Choosing the Right Gear for Salmon and Steelhead Fly Fishing in the Great Lakes

The Great Lake tributaries of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Ontario,  provide an incredible opportunity to pursue large, hard-fighting fish on the fly and offer some of the most exciting Salmon and Steelhead fishing in North America. Chinook and coho salmon move into tributaries to spawn in early fall with steelhead following as the fall turns to winter. The Steelhead are known for their  blistering runs, aerial jumps, and long battles. 

This guide covers the essential gear for targeting Great Lakes salmon and steelhead, with an emphasis on versatility, durability, and value. We will leave the covering of Spey and Switch gear for another time.

1. Choosing the Right Fly Rod

The fly rod is the foundation of your Salmon and Steelhead setup. Great Lakes tributaries vary from small, brush-lined creeks to broad rivers with deep runs and heavy current. Your ideal rod depends on the size of the water, the fish you expect to encounter, and the techniques you plan to use.

For most beginners, a 9- to 10-foot, 7- or 8-weight fly rod is an excellent starting point.

A 9-foot, 7 or 8-weight single-hand rod is a versatile option for anglers fishing smaller and medium-sized tributaries, swinging streamers, dead-drifting egg patterns, or nymphing with an indicator. It has enough backbone for large salmon and steelhead without being unnecessarily cumbersome.

A 10-foot rod offers additional reach and line control making it especially useful when mending line and managing long drifts when using nymph rigs. 

Beginner recommendation: Start with a 9-foot, 8-weight single-hand rod. It is a dependable all-around choice that can handle both salmon and steelhead in many Great Lakes tributaries.

2. Selecting a Reliable Fly Reel

When it comes to these big fish a fly reel is more then just a place to store line. When a large steelhead takes off downstream or a fresh salmon makes a powerful run, a dependable drag system can make the difference between landing the fish and watching it swim away.

Look for a reel designed for a 7- or 8-weight rod, with a smooth, adjustable drag and enough capacity for your fly line and backing. A sealed drag is a useful and common in most quality fly reels.

A large-arbor design is essential for retrieving line quickly and reduces line memory. A durable aluminum reel is a good investment, but beginners do not need to buy a premium model.

The reel should balance the rod comfortably. An unbalanced outfit can make a long day of casting less enjoyable.

What to look for:

• A large arbor reel sized for your chosen rod weight.

• A smooth drag that starts without sticking.

• Enough room for the fly line and backing.
  

• Ability to retrieve line quickly

For salmon and steelhead, the drag should pull smoothly and not be tight. When a fish is hooked you should be able to get the extra line up quickly to use the drag.  Never lock down on the line with a grip on the handle.               

3. Fly Line And Terminal Gear

The fly line is just as important as the rod. Which fly line to choose depends on the method you are fishing with: nymphing or swinging streamers. Many fishermen will go prepared with multiple rods set up for the different methods.

 Floating line

A floating line is the most common when using a single-hand rod. It is versatile and works well for indicator nymphing and streamer fishing in shallower water.

Choose a line that matches the rod line weight and action of the rod. Some fly lines are designed to be extra heavy to aid in casting heavier streamers and nymph rigs.

Sink tips and sinking lines

Salmon and steelhead often hold in deeper runs, pools, and fast current where a floating line alone cannot get the fly down effectively.

A sink-tip line has a heavy section near the front of the line that sinks the line into the fish's holding zone. A dedicated sinking line can be useful for anglers who sometimes swing flies.

Backing and leaders

Backing is the thin, strong, 20# or 30# line that connects the fly line to the reel. It provides extra capacity when a fish runs beyond the length of your fly line. For a typical 7- or 8-weight outfit, approximately 150–200 yards of  backing is a typical. You can check for the reel manufacturer's recommendation.

A standard tapered 7.5- to 9-foot leader can be used for most floating-line applications. Tippet strength depends on fly size, clarity of the water and whether you are fishing  subsurface or not.

When fishing  a sink tip a shorter leader should be used. When nymphing in clear water, a longer leader and finer tippet may help.