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.
Sandy River Winter Steelhead Day Trip
When: December through May
Days: 1 (a multiple string of day trips is often booked)
Anglers: 1-3
Price: $500
About:
The Sandy River is a 56-mile tributary of the Columbia River located in northwestern Oregon. Its confluence with the Columbia is only about fourteen miles upstream from the city of Portland. The Sandy River starts on Mt. Hood beneath the Reid and Sandy Glaciers. On its way to the Columbia River it passes through the little towns of Welches, Sandy, and Brightwood. The Sandy remains one of the most beautiful, wild rivers in Oregon, with some of the best steelheading in the world.
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 8-10 pounds. With Marmot Dam being demolished in 2007, more “two-salt” fish are being caught in the 15-pound range. The run time begins around mid-December and continues through April. Summer steelhead begin their journey upriver 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. Little Creek Outfitters 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.
Trip Overview:
A day-long steelhead float on the Sandy River covers roughly seven to ten miles of river, offering anglers many fine runs through which to swing their flies. A day float trip will include transportation to and from Sandy, hot coffee, hot soup, a hearty lunch, beverages, and an experienced, professional steelhead guide.
If you are staying the night before your trip, we recommend the Best Western in Sandy. This is where we will pick you up (time to be arranged). We will have a breakfast sandwich and coffee ready for you to eat on the go.
Little Creek Outfitters will provide – Life jackets, fly rods, flies, lunch, transportation to and from the river
Fishing License:
You can purchase a fishing license online at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us
Purchase the 1-day License with Columbia River Basin Endorsement
Please feel free to call 503-819-4035 or email with any questions.
