The Detroit Area Steelheaders (DAS) was originally organized as a chapter of the Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishing Association (MSSFA). Tom Schneider, John Makela, Ed Raquel and Joe Sizemore, as a committee of four, founded the club in September, 1974. 

The first organizational meeting was held on October 16, 1974. Forty one people attended that first gathering at the Northwood Inn. It was decided that the first ‘annual meeting’ would be held on December 4, 1974, and that date would be the official beginning of the chapter.

DAS quickly became the largest of all MSSFA chapters. It was the DAS’ Super Spring Show that all other chapter shows were modeled after. The DAS started the first research trips on the Great Lakes, introduced river tournaments, and held salmon and steelhead river fishing clinics to teach the proper techniques in catching river run fish. This had never been done before.

In January, 1990, due to conflicts with MSSFA 96% of the members voted to withdraw DAS from MSSFA and be an independent organization. Our official name became the Detroit Area Steelheaders, Inc. a Michigan non-profit corporation.

Our official corporate purpose is: “To teach, inform, and guide the public to respect and appreciate the Great Lakes, rivers, and land around us. To promote and protect the fisheries resources therein.”