Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Sandy River

Species:  Winter Steelhead
Season:  November - April (peak February/early March)

Links:  Oxbow Park, Dodge Park, Dabney Park

The Sandy River is close to Portland, but it is hard to tell when you are on the river.  This is (arguably) the closest river that we can float a raft and chase a winter steelhead to Hood River.  It is certainly our favorite winter steelhead river to float and fish in the area.  The scenery is outstanding and the chances of catching a chrome winter steelhead are good enough that I am willing to get into a raft in sub-freezing temperatures and fish all day in the middle of the winter. 

The river does not actually get a very large run of winter steelhead.  A good year brings in an estimated 1500 fish over 5 months, and we have not had too many good years lately.  300 fish per month is not a lot of fish for a good sized river.  It just happens to be a beautiful piece of water, easily accessible by experienced boaters, and it is close to home.  Coastal streams still receive far more fish per river mile than any of the Columbia River tributaries; they are just too far away for a reasonable day trip. 

The Sandy River Canyon is coooold

Walk-in access is limited on the section of river that most anglers float, but is decent in every other section.  Two parks on the lower river offer some decent access: Lewis and Clark, and Dabney Park. 

There is ok access at Oxbow Park a few miles upstream of Dabney.  Dodge Park is about 6 miles upstream of Oxbox at the confluence of the Bull Run River.  Most boaters float the river between Dodge Park and Oxbow.  There is decent access further upstream, but very little walk-in access between Dodge and Oxbow, which is why anglers like to float it. 

Being close to Portland, it can get crowded on the Sandy River.  It is not a terribly big river, so 5 or 6 boats launching in the morning can really make it hard to find some quality water.  That being said, it is such a pretty river that even if you have to skip several good spots, it is OK.  Just enjoy the scenery and fish where you can.

Winter steelhead are worth the effort

There is no fishing out of a boat above Oxbow park, which does help ease boat traffic.  From Oxbow to Dabney or L/C, you will find plenty of drift boats pulling plugs or whatnot.  The boat traffic is easily 5x more than on the upper sections.  The upper and middle river is definitely raft-only with a couple of decently big rapids, the biggest happens about on minute after you launch at Dodge.

The upper river is floatable from Marmot to Dodge, but the water is skinny with more technical rowing.  That part of the river is popular with kayakers, but floating and fishing between the (removed) Marmot Dam and Dodge Park is a great option if you want some adventure.  

This little slice of pristine, wild water is amazing, especially being so close to Portland, and considering another river just over the hill (the Clackamas) is lined with houses and filled with people. If you get a chance to hit it up, just do it.