Great Lakes Winter Steelhead - Chasing Chrome in the Cold
Rick Kustich
Fly Fisher/Fly Tyer/Author
★ ★ ★ ★ ★Rick Kustich is just getting started when icy winds sweep across the Great Lakes and most anglers pack it in, Rick shares his proven strategies for finding and catching winter steelhead in freezing conditions. Discover how these powerful fish adapt to the cold, what flies trigger their strikes, and the best techniques for slow, deep presentations when water temps drop near freezing. Whether you’re a die-hard steelheader or dreaming of your first chrome in the snow, Rick’s insights will help you turn winter’s chill into your hottest season yet.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
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- What makes winter steelheaders such a unique and dedicated breed of anglers?
- How do Great Lakes winter steelhead differ biologically and behaviorally from their Pacific-coast ancestors?
- Why do you think winter steelhead have adapted so well to the Great Lakes since their introduction in the late 1800s?
- Can you explain how water temperature and metabolism affect a winter steelhead’s movement and feeding behavior?
- How do weather patterns—especially snow, rain, and barometric changes—impact the bite?
- What are your go-to rod and line setups for both swinging and nymphing winter steelhead?
- How do you balance the need for depth and control when choosing sink tips or leaders?
- What types of holding water are most productive for winter steelhead—boulder pockets, gravel runs, or tailouts?
- How important is timing in a winter day—should you be fishing the warmest part of the afternoon?
- How do subtle water temperature changes, even a degree or two, alter fish activity and feeding?
- When you’re selecting flies, what patterns give you the best chance—Intruders, Sculpins, Eggs, or something else?
- How has the two-handed or “Spey” revolution changed the way anglers target winter steelhead in the Great Lakes?
- How effective is Euro-nymphing for Great Lakes steelhead, and what are its pros and cons in winter conditions?
- What method if any do you use to deter ice on your fly rods guides when fishing cold weather?
- Winter steelheading often means long hours with few bites. How do you keep your mental focus and motivation high?
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