| As we stated in our article on Pacific | | | | Steelhead consume lots of eggs in their |
| Steelhead flies, the steelhead fisheries of | | | | lifetime. Especially in the winter, when |
| the Great Lakes region has developed | | | | suckers move up the rivers to spawn. The most |
| differently. First off the Erie steelhead has | | | | popular egg pattern is the Sucker Spawn, with |
| only been around a little over a hundred | | | | the Crystal Meth a close second. Egg patterns |
| years. First planted in the 1880's, the | | | | are generally bounced along the bottom. And |
| steelhead nearly died off in the 1950's due | | | | are a good choice all winter long into March. |
| to pollution in Lake Erie. But since the | | | | |
| 1980's, intense stocking efforts by Ontario, | | | | The last class of patterns fished for Erie |
| New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have been | | | | steelhead is the basic nymph and beadhead |
| the reason for this area being nicknamed | | | | nymphs. Like trout, steelhead consume lots of |
| Steelhead Alley. | | | | nymphs in their lifetime. The same nymphs |
| | | | that are popular for trout fishing are used |
| Erie steelheaders use a wide array flies in | | | | in Steelhead Alley. With Hare's Ear, Prince, |
| their pursuit of this most worthy game fish. | | | | caddis larva and stonefly imitations being |
| One can classify them broadly in the same way | | | | the most popular. Buggy nymphs seem to work |
| trout angler's classify flies. In general the | | | | best, and although bug life is fairly dormant |
| Erie steelheader carries a variety of | | | | in the winter these are never a bad choice. |
| streamers, egg patterns, and nymphs. | | | | |
| | | | Some classic steelhead patterns from the |
| Steelhead feed heavily on schools of shad, | | | | Northwest are used as well, including the |
| smelt and other fish in the summer months. | | | | Green Butt Skunk. And in murky waters the |
| And when they first enter the river they have | | | | Popsicle is popular along with other bright |
| fish on their brains. Streamer patterns are | | | | streamers. |
| the thing to start off with, when steelhead | | | | |
| are first stacking up to make their run. | | | | After reaching the water, use some of the |
| Primary patterns used are the woolly bugger, | | | | same techniques discussed on out other |
| Mickey Finn, Muddler Minnows and other | | | | steelhead articles, clearer water go smaller |
| streamer patterns. Dead drifted or swung they | | | | and more subtle colors, high, murky water go |
| are deadly in the early months. | | | | brighter and larger. |
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