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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Agent Onyx - Solitude
$3.07Original priceOriginal price $3.07 - Original price $3.07Original price$3.07 - $3.07Current price $3.07A steelhead nymph that produces! Great for off color waters. Works well as stonefly or general attractor for trout too.
$3.07Original priceOriginal price $3.07 - Original price $3.07Original price$3.07 - $3.07Current price $3.07Coming soonValue must be grater than or equal to 1. -
Agent Orange - Beadhead
$1.09Original priceOriginal price $1.09 - Original price $1.09Original price$1.09 - $1.09Current price $1.09Great color contrast excellent searching pattern. Hot bead, rubber legs, flash wing case. Also useful for trout. Stoneflies are availabl...
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. -
Ally Shrimp
$1.50Original priceOriginal price $1.50 - Original price $1.50Original price$1.50 - $1.50Current price $1.50An extremely popular UK and Ireland pattern. Atlantic Salmon absolutely love this fly. Meant to imitate translucent shrimp, or crustacean like p...
View full details$1.50Original priceOriginal price $1.50 - Original price $1.50Original price$1.50 - $1.50Current price $1.50Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
