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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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  • Princess Nymph Tungsten - Solitude

    $2.79
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    Original price $2.79 - Original price $2.79
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    $2.79 - $2.79
    Current price $2.79

    A steelhead nymph that produces! Swings well too!  Works well as stonefly ore general attractor for trout too.

    $2.79
    Original price
    Original price $2.79 - Original price $2.79
    Original price
    $2.79 - $2.79
    Current price $2.79
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Pupa-Trator - Solitude

    $2.79
    Original price
    Original price $2.79 - Original price $2.79
    Original price
    $2.79 - $2.79
    Current price $2.79

    A steelhead nymph that produces! Swings well too!  Works well as caddis or general attractor for trout too.

    $2.79
    Original price
    Original price $2.79 - Original price $2.79
    Original price
    $2.79 - $2.79
    Current price $2.79
    Coming soon
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Purple Stone-Beadhead

    $1.50
    Original price
    Original price $1.50 - Original price $1.50
    Original price
    $1.50 - $1.50
    Current price $1.50

    Fish it dead drift, down deep. Then feed it on the swing. Often works when others fail. Produces strikes throughout the range of steelhead.

    $1.50
    Original price
    Original price $1.50 - Original price $1.50
    Original price
    $1.50 - $1.50
    Current price $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.

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