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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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  • Kaufmann Stone - Tungsten

    $1.49
    $1.49 - $1.49
    $1.49 - $1.49
    $1.49

    Especially for fast water, when your fly needs to get down fast and deep. For steelhead and torpedo like trout everywhere. Be prepared with a stou...

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    $1.49
    $1.49 - $1.49
    $1.49 - $1.49
    $1.49
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Kaufmann Stone Rubber Legs - Tungsten

    $1.49
    $1.49 - $1.49
    $1.49 - $1.49
    $1.49

    All the bells and whistles on one stonefly nymph. Especially for fast water, when your fly needs to get down fast and deep. For steelhead and torp...

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    $1.49
    $1.49 - $1.49
    $1.49 - $1.49
    $1.49
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Kaufmann Stone Rubber Legs Beadhead - Steelhead

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    Tied on Extra Strong Steelhead/Salmon hooks Fish it dead drift, down deep. Then feed it on the swing. Often works when others fail. Produces strik...

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    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Kaufmann Stone Rubber Legs-Beadhead

    $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09

    Stonefly nymphs live in clean moving water, and are an important feeding source for both trout and steelhead. All the attributes of the Beadhead K...

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    $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Kaufmann Stone-Beadhead

    $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09

    Stonefly nymphs live in clean moving water, and are an important feeding source for both trout and steelhead. All the attributes of the Beadhead K...

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    $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Krystal Egg

    $0.95
    $0.95 - $0.95
    $0.95 - $0.95
    $0.95

    Another great pattern designed first for the Lake Erie steelhead. Sparkle that fish cannot resist. Great for murky water

    $0.95
    $0.95 - $0.95
    $0.95 - $0.95
    $0.95
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.

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