Sandy River

GAGE LOCATION

DAY/YEAR
GRAPHS

CURRENT
STAGE/FLOW

WHAT TIME

Sandy at Bull Run

7 30 year

10.13 / 2730

4 pm

Sandy at Marmot

7 30 year

691.78 / 1290

4 pm

CITY

Portland

NOAA

Accuweather

TWC

The Sandy clears quickly after a rain, and it fishes well when it's on the high side. That makes it a good winter steelheading option, although it's certainly been discovered by fly anglers. The east wind can be a problem here, so when it's blowing hard in the Gorge it can be nasty on the Sandy, especially from Dabney Park to the mouth.

Mid-February is usually a lull between the hatchery run and the wild run. However, wild fish are available.

Fishing should be good between Dodge Park and Dabney Park. The area around Oxbow Park has good public access for bank anglers on both sides of the river. Boaters will find easy water between Oxbow and Dabney, but the Dodge to Oxbow run has a tough rapids at the upper end; it isn't suited to hard boats such as McKenzie-style driftboats.

Type 3 sink-tip lines are sufficient for most runs. Black or red Steelhead Bunnies are effective flies for winter fishing here.