Fishing Information

Erie Steelhead Flies


As we stated in our article on Pacific Steelhead flies, the steelhead fisheries of the Great Lakes region has developed differently. First off the Erie steelhead has only been around a little over a hundred years. First planted in the 1880's, the steelhead nearly died off in the 1950's due to pollution in Lake Erie. But since the 1980's, intense stocking efforts by Ontario, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have been the reason for this area being nicknamed Steelhead Alley.

Erie steelheaders use a wide array flies in their pursuit of this most worthy game fish. One can classify them broadly in the same way trout angler's classify flies. In general the Erie steelheader carries a variety of streamers, egg patterns, and nymphs.

Steelhead feed heavily on schools of shad, smelt and other fish in the summer months. And when they first enter the river they have fish on their brains. Streamer patterns are the thing to start off with, when steelhead are first stacking up to make their run. Primary patterns used are the Woolly Bugger, Mickey Finn, Muddler Minnows and other streamer patterns. Dead drifted or swung they are deadly in the early months.

Steelhead consume lots of eggs in their lifetime. Especially in the winter, when suckers move up the rivers to spawn. The most popular egg pattern is the Sucker Spawn, with the Crystal Meth a close second. Egg patterns are generally bounced along the bottom. And are a good choice all winter long into March.

The last class of patterns fished for Erie steelhead is the basic nymph and beadhead nymphs. Like trout, steelhead consume lots of nymphs in their lifetime. The same nymphs that are popular for trout fishing are used in Steelhead Alley. With Hare's Ear, Prince, caddis larva and stonefly imitations being the most popular. Buggy nymphs seem to work best, and although bug life is fairly dormant in the winter these are never a bad choice.

Some classic steelhead patterns from the Northwest are used as well, including the Green Butt Skunk. And in murky waters the Popsicle is popular along with other bright streamers.

After reaching the water, use some of the same techniques discussed on out other steelhead articles, clearer water go smaller and more subtle colors, high, murky water go brighter and larger. All flies mentioned in this articles are available at http://www.bigyflyco.com.

About The Author

Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company - http://www.bigyflyco.com. He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com.


MORE RESOURCES:


MSN News UK

Mother bear rescues cub from a fishing net in Alaska
BBC News
Amateur video has captured footage of a mother bear saving her cub from a fishing net in Anchorage, Alaska. The mother desperately struggled to save her cub ...
Neighbors help bear cub trapped in fishing netKTVB

all 20 news articles »


Northern California fishing report
San Jose Mercury News
Bass fishing is slow. Catfish will be planted weekly. (925) 284-9669. LOS VAQUEROS: Striped-bass bite is back on. Frozen shad or anchovies work best. ...
OUTDOORS: Weekly fishing report, July 29North County Times

all 4 news articles »


Taylor Lake offers anglers good opportunity for bass and blue gill
Bend Bulletin
BIG LAVA LAKE: No recent report but fishing for rainbow trout has been good throughout spring and early summer. The fish have been in great condition ...
Fishing reportDetroit Free Press
fishing reportLas Vegas Review-Journal
Fishing Line: 07/29/10Sacramento Bee
ConnectMidMichigan.com -MLive.com
all 15 news articles »


DE Spears likes Louisiana fishing
Fort Worth Star Telegram
But back to fishing, here are five thoughts from Spears: 1"I'm from Louisiana. I like to fish in pits. They are off the bayou of the Mississippi River. ...

and more »


Action remains fine as fishing effort down
Seattle Times
Heading into the heart of summer the wide variety of fishing opportunities continue to offer decent action. By Mark Yuasa Seattle native and lifelong angler ...

and more »


Final two Overnight Fishing Opportunities of the summer are Aug. 21 and 28
Kansas City Star
7/28/10 - The second of two overnight fishing opportunities planned this summer at Kill Creek Park Lake and the fourth of four at Shawnee Mission Park Lake ...

and more »


The Hindu

Iceland tells EU: "We keep control of fishing"
Fish Update
ICELAND has told the European Union that its fishing grounds are not open to negotiation and must remain under the control of the Reykjavik Government. ...
Iceland defies EU fishing rulesBBC News
Iceland wants to stay out of EU fishing policyBusinessWeek
Iceland seeks EU membership benefits, but fishing and Icesave remain thorny issuesInternational Business Times
Winnipeg Free Press -UPI.com -BusinessWeek
all 149 news articles »


Telegraph.co.uk

BP Oil Spill: Fisherman Say It's Time to Reopen Some Fishing Grounds
ABC News
Bobby Jindal and Gulf Residents Want to Begin Fishing Again By JEFFREY KOFMAN On day 99 of BP's oil spill crisis, almost a quarter of the Gulf of Mexico ...
NBC's Anne Thompson Reflects On 100 Days In The GulfHuffington Post (blog)
100 Days After Spill Gulf Still at RiskFOXNews (blog)
100 days of oil: Gulf life will never be the sameThe Associated Press
Natural Resources Defense Council (blog) -Voice of America -Albany Times Union
all 4,623 news articles »


Fishing derby rescheduled to this weekend
Suburban Life Publications
By Anonymous The annual Clarendon Hills Park District fishing derby, postponed last week due to heavy rains, will take place at 8 am Saturday, ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006