By Jesse Fleeger – Fleeger’s Flies LLC
Lower Elk Creek delivered this steelhead, one of many great streams to choose from!
This blog is part of a series featuring guest writers from around the country. In this installment, Jesse Fleeger, owner of Fleeger’s Flies LLC, shares some of the most productive patterns anglers use to target steelhead in the Lake Erie tributaries.
There’s nothing quite like the crack of a frosty morning along the Lake Erie tributaries. The mist rising off the water, the crunch of gravel under your boots, and that heart-pounding moment when your indicator hesitates—steelhead season is electric.
For years, I’ve chased these silver bullets across Erie’s tributaries—from the well-known stretches of Elk, Walnut, and 20 Mile to the tucked-away flows less traveled. One thing remains consistent: steelhead are fickle, but the right fly at the right time can turn a cold, quiet day into a rod-bending frenzy.
Knowing there are so many patterns to choose from on today’s market, here’s a breakdown of the patterns I recommend to make your day on the water a productive one.
Go-To Patterns That Just Work
This steelhead crushed the Blue Blood Dot Egg. Go with this color especially when locating fish in deeper runs.
Two patterns that have earned permanent residence in my box come from the legend Jeff Blood. Jeff Blood is a seasoned fly angler and tier with over 40 years of experience targeting Great Lakes steelhead—primarily in Lake Erie tributaries near his Pennsylvania roots. Don’t fish without these patterns in your box!
Jeff’s White Death Zonker is an absolute killer. That subtle wiggle and lifelike movement can provoke even the most sluggish fish into striking. I typically swing or strip it slow through deeper slots, especially when fish are staged up but not actively moving.
The “Blood Dot Egg” is another pattern that flat-out catches fish, and while I usually run it in peach, chartreuse, or classic orange depending on water clarity, one seriously overlooked but deadly variation is blue.
Why blue? It might not look natural to us, but blue excels in cold, clear water—especially at depth—because blue wavelengths penetrate farther than reds or oranges, keeping the fly visible in deeper runs where steelhead often hold. It maintains contrast in soft light and shadows, making it easier for fish to find when other colors fade out. Blue Blood Dots have saved more than a few slow mornings for me.
Slept-On Patterns That Deserve More Time
A red Squirmy Wormy did the trick on this steelhead!
• Sucker Spawn – Yeah, it’s been around forever, but many folks overlook how versatile it is. Tie it sparse in low water or bulkier in off-color flows. Steelhead love it. Learn how to tie it: HERE
• Roger’s White Wiggler – Created by local angler Roger Latimer, this overlooked gem imitates a tight cluster of maggots. It excels in low and clear water conditions, especially when fish are pressured and not willing to chase. It’s subtle, natural, and deadly effective.
• Squirmy Wormies – These soft, wiggly patterns are especially effective in pink and red. Some anglers refuse to use them for whatever reason, but I’ve had stellar days on the water fishing these. They’re great for getting attention, especially when fish are hesitant or water conditions are tough.
• Black Stoneflies – Dead-drifted small stones can be the ticket, especially mid-winter when steelhead aren’t interested in big, gaudy flies. Size 10–14 does the trick.
• Kurt’s Creek Minnow – Designed by Kurt Bitikofer, a local charter captain, this under-the-radar streamer imitates the Emerald Shiners that are so common in the Lake Erie system. It’s an excellent choice when steelhead are keyed in on baitfish. Strip it, swing it, or dead-drift it through tailouts and slow pools.
• Steelhead Hammer – You can say it’s an egg-sucking nymph. This nymph features a lot of colorful flash that grabs attention. It works great under an indicator or swung through the water, triggering aggressive strikes from steelhead that are looking for something more exciting than your typical egg or nymph.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment!
Steelhead are moody. What they eat on Monday, they might ignore on Tuesday. That’s why I always recommend having a solid mix of colors, sizes, and profiles in your box. Confidence is key—if you believe in the fly at the end of your line, you’re already fishing better.
As we roll into the thick of the season, now’s the time to load up, get out there, and make the most of what Lake Erie’s world-class fishery has to offer. Whether you’re new to chasing chrome or you’ve been at it for decades, it’s the challenge, the unpredictability, and that unforgettable tug that keeps us coming back.
Jesse Fleeger (far right), taking a pause during a recent show, seen here with members of his Pro Team, including: Vince Loccisano, Sam Boyle, and Fred Geer.
Big shoutout to the Fleeger’s Flies Pro Team — a crew of passionate anglers & guides from across the country who put in serious time on the water and help dial in what works. If you ever have questions, want honest fly suggestions, or need some tips and tricks, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of them. They’re not just great fishermen—they’re great people too.
Check them out: www.fleegersflies.com/pro-team
If you’re looking for flies that are proven on these waters—or just want to talk strategy—check out www.fleegersflies.com or hit me up on Instagram @fleegersflies. See you on the creek.