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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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  • Agent Onyx - Solitude

    $2.79
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    A steelhead nymph that produces! Great for off color waters.  Works well as stonefly or general attractor for trout too.

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  • Agent Orange

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    Great color contrast excellent searching pattern.  Hot bead, rubber legs, flash wing case. Also useful for trout. Stoneflies are availabl...

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  • Beadhead Lifter - Solitude

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    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...

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  • Caballero

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    Originating in the Pacific Northwest for Steelhead. This older traditional styled pattern has been extremely successful for winter steelhead. Also...

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  • California Comet

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

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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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  • Clown Egg

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

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  • Comet

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

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  • Conehead Epoxy Stone

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    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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  • Copper Swan - Solitude

    $2.51
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    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

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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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  • Davis Spanker

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    Originally designed to chase bass, this fly has quickly caught on as a new go to fly when your not sure what will work. Crystal chenille quickly a...

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  • Deep October Caddis Pupa - Umpqua

    $4.35
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    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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  • Double Bead Peacock Stonefly

    $1.12
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    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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  • Dr Tom

    $0.89
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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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  • Egg Sucking Stone-Beadhead

    $1.22
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    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
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    Current price $1.22
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  • Eggo

    $0.85
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    Fish love eggs. They will eat them indiscriminately. This pattern has dumbbell eyes that add weight to help get it down where it needs to be.

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  • Estaz Stone

    $0.89
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    Steelhead have an affinity for stones, beginning as a juvenile. A bright thorax acts as an attraction. Also useful for trout. Stoneflies are a...

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  • Fat Freddy

    $0.60
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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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