Fishing on the Sandy has been fair to slow overall this winter, although there have been a few good days of catching when flows and temperatures improved. The river level is low and clear right now. Plus, the recent cold snap has pushed water temperatures down into the 30s. All of these factors are making catching right now very difficult due to little movement and low aggression of the fish.

A few fish are still being caught here and there by anglers willing to brave the cold. Look for fish to hold in the deeper pools where they can save their energy, and use small presentations like beads or jigs under a bobber. Don’t be afraid to try to entice them with bait, either. Try fishing in the afternoon when a slight rise in the temperature can trigger bites. Some anglers are landing fish both upstream and downstream of its confluence with Cedar Creek.

On Monday, Feb. 5, the Sandy Hatchery staff removed 32 winter steelhead from their trap and “recycled” them back downstream at Lewis and Clark State Park. These fish were marked with a hole punch in their right gill plate before release, for identification.

Those anglers who are finding success are using predominantly bobber and jig, colored beads or spinners. Anglers can also find bank access to the Sandy River in several areas from Troutdale up to Brightwood. Lewis and Clark Park, Dabney Park, and Dodge Park all offer good spots for bank fishing. 

USGS hydrological data for Feb. 6 shows Sandy flows receding to 1,220 cfs, with a gauge reading of 8.91 feet and the water temperature on the Little Sandy at Bull Run down to a chilly 37° F.