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

  • Barr's Copper John Steelhead Rubberleg - Umpqua

    $5.50
    $5.50 - $5.50
    $5.50 - $5.50
    $5.50

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

    Chicken Little - Fulling Mill

    $2.98
    $2.98 - $2.98
    $2.98 - $2.98
    $2.98

    The Chicken Little is a classic East Coast Steelhead fly. Great on a heavily nymphing rig. Invented by Patrick Robinson of Steelhead Alley Outfi...

    View full details
    $2.98
    $2.98 - $2.98
    $2.98 - $2.98
    $2.98
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Save 10% Save %

    Circus Caddis-Beadhead

    $0.89
    $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $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...

    View full details
    $0.89
    $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99
    $0.89 - $0.89
    $0.89
    Save 10% Save %
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Comet

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

    Specialized in Northern California. Now used up and down the west coast for steelies, sea run cutts and salmon. Sinks quickly, attracts mightily...

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

    Conehead Epoxy Stone

    $1.32
    $1.32 - $1.32
    $1.32 - $1.32
    $1.32

    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...

    View full details
    $1.32
    $1.32 - $1.32
    $1.32 - $1.32
    $1.32
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Copper Swan - Solitude

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

    Egg Patterns Assortment--24 Flies #26

    $22.70
    $22.70 - $22.70
    $22.70 - $22.70
    $22.70

    A selection of 24 flies from our inventory of Egg Patterns Sizes may vary depending on availability This assortment inlcudes: Glo Bug Beadhead s...

    View full details
    $22.70
    $22.70 - $22.70
    $22.70 - $22.70
    $22.70
    Coming soon
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Eggstacy-Beadhead

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

    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
    $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Coming soon

    Golden Stone Poxyback-Beadhead

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

    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
    $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99 - $0.99
    $0.99
    Coming soon
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Coming soon

    Hot Head Grub

    $1.01
    $1.12
    $1.12 - $1.12
    $1.12
    $1.01 - $1.01
    $1.01

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

    $1.01
    $1.12
    $1.12 - $1.12
    $1.12
    $1.01 - $1.01
    $1.01
    Coming soon
    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...

    View full details
    $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09 - $1.09
    $1.09
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Save 10% Save %

    October Phat Ass - Solitude

    $2.51
    $2.79
    $2.79 - $2.79
    $2.79
    $2.51 - $2.51
    $2.51

    This sweet little pattern was developed as a steelhead fly, but has proven effective for trout as well. It can be fished on the swing or a dead d...

    View full details
    $2.51
    $2.79
    $2.79 - $2.79
    $2.79
    $2.51 - $2.51
    $2.51
    Save 10% Save %
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Otter's Soft Milking Egg - Montana Fly Co

    $2.99
    $2.99 - $2.99
    $2.99 - $2.99
    $2.99

    Soft, realistic egg pattern that is as productive as it looks Available in nice sizes for steelhead fishing as well as big trout Please note that ...

    View full details
    $2.99
    $2.99 - $2.99
    $2.99 - $2.99
    $2.99
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Salmon/Steelhead Woolly Bugger

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

    You asked for it, we provide; a woolly bugger on a super strong, salmon-friendly hook. The classic pattern is now beefed up for our Great Lakes an...

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

    Steelhead Brassie - Solitude

    $2.46
    $2.46 - $2.46
    $2.46 - $2.46
    $2.46

    Great summer steelhead fly. When the water is clear and the fish are skiddish this is a great go to pattern. Small enough not to scare fish off,...

    View full details
    $2.46
    $2.46 - $2.46
    $2.46 - $2.46
    $2.46
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Coming soon

    Steelhead Hammer -- Fulling Mill

    $3.22
    $3.22 - $3.22
    $3.22 - $3.22
    $3.22

    One of today's to pattern when going for steelhead. Available in a range of colors and sizes to ensure success This is a standard in Great Lakes S...

    View full details
    $3.22
    $3.22 - $3.22
    $3.22 - $3.22
    $3.22
    Coming soon
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Steelhead Stone

    $0.94
    $0.94 - $0.94
    $0.94 - $0.94
    $0.94

    Steelhead have an affinity for stones, beginning as a juvenile. These patterns have a bright colored thorax that drives them to strike. Swing it o...

    View full details
    $0.94
    $0.94 - $0.94
    $0.94 - $0.94
    $0.94
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • Coming soon

    Sub Golden Stone-Beadhead

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

    What? Is that a new stone pattern? You bet it is, if you are like us you are counting down the days until the next Salmonfly and Stonefly hatches...

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

    Trout Beads: BeadHooks

    $7.75
    $7.75 - $7.75
    $7.75 - $7.75
    $7.75

    There is an endless supply of hooks on the market designed for specific fisheries. The TroutBeads BeadHook™ is the only hook ever that was tested,...

    View full details
    $7.75
    $7.75 - $7.75
    $7.75 - $7.75
    $7.75
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Trout Beads: BloodDotEggs

    $4.65
    $4.65 - $4.65
    $4.65 - $4.65
    $4.65

    Trout Beads Blood Dot Eggs may be one of the most productive and realistic beads made. Trout Beads took their Mottled Beads and added a blood red ...

    View full details
    $4.65
    $4.65 - $4.65
    $4.65 - $4.65
    $4.65
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Trout Beads: GlowBeadz

    $3.90
    $3.90 - $4.65
    $3.90 - $4.65
    $3.90

    Troutbeads Glowbeadz are a relatively new item from Troutbeads and are quickly becoming the go-to item in the Steelheaders box. Glowbeadz will glo...

    View full details
    $3.90
    $3.90 - $4.65
    $3.90 - $4.65
    $3.90
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Trout Beads: MottledBeads

    $3.90
    $3.90 - $4.65
    $3.90 - $4.65
    $3.90

    Trout Beads Mottled Beads not only allow trout, steelhead or salmon fishermen to match the hatch, it also them a great fishing bead and jig bead s...

    View full details
    $3.90
    $3.90 - $4.65
    $3.90 - $4.65
    $3.90
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Trout Beads: TB Peggz

    $7.75
    $7.75 - $7.75
    $7.75 - $7.75
    $7.75

    TB Peggz double ended rubber pegs. Two uses per piece so you get 100 peg uses per 50 count package. Non abrasive so you don't scratch your leader ...

    View full details
    $7.75
    $7.75 - $7.75
    $7.75 - $7.75
    $7.75
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Trout Beads: TroutBeads

    $2.95
    $2.95 - $2.95
    $2.95 - $2.95
    $2.95

    TroutBeads were created to mimic the different stages and colors of a fish egg from freshly laid to completely spawned or washed out. These are th...

    View full details
    $2.95
    $2.95 - $2.95
    $2.95 - $2.95
    $2.95
    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