If you're fishing Great Lakes tribs, the fishing is relatively easy. The creeks are usually not large raging rivers and, due to stocking, some get enourmous runs of fish. Fishing a nymphing rig with small egg patterns or nymphs will hook plenty of fish. Streamers will also be effective. Keep in mind typical Great Lakes fly rod steelheading is very disimilar to western steelheading. In most cases you're not seeking out a couple of solitary fish in big water. More likely, you'll be fishing over pods of 10 or more (often much more) fish that are holding in a well defined lie.

In short, Great Lakes Steelhead are numerous, easily accesable, and easy to hook. If you can catch trout on streamers and nymphs, you can catch steelhead in the east.

Western Steelhead are not so easy.

Kev