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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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  • Barr's Copper John Steelhead Rubberleg - Umpqua

    $4.40
    $4.40 - $5.50
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    $4.40

    It turns out that steelhead love a copper john about as much as a landlocked rainbow trout, and that is a lot. This larger copper john features a h...

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    $4.40
    $4.40 - $5.50
    $4.40 - $5.50
    $4.40
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Circus Caddis-Beadhead

    $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
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    $0.89

    One of the very best caddis impressions out there, if not the best. Use where ever fish eat caddis, or where ever caddis and fish co-habitat. A fa...

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

    Clown Egg-Beadhead

    $0.89
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    $0.89

    An excellent egg pattern with all the best colors.  Now with a bead! They will eat them indiscriminately. Not just steelhead and salmon either, ev...

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

    Copper Swan - Solitude

    $2.51
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    $2.51

    A steelhead nymph that produces! Swings well too!  Works well as stonefly and caddis nymph for trout too. A tried and true pattern by Todd Osterson

    $2.51
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    $2.51
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Coming soon

    Deep October Caddis Pupa - Umpqua

    $4.35
    $4.35 - $4.35
    $4.35 - $4.35
    $4.35

    A quick-sinking Caddis Pupa that imitates an October Caddis extremely well. This fly works well on big trout as well as steelhead. Swing it in the ...

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    $4.35
    $4.35 - $4.35
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    $4.35
    Coming soon
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Double Bead Peacock Stonefly

    $1.12
    $1.12 - $1.12
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    $1.12

    One of the most requested patterns for us to start tying. This stone pattern is a hugely successful PNW nymph pattern. Particularly useful when ...

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    $1.12
    $1.12 - $1.12
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    $1.12
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Egg Sucking Stone-Beadhead

    $1.22
    $1.22 - $1.22
    $1.22 - $1.22
    $1.22

    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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    $1.22
    $1.22 - $1.22
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    $1.22
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Eggi Juan Kenobi-Beadhead

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

    Eggstacy-Beadhead

    $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
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    $0.89

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

    Glo Bug-Beadhead

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    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...

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

    Golden Stone Poxyback-Beadhead

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    $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...

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

    Hot Spot Wiggle Zone-Beadhead

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

    Originally designed as a steelhead nymph, this guy has also caught it's fair share of trout. A great pattern for Great Lakes Steelhead, as it is ...

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

    Jumbo John-Beadhead

    $1.12
    $1.12 - $1.12
    $1.12 - $1.12
    $1.12

    The Copper John's big brother. Great stonefly imitation for steelhead, and trout. Big, heavy, great for faster oxygenated water. Stoneflies are a...

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    $1.12
    $1.12 - $1.12
    $1.12 - $1.12
    $1.12
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Kaufmann Stone - Tungsten

    $1.22
    $1.22 - $1.22
    $1.22 - $1.22
    $1.22

    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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    $1.22
    $1.22 - $1.22
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    $1.22
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Kaufmann Stone Rubber Legs - Tungsten

    $1.22
    $1.22 - $1.22
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    $1.22

    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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    $1.22
    $1.22 - $1.22
    $1.22 - $1.22
    $1.22
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Kaufmann Stone Rubber Legs-Beadhead

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

    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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    $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
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    $0.99