Fly Rods
Echo Spey Rod
A two-handed rod for swinging flies across big steelhead and salmon runs.
Check PriceSpecies / Steelhead
Trout & Salmon
Steelhead Fishing
Migratory rainbow trout that run up coastal rivers from the ocean, and up Great Lakes tributaries from the lakes, to spawn. Winter runs make steelhead a cold-weather obsession.
Best Months: Oct to Apr
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Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Steelhead
Month
6 picks for October.
Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyEgg Pattern #8-16
FlyNymph · Indicator rig.
Shop This FlyIntruder 2 to 4 in
FlyStreamer · Swung on a spey rod.
Shop This FlyEgg-Sucking Leech #2-6
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlyInline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz
LureSpinner
Shop This LureCured Salmon Eggs Single or cluster
BaitNatural Bait · Where bait is legal.
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Rod & Reel
Steelhead Setup
Steelhead
Fly 11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.
Spin / Cast 8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.
The US
Where to Catch Steelhead
Rivers & Streams · Alaska
Anchor River
A small Kenai Peninsula river with late summer coho and a fall steelhead run. Early summer king seasons are often closed by emergency order.
Steelhead · Coho Salmon
Rivers & Streams · California
American River
A Sacramento area river with spring shad, summer stripers, and winter steelhead.
Striped Bass · American Shad · Steelhead
Rivers & Streams · California
Klamath River
Runs through the northwestern mountains. Summer steelhead and fall salmon runs.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon
Rivers & Streams · California
Lower Sacramento River
A big tailwater below Keswick Dam at Redding with year-round drift boat fishing for wild rainbows.
Rainbow Trout · Chinook Salmon · Steelhead
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
Clearwater River
Home to the B-run, among the largest steelhead in the Columbia Basin, from fall through spring.
Steelhead · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
Main Salmon River
Wild and Scenic river through the Frank Church wilderness. Fall steelhead and Chinook.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Indiana
St. Joseph River
A Lake Michigan tributary with steelhead and salmon runs into South Bend and Mishawaka.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Smallmouth Bass
Rivers & Streams · Michigan
Manistee River
A big river below Tippy Dam with heavy salmon and steelhead runs.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Michigan
Pere Marquette River
A wild, free-flowing river with salmon in fall, steelhead in winter and spring, and resident browns.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · New York
Salmon River
The Lake Ontario tributary at Pulaski, famous for fall king salmon and winter steelhead.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon
Rivers & Streams · Ohio
Chagrin River
A Lake Erie tributary with a steelhead run and summer smallmouth.
Steelhead · Smallmouth Bass
Rivers & Streams · Ohio
Rocky River
A Steelhead Alley tributary in Cleveland Metroparks with fall through spring steelhead.
Steelhead
Rivers & Streams · Oregon
Deschutes River
Desert canyon river known for redsides and a summer steelhead run.
Redband Trout · Steelhead
Rivers & Streams · Oregon
North Umpqua River
A legendary steelhead river with a long fly-only stretch, summer runs, and challenging wading.
Steelhead
Rivers & Streams · Oregon
Rogue River
A Southern Oregon river with spring chinook, half-pounder steelhead, and winter runs.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon
Rivers & Streams · Pennsylvania
Elk Creek
One of the most popular Erie tributaries for fall through spring steelhead.
Steelhead
Rivers & Streams · Washington
Skagit River
A big glacial river with wild steelhead and salmon runs.
Steelhead · Coho Salmon · Chinook Salmon
Rivers & Streams · Wisconsin
Bois Brule River
A historic Lake Superior tributary with steelhead and brown trout runs.
Steelhead · Brown Trout
Recommended
Gear for Steelhead
Fly Reels
Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.
Check PriceFly Lines
Scientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line
Gets streamers down to fish holding deep in current.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet
Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.
Check PriceFlies
Steelhead Fly Assortment
Egg patterns, leeches, and swing flies for winter runs.
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