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
  • Agent Onyx - 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! Great for off color waters.  Works well as stonefly 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.
  • Barr's Copper John Steelhead Rubberleg - Umpqua

    $4.40
    Original price
    Original price $4.40 - Original price $5.50
    Original price
    $4.40 - $5.50
    Current price $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...

    View full details
    $4.40
    Original price
    Original price $4.40 - Original price $5.50
    Original price
    $4.40 - $5.50
    Current price $4.40
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Beadhead Lifter - Solitude

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

    The Beadhead Lifter is a great little egg fly that is super fishy Used mostly as a nymph, but it swings well too Available in #6 A sweet pattern d...

    View full details
    $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.
  • Beadhead R.L. Cotton Candy - Solitude

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

    The BH RL Cotton Candy is a sweet little egg pattern. Great for nymphing for steelhead or egg eating trout. Pattern developed by Tom Larimer

    $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.
  • Copper Swan - Solitude

    $2.51
    Original price
    Original price $2.51 - Original price $2.51
    Original price
    $2.51 - $2.51
    Current price $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
    Original price
    Original price $2.51 - Original price $2.51
    Original price
    $2.51 - $2.51
    Current price $2.51
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Crystal Meth

    $0.85
    Original price
    Original price $0.85 - Original price $0.85
    Original price
    $0.85 - $0.85
    Current price $0.85

      Another great pattern designed first for the Lake Erie steelhead. Very similar to the Sucker Spawn, but more reflective. Great for murky wate...

    View full details
    $0.85
    Original price
    Original price $0.85 - Original price $0.85
    Original price
    $0.85 - $0.85
    Current price $0.85
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Deep October Caddis Pupa - Umpqua

    $4.35
    Original price
    Original price $4.35 - Original price $4.35
    Original price
    $4.35 - $4.35
    Current price $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 ...

    View full details
    $4.35
    Original price
    Original price $4.35 - Original price $4.35
    Original price
    $4.35 - $4.35
    Current price $4.35
    Coming soon
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Egg Larva - Solitude

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

    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
    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.
  • Eggi Juan Kenobi-Beadhead

    $0.89
    Original price
    Original price $0.89 - Original price $0.89
    Original price
    $0.89 - $0.89
    Current price $0.89

    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...

    View full details
    $0.89
    Original price
    Original price $0.89 - Original price $0.89
    Original price
    $0.89 - $0.89
    Current price $0.89
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Eggstacy-Beadhead

    $0.89
    Original price
    Original price $0.89 - Original price $0.89
    Original price
    $0.89 - $0.89
    Current price $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...

    View full details
    $0.89
    Original price
    Original price $0.89 - Original price $0.89
    Original price
    $0.89 - $0.89
    Current price $0.89
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Estaz Stone

    $0.89
    Original price
    Original price $0.89 - Original price $0.89
    Original price
    $0.89 - $0.89
    Current price $0.89

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

    View full details
    $0.89
    Original price
    Original price $0.89 - Original price $0.89
    Original price
    $0.89 - $0.89
    Current price $0.89
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Fish Skull Zonker - Fulling Mill

    $2.98
    Original price
    Original price $2.98 - Original price $2.98
    Original price
    $2.98 - $2.98
    Current price $2.98

    Great for all rivers with hopper action This fly moves like crazy in the water and attracts fish like no. The skull adds good weight and profile ...

    View full details
    $2.98
    Original price
    Original price $2.98 - Original price $2.98
    Original price
    $2.98 - $2.98
    Current price $2.98
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Glo Bug-Beadhead

    $0.89
    Original price
    Original price $0.89 - Original price $0.89
    Original price
    $0.89 - $0.89
    Current price $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
    Original price
    Original price $0.89 - Original price $0.89
    Original price
    $0.89 - $0.89
    Current price $0.89
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Hot Head Grub

    $1.12
    Original price
    Original price $1.12 - Original price $1.12
    Original price
    $1.12 - $1.12
    Current price $1.12

    A big ole grub pattern with a hot bead to draw attention.

    $1.12
    Original price
    Original price $1.12 - Original price $1.12
    Original price
    $1.12 - $1.12
    Current price $1.12
    Coming soon
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Kaufmann Stone Rubber Legs-Beadhead

    $0.99
    Original price
    Original price $0.99 - Original price $0.99
    Original price
    $0.99 - $0.99
    Current price $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...

    View full details
    $0.99
    Original price
    Original price $0.99 - Original price $0.99
    Original price
    $0.99 - $0.99
    Current price $0.99
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Kaufmann Stone-Beadhead

    $0.99
    Original price
    Original price $0.99 - Original price $0.99
    Original price
    $0.99 - $0.99
    Current price $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...

    View full details
    $0.99
    Original price
    Original price $0.99 - Original price $0.99
    Original price
    $0.99 - $0.99
    Current price $0.99