Oregon winter steelhead fishing on the Sandy River. Spinner fishing for Winter Steelhead is my favorite steelhead fishing technique. On this day I was out Winter Steelhead Fishing With spinners and also had a float fishing rod set up with a bobber and jig.
I tried fishing with the bobber and jig between wind gusts but after a while it just seemed easier to cast spinners. I went with the tried and true Blue and chrome which has worked pretty well for me when it comes to oregon winter steelhead fishing. I went with a BlueFox Super Vibrax #4, Blue body and chrome blade.
The area that I am fishing is not ordinarily the “best” place to fish, but it does have it’s times of possibly holding some fish, knowing when those times are is key. This can be a little hot spot but it can come and go in a day, depending on the conditions. On a day like this, i knew i’d be fishing with spinners since the wind was pretty gusty which made float fishing a bit more difficult, but thats winter fishing.
This time of the season I like to stick low in the river system (usually Dabney Park and below) until I start seeing and hearing of the catch rate picking up, then I start slowly making my way upriver to different parks and areas (Dodge Park, Oxbow Park, Cedar Creek, etc)
These fish can move quick and make their way up to the Cedar Creek Hatchery in no time, which is while ODFW often recycles steelhead back down to Lewis and Clark State recreational area, where anglers will get another chance at catching them while the fish make their way back up the river again. You can usually find info for this on the Sandy River Fishing Report which ODFW puts out weekly on their website. I will also mention this is the Sandy River Fishing Reports that I put out.
There are a decent amount of sandy river fishing spots. Some are an obvious park while others may just be a quick pullout on the side of the road. My best recommendation is to put in the time and explore the different areas at different times of the year and find the best techniques that would work in these areas.
Don’t forget to check out our tutorials with different tips and techniques that could be the game changer for you.
Stay tuned as I plan on getting out for some Clackamas River winter steelhead fishing as well as exploring some of our coastal tributaries. Wilson River Winter Steelhead are among my favorite when it comes to winter fishing!
ROD – 9’6″ Okuma Celilo https://amzn.to/2Tb16M9
REEL – Pflueger President https://amzn.to/2uJuNdP
LINE – 30lb PowerPro High-vis Braid https://amzn.to/2IbJTvG
to 12lb Seagur Fluorocarbon leader https://amzn.to/2Iawl3D
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What size President was that? Does the sawing sound the braid makes while you retrieve drive you nuts? Ever sawed through an eyelet?
and for all you haters about the plastic, get a life, the dude is showing location and method and actually hooking and landing a fish. get real
Right in front of Jacks house, love it. Liked and subscribed just for that! lol
Thanks for this video Nick! I'm just getting into steelhead fishing, went for the first couple times yesterday and today and no luck but it was nice getting out there. Do you ever take new people out with you to show the ropes?
Nice job man, big chromer too!
I live on the sandy too. I and have been on new baby duty for last 2 years with my daughter. No fishing for me lately. I plan to get out this fall n have some fun. I need to cut in a path down to river it’s all overgrown again. See you out there. Just subscribed
Great video! New fisher here and Portland Native. Looking to fish the Sandy this Summer, any suggestions on spots, gear and fish? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Nick Im trying to decide on the right size reel for throwing mostly 4s & 5s spinners for chinook (& steelhead once I learn). I have an open face 5000 & a 5500 & also have 2 revo toro low profile reels that would hold plenty of 30 lb braid – they both have 22 lb drag. Any input appreciated. Happy to buy a 4000 open face reel if thats the way to go. Lastly I have 3 Loomis rods at 9 ft from moderate to fast action. Fast action Im thinking for chinook – spinners. I like open face reels for casting spinners but I see a lot of guys casting with the low profiles. Any thoughts on this appreciated. Thx.
Nice one bud I fished just down from there yesterday probly I will again tonight. I'm due. Thanks for the video in surprised I've haven't run into ya on the river looks like we fish alot of the same spots
Hell ya man, congrats! I will be out that way sunday with my son hope to see you around
Nice job!! Sticking it out in that blustery weather paid off. Take care, and happy hunting!!
I'm thinking about trying my luck on the Wilson this Sunday. Nice catch!
Is that spot private property or open? I always thought it was PP since its no longer green on google maps.
nearly the same spot my boy and I finished the season last year….. nice keeper!!!!!!!
Nice catch! Great to see you post! Encouraging that it was a keeper.
