Sam Sickles - Guide
Sam Sickles is a seasoned Northwest steelhead guide and the owner of Steelhead Outfitters, a fly-focused guide service built around steelhead, river knowledge, and time on the water done right. Raised in Oregon and shaped by years on the Deschutes and beyond, Sam is known for a technical, fish-first approach that helps anglers learn faster and fish with more confidence.
Sam’s path back to guiding reflects what a lot of steelheaders understand: some obsessions never really leave. After graduating from Oregon State University in 1994, he spent years in the corporate world before returning full-time to the rivers that mattered most. In 2008, he became part owner of a Deschutes outfitting business, and in 2011 he launched Steelhead Outfitters as a steelhead-centered operation focused on spey fishing, jet boat access, and high-quality instruction.
Why Fish with Sam Sickles
Sam brings a strong mix of river instinct, technical knowledge, and calm instruction. Whether you are new to swinging flies or already have years of steelhead experience, his trips are built to match the season, the water, and your goals.
- Owner and guide at Steelhead Outfitters (founded in 2011)
- Known for lower Deschutes jet boat steelhead trips
- Guides anglers of all experience levels
- Strong spey casting and presentation coaching
- Technical, river-specific steelhead approach
Steelhead Outfitters and the Lower Deschutes
Steelhead Outfitters is best known for its Deschutes program, especially the lower river jet boat trips that launch from the mouth at Heritage Landing. Sam runs guided summer steelhead day trips and overnight camp trips on the lower Deschutes, giving anglers efficient access to productive swing water that is difficult to cover any other way.
For anglers who want the full experience, the camp trips are a standout. These multi-day trips are built around prime timing, jet boat mobility, and fishing the right runs at the right windows. It is one of the most memorable ways to fish the lower Deschutes.
Rivers Sam Guides
Sam’s steelhead calendar moves with the seasons. Through Steelhead Outfitters, he guides steelhead trips across several classic Oregon and Washington rivers, with a strong emphasis on timing, river conditions, and trip fit.
- Deschutes River – Summer steelhead (day trips and overnight camp trips)
- John Day River – Fall steelhead float trips
- Sandy River – Winter steelhead trips
- Klickitat River – Fall steelhead in Washington
Steelhead Outfitters also runs spring trout trips on the Deschutes, but steelhead are the heart of the operation and the reason most anglers seek Sam out.
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 to swing speed and run coverage, he brings useful on-river coaching that translates well beyond a single trip.
Anglers fish with Sam for more than access. They fish with him because he is detail-oriented, adaptable, and deeply invested in helping people have a productive day on the water — whether that means refining a cast, adjusting tips, or changing the plan when conditions shift.
Trip Style and Experience
Steelhead Outfitters offers a private, guided experience with a focus on instruction and efficiency. Sam works with beginners, experienced anglers, and small groups, and he builds trips around the kind of experience you want — from technical spey-focused learning days to high-value fishing windows on destination water.
If you are looking for a guide who knows how to combine river logistics, steelhead timing, and hands-on instruction, Sam Sickles is a trusted choice.
Book with Sam Sickles
Steelhead Outfitters
Phone: 541-400-0855
Email: samsickles@gmail.com
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From lower Deschutes jet boat trips to winter steelhead days on the Sandy, Sam and Steelhead Outfitters offer a dialed, steelhead-focused experience built around timing, instruction, and great water.