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
  • Circus Caddis-Beadhead

    $0.89
    Original price
    Original price $0.89 - Original price $0.89
    Original price
    $0.89 - $0.89
    Current price $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
    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.
  • Clown Egg

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

    Fish love eggs. They will eat them indiscriminately. Not just steelhead and salmon either, every fish wil eat any eggs. Developed in Michigan for ...

    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.
  • 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.
  • Glo Bug Red Dot

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

    Fish love eggs. They will eat them indiscriminately. Not just steelhead and salmon either, every fish wil eat any eggs. Don't go to Alaska without...

    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.
  • 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 Egg

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

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

    $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.
  • Steelie Golden Stone-Beadhead

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

    Steelhead have an affinity for stones, beginning as a juvenile. These have a shiny body, and great rubber leg action. Also useful for trout. ...

    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.
  • Sucker Spawn

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

    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.
  • Y2K No bead

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

    Fish love eggs. They will eat them indiscriminately. Not just steelhead and salmon either, every fish will eat any eggs. Very popular for Erie Ste...

    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.
  • Y2K--Beadhead

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

    Fish love eggs. They will eat them indiscriminately. Not just steelhead and salmon either, every fish will eat any eggs. Very popular for Erie Ste...

    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.

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