Meet Link

Link Jackson is an award-winning photographer and painter whose artwork is deeply connected to the rivers and wild places of the Great Northwest. Whether carrying a camera through mountain landscapes or spending time on legendary steelhead rivers, Link’s work reflects a lifelong connection to outdoor adventure and conservation.

His inspiration for the Sawyer Artisan Series began during the Spring Thaw event at Maravia in Boise, Idaho. Standing beside a display of Sawyer SquareTop Oars, Link envisioned the unmistakable pattern of a steelhead integrated into the oar design. The idea immediately felt meaningful — not only as artwork, but as a way to support awareness and conservation for Columbia River steelhead.

Over the years, Link’s conservation ethic has grown alongside his understanding of the challenges facing wild salmon and steelhead populations. After returning to Idaho in 2002 and immersing himself in steelhead fishing culture, he began researching the decline of the species and attending conservation forums. Inspired in part by his son’s studies in Environmental Sciences, Link increasingly used his art as a platform to support science-based restoration efforts and public awareness.

For Link, art and rivers are inseparable. His Sawyer collaboration combines handcrafted river equipment with storytelling rooted in wild fish, conservation, and the culture surrounding life on the water.