Steelhead Fishing in Western NY

Are you looking for world-class Steelhead fishing in western, NY? Look no further! Adventure Bound in Ellicottville, NY has the guides, the gear and the knowledge to help you live out the fly fishing experience of your dreams.

But it’s not just about the fishing. We know how important it is to keep your non-fishing family members happy too! When it comes to activities for the entire family, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better fly fishing destination than Ellicottville. In addition to world-class Steelhead fishing amid the stunning canyon capes and gorges of Zoar Valley, Ellicottville offers great lodging, restaurants, a wide variety of activities, shopping and the welcoming community of Ellicottville, New York.

Anglers and non-anglers can enjoy a wonderful experience in Ellicottville with an assortment of adventures for the family including Sky High Adventure Park at Holiday Valley Resort, bike rentals to take advantage of the amazing trail system in and around Ellicottville at EBR (Ellicottville Bike Rentals), Ellicottville Oasis Spa inside the Tamarack Club at Holiday Valley, kayak and SUP rentals at Adventure Bound, hiking and swimming at nearby Allegany State Park and the wide array of shopping venues that make mountain towns so charming.

For eight months of the year, Ellicottville is a geographic hub for some of the most diverse fly fishing opportunities in the country. In spring and fall anglers are impassioned  by the chance to catch Steelhead, Pike, Muskie, Walleye and Bass on the fly. Those who are up for a bigger challenge will fish for the 20 lb. freshtwater bonefish (otherwise known as Carp).

But the most exciting species of them all is the steelhead.

As you probably know, Steelhead and Rainbow Trout are categorized as the same species, Oncorhynchus Mykiss. The major difference is that Rainbow Trout live exclusively in freshwater and Steelhead are anadromous, or go to sea.  Unlike most Salmon, Steelhead can survive spawning, and will spawn multiple times.

Various Steelhead strains throughout the past decades have been introduced to the tributaries of the Great Lakes.  Adventure Bound OnTheFly anglers access these fish on the world famous tributaries of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.  Fly fishing publications refer to these Erie tributaries as “Steelhead Alley”.

These naturally anadromous steelhead, known as “Lake Run Rainbows”, enter the tributaries by the tens, hundreds and thousands every fall winter and spring to spawn.  Timing of the runs is largely dependent upon weather conditions and lake temperature.  During a typical season, air becomes cooler in late September, accompanied by several fall rain showers. When these conditions exist, you can expect the Steelhead to be in the creeks October through May.  Though some Steelhead can be caught year around, the fall and spring months are the peak season to target these magnificently strong fighting fish.

Steelhead can test the best of tackle with strong, powerful runs downstream, and then back up, followed by a huge leap into the air.  Every part of your rig will be tested as the drag of your reel screams, your rod bends from tip to butt and your leader gets dragged across rocks.