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Great Lakes Steelhead

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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    An extremely popular UK and Ireland pattern.  Atlantic Salmon absolutely love this fly. Meant to imitate translucent shrimp, or crustacean like p...

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    Specialized in Northern California. Now used up and down the west coast for steelies, sea run cutts and salmon. Sinks quickly, attracts mightily...

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    Dead drift it, or swing it. Both have been known to be effective. A big worm or leech that looks like it is attracted to an egg.

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    Dead drift it, or swing it. Both have been known to be effective. A big worm or leech that looks like it is attracted to an egg. Tied on a red hook.

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    Excellent, versatile pattern, weighted head. You can fish this everywhere, swing it, dead drift it. Tied on stainless hook, saltwater ready. Exc...

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    There is an endless supply of hooks on the market designed for specific fisheries. The TroutBeads BeadHook™ is the only hook ever that was tested,...

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