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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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  • Egg Lace Worm - Solitude

    $2.63
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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.

    $2.63
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  • Egg Larva - Solitude

    $2.79
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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.

    $2.79
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  • Egg Patterns Assortment--24 Flies #26

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    A selection of 24 flies from our inventory of Egg Patterns Sizes may vary depending on availability This assortment inlcudes: Glo Bug Beadhead s...

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  • Egg Sucking Stone-Beadhead

    $1.22
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    These guys are monsters that pack a punch, if you don't catch a fish with one of these bad boys it is because the fish are scared of it. Great for...

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  • Eggi Juan Kenobi-Beadhead

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    This hybrid egg/worm is gaining popularity at an alarming rate.  Better have a few in the box for when the fish are stubborn, or there is nothing...

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  • Eggo

    $0.85
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    Fish love eggs. They will eat them indiscriminately. This pattern has dumbbell eyes that add weight to help get it down where it needs to be.

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  • Eggstacy-Beadhead

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    Eggstacy chenille is an incredible material for egg patterns, it gives the fly a transparent look to it when wet. It is extremely easy to tie th...

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  • Estaz Stone

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    Steelhead have an affinity for stones, beginning as a juvenile. A bright thorax acts as an attraction. Also useful for trout. Stoneflies are a...

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  • Great Lake/Erie Steelhead Assortment #27

    $21.95
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    24 Fly assortment Sizes may vary depending on availability  Our top selling Erie Steelhead flies, in the most popular sizes and colors. This assor...

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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.

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