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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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  • Candy Stone

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    Steelhead have an affinity for stones, beginning as a juvenile. Hot bead, rubber legs, flash wing case. Also useful for trout. Stoneflies are...

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

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    Another great pattern designed first for the Lake Erie steelhead. Flash and veiled. Great for murky water. Excellent egg pattern.

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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Dr Tom

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    Hugely popular for great lakes steelhead, especially in the Michigan area. Suggested to us from a Michigan fly shop as a great searching pattern a...

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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Eggi Juan Kenobi-Beadhead

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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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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Eggstacy-Beadhead

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    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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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    Fat Freddy

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    Fish love eggs.They will eat them indiscriminately. Not just steelhead and salmon either, most fish will eat eggs in salt or freshwater. Very popu...

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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    Hot Egg

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    Excellent pattern for Great Lakes Steelie, trout and Alaska.  Especially effective in low water. Has become a go to fly in very little time.

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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    Krystal Egg

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

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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    Steelhead Blood Dot

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    This pattern is legendary for the Great Lakes Steelhead. Fish eat eggs indiscriminately, this pattern originally imitated the egg sac of the sucke...

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    $0.85
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Steelhead Brassie - Solitude

    $2.46
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    $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,...

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    $2.46 - $2.46
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    $2.46
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Steelhead Hammer -- Fulling Mill

    $3.22
    $3.22 - $3.22
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    $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...

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    $3.22
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Sucker Spawn

    $0.85
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    $0.85

    This pattern is legendary;for the Great Lakes Steelhead. Fish eat eggs indiscriminately, this pattern originally imitated the egg sac of the sucke...

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    $0.85
    $0.85 - $0.85
    $0.85 - $0.85
    $0.85
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •

    Sucker Spawn-Beadhead

    $0.89
    $0.89 - $0.89
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    $0.89

    This pattern is legendary for the Great Lakes Steelhead. Fish eat eggs indiscriminately, this pattern originally imitated the egg sac of the sucke...

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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.
  •

    Trout Beads: GlowBeadz

    $3.90
    $3.90 - $4.65
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    $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...

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

    Wire Worm

    $1.12
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    $1.12

    A very popular midwest pattern. Great larger and heavier worm pattern. 

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

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