Northwest Fly Fishing Guide for Trout, Steelhead & Smallmouth Bass
Sam Sickles is a seasoned Northwest fly fishing guide and the owner of Steelhead Outfitters, a fly-focused guide service offering seasonal trips for steelhead, trout, and smallmouth bass. Raised in Oregon and shaped by years on the Deschutes and other Northwest rivers, Sam is known for a technical, fish-first approach that helps anglers learn faster and fish with greater confidence.
Sam’s path back to guiding reflects what many dedicated anglers understand: some connections to rivers never really leave. After graduating from Oregon State University in 1994, he spent years in the corporate world before returning full-time to the waters that mattered most. In 2008, he became part owner of a Deschutes outfitting business, and in 2011 he launched Steelhead Outfitters with a focus on fly fishing, jet boat access, seasonal river knowledge, and high-quality instruction.
Why Fish with Sam Sickles
Sam brings together river instinct, technical knowledge, careful preparation, and calm instruction. Whether you are learning to swing flies for steelhead, casting dry flies to Deschutes trout, or fishing streamers for John Day smallmouth bass, his trips are built around the season, the water, and your goals.
- Owner and guide at Steelhead Outfitters, founded in 2011
- Experienced Deschutes River jet boat guide
- Guides for steelhead, trout, and smallmouth bass
- Works with anglers of all experience levels
- Strong Spey casting, presentation, and river-reading instruction
- Seasonal, river-specific approach to each trip
Steelhead Outfitters and the Lower Deschutes
Steelhead Outfitters is especially well known for its Lower Deschutes program. Sam runs guided summer steelhead trips from the lower river near Heritage Landing, using jet boat access to efficiently reach productive swing water that can be difficult to cover by foot.
The Deschutes program also includes spring trout fishing, when dry flies, nymphs, and seasonal stonefly activity create some of the river’s most memorable opportunities. Depending on the season, anglers can choose from day trips and overnight camp experiences built around timing, mobility, and access to productive water.
For anglers looking for the full Lower Deschutes experience, multi-day camp trips combine guided fishing, remote river access, and additional time on the water. These trips provide an opportunity to settle into the rhythm of the river rather than fitting the experience into a single day.
Rivers and Species Sam Guides
Sam’s guiding calendar follows the seasons and the best available fishing. Through Steelhead Outfitters, he offers trips across several established Oregon and Washington rivers.
- Deschutes River: Spring trout and summer steelhead, including day trips and overnight camp trips
- John Day River: Smallmouth bass trips and fall steelhead float trips
- Sandy River: Winter steelhead trips
- Klickitat River: Fall steelhead trips in Southwest Washington
Steelhead remain an important part of the operation, but Sam’s guide program also gives anglers opportunities to fish for Deschutes trout and John Day smallmouth bass. This broader seasonal schedule allows each trip to focus on the species, river, and fishing method best suited to that time of year.
What Sets Sam Apart
Sam is known for a straight-shooting style and a clear focus on helping anglers understand what they are doing and why. From Spey casting mechanics and swing speed to dry-fly presentations, streamer retrieves, and reading river structure, his on-the-water coaching is designed to remain useful long after the trip ends.
Anglers fish with Sam for more than access. They fish with him because he is detail-oriented, adaptable, and invested in helping each guest have a productive experience. That may mean refining a cast, changing flies or tips, adjusting a presentation, moving to different water, or changing the plan as river conditions develop.
Trip Style and Experience
Steelhead Outfitters offers private guided trips with an emphasis on instruction, preparation, and efficient use of time on the water. Sam works with beginners, experienced anglers, and small groups, tailoring each trip to the species, river, conditions, and type of experience the anglers want.
Trips may range from technical Spey-focused steelhead days to Deschutes trout fishing, John Day smallmouth bass trips, and multi-day destination-style river camps. For anglers looking for a guide who combines river logistics, seasonal timing, and hands-on instruction, Sam Sickles is a trusted Northwest choice.
Book with Sam Sickles
Steelhead Outfitters
Phone: 541-400-0855
Email: samsickles@gmail.com
Guide Picks: Shop Now
From Deschutes trout and summer steelhead to John Day smallmouth bass, Sandy River winter steelhead, and fall fishing on the Klickitat, Sam and Steelhead Outfitters offer seasonal guided experiences built around instruction, timing, and productive Northwest water.
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