JavaScript is required to view this page.
Skip to content
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

Read More

Filters

$
$
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z All

  • Glo Bug Red Dot

    $0.85
    $0.85 - $0.85
    $0.85 - $0.85
    $0.85

    Fish love eggs. They will eat them indiscriminately. Not just steelhead and salmon either, every fish wil eat any eggs. Don't go to Alaska without...

    View full details
    $0.85
    $0.85 - $0.85
    $0.85 - $0.85
    $0.85
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Glo Bug with Dot-Beadhead

    $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89

    A small bead head keeps this fly down where the fish are.  These patterns are especially effective for Erie Steelies

    $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Glo Bug-Beadhead

    $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89

    The bead helps this pattern get down better, especially effective bouncing along river bottoms. There isn't a fish out there that won't hit an egg...

    View full details
    $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Glow Wiggler

    $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99

    Hugely popular for great lakes steelhead, especially in the Michigan. Suggested to us from a Michigan fly shop as a great searching pattern and g...

    View full details
    $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Golden Stone Poxyback-Beadhead

    $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89

    The poxyback on this pattern adds an attractant that fish can't help but see. Great pattern for when the stoneflies are hatching. Try in a dead d...

    View full details
    $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.

Compare products

{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}

Select first item to compare

Select second item to compare

Select third item to compare

Compare