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

  • 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: 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 t...

    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