Great Lakes Steelhead
General Info: Skamania summer steelhead were once transplanted from our beloved Columbia River Gorge (home of Big Y Fly) to the Great Lakes. A fantastic seasonal fishery was created in just a few years. Steelhead now pour into the tributaries of Great Lakes tributaries every fall. From Michigan to New York, big runs of steelhead can be found close to major metropolitan areas. The most famous area is the area called "Steelhead Alley" in Ohio. It runs along the shoreline of Lake Erie to the inlet from Lake Ontario. Another very popular spot is along the Salmon River near Pulaski, NY.
While anglers on the Pacific coast tend to swing smaller flies for steelhead, Great Lakes steelheaders most often use a nymphing setup. Swinging a fly is still fairly popular in the Great Lakes, but nymphing is the name of the game. Many anglers also fish a trout streamer either under an indicator or with a tight line. The peak time to go is in October, but fish start showing up in September and can be found as late as ice conditions will allow. There is also a spring season where fish that "wintered over" in the rivers can be found heading back towards the lake.
Preferred Gear
Rods: 7-8 wt. rods. Many prefer a 9'6" or 10' rod, but 9' rods are still the most popular
Favorites: Big Y Boss, TFO Pro III, Redington Vice, Orvis Clearwater
Reels: Large arbor, with solid drag system
Favorites: Orvis Battenkill Disc, Big Y General, Lamson Remix, Redington Behemoth
Lines: Weight forward, floating. Specialty nymphing lines for steelhead are a real plus.
Favorites: Rio Elite Indicator, Scientific Anglers Mastery Anadro
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34 in stockBeadhead Lifter - Solitude
$2.79Original priceOriginal price $2.79 - Original price $2.79Original price$2.79 - $2.79Current price $2.79The Beadhead Lifter is a great little egg fly that is super fishy Used mostly as a nymph, but it swings well too Available in #6 A sweet pattern d...
View full details$2.79Original priceOriginal price $2.79 - Original price $2.79Original price$2.79 - $2.79Current price $2.79Value must be grater than or equal to 1. -
18 in stockBeadhead R.L. Cotton Candy - Solitude
$2.79Original priceOriginal price $2.79 - Original price $2.79Original price$2.79 - $2.79Current price $2.79The BH RL Cotton Candy is a sweet little egg pattern. Great for nymphing for steelhead or egg eating trout. Pattern developed by Tom Larimer
$2.79Original priceOriginal price $2.79 - Original price $2.79Original price$2.79 - $2.79Current price $2.79Value must be grater than or equal to 1. -
224 in stockBig Ugly Stone
$1.02Original priceOriginal price $1.02 - Original price $1.02Original price$1.02 - $1.02Current price $1.02Name of the fly says it all... It's Big... It's Ugly... And it's a stone. Should fish well in any rivers stones are present, but especially well i...
View full details$1.02Original priceOriginal price $1.02 - Original price $1.02Original price$1.02 - $1.02Current price $1.02Value must be grater than or equal to 1. -
302 in stockBloody Muddler
$0.99Original priceOriginal price $0.99 - Original price $0.99Original price$0.99 - $0.99Current price $0.99A extremely popular steelhead fly across the US. From the upper tributaries of the Columbia to the Erie runs. Also know to be extremely effective ...
View full details$0.99Original priceOriginal price $0.99 - Original price $0.99Original price$0.99 - $0.99Current price $0.99Value must be grater than or equal to 1. -
238 in stockBow River Bugger
$0.99Original priceOriginal price $0.99 - Original price $0.99Original price$0.99 - $0.99Current price $0.99Created where big trout are the rule not the exception. Use where ever big trout lurk in the shadow ready to strike a meal! Part muddler, part b...
View full details$0.99Original priceOriginal price $0.99 - Original price $0.99Original price$0.99 - $0.99Current price $0.99Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
