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 Orange

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

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

    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.
  • Ally Shrimp

    $1.50
    Original price
    Original price $1.50 - Original price $1.50
    Original price
    $1.50 - $1.50
    Current price $1.50

    An extremely popular UK and Ireland pattern.  Atlantic Salmon absolutely love this fly. Meant to imitate translucent shrimp, or crustacean like p...

    View full details
    $1.50
    Original price
    Original price $1.50 - Original price $1.50
    Original price
    $1.50 - $1.50
    Current price $1.50
    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.
  • Big Ugly Stone

    $1.02
    Original price
    Original price $1.02 - Original price $1.02
    Original price
    $1.02 - $1.02
    Current price $1.02

    Name of the fly says it all... It's Big... It's Ugly... And it's a stone. Should fish well in any rivers stones are present, but especially well i...

    View full details
    $1.02
    Original price
    Original price $1.02 - Original price $1.02
    Original price
    $1.02 - $1.02
    Current price $1.02
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  • California Comet

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

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

    $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.
  • Candy 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. Hot bead, rubber legs, flash wing case. Also useful for trout. Stoneflies are...

    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.
  • Chicken Little - Fulling Mill

    $2.98
    Original price
    Original price $2.98 - Original price $2.98
    Original price
    $2.98 - $2.98
    Current price $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
    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.
  • 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.
  • Clown Egg-Beadhead

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

    An excellent egg pattern with all the best colors.  Now with a bead! They will eat them indiscriminately. Not just steelhead and salmon either, ev...

    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.
  • Conehead Epoxy Stone

    $1.22
    Original price
    Original price $1.22 - Original price $1.22
    Original price
    $1.22 - $1.22
    Current price $1.22

    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
    $1.22
    Original price
    Original price $1.22 - Original price $1.22
    Original price
    $1.22 - $1.22
    Current price $1.22
    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 Egg

    $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. Flash and veiled. Great for murky water. Excellent egg pattern.

    $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 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 ...

    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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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