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
Reels: Large arbor, with solid drag system
Lines: Weight forward, floating. Specialty nymphing lines for steelhead are a real plus
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Candy Stone - Beadhead
$1.09Original priceOriginal price $1.09 - Original price $1.09Original price$1.09 - $1.09Current price $1.09Steelhead have an affinity for stones, beginning as a juvenile. Hot bead, rubber legs, flash wing case. Also useful for trout. Stoneflies are...
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Fish Skull Zonker - Fulling Mill
$3.63Original priceOriginal price $3.63 - Original price $3.63Original price$3.63 - $3.63Current price $3.63Great for all rivers with hopper action This fly moves like crazy in the water and attracts fish like no. The skull adds good weight and profile ...
View full details$3.63Original priceOriginal price $3.63 - Original price $3.63Original price$3.63 - $3.63Current price $3.63Value must be grater than or equal to 1. -
Kaufmann Stone-Beadhead
$1.09Original priceOriginal price $1.09 - Original price $1.09Original price$1.09 - $1.09Current price $1.09Stonefly nymphs live in clean moving water, and are an important feeding source for both trout and steelhead. All the attributes of the Beadhead K...
View full details$1.09Original priceOriginal price $1.09 - Original price $1.09Original price$1.09 - $1.09Current price $1.09Value must be grater than or equal to 1. -
Salmon/Steelhead Woolly Bugger
$1.65Original priceOriginal price $1.65 - Original price $1.65Original price$1.65 - $1.65Current price $1.65You asked for it, we provide; a woolly bugger on a super strong, salmon-friendly hook. The classic pattern is now beefed up for our Great Lakes an...
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Steelhead Hammer-Beadhead
$0.99Original priceOriginal price $0.99 - Original price $0.99Original price$0.99 - $0.99Current price $0.99Excellent pattern where ever you are targeting steelhead. Popular in BC, Alaska, Great Lakes, Pacific coast. Has become a go to fly in very little...
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.
