The Articulate Fly

Episode Overview
Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides returns to The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for another Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report, breaking down how a fresh round of heavy late summer rain has muddied the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers and reshaped smallmouth positioning heading into Labor Day. Shumaker explains how localized thunderstorm tracks determine which branch of the Susquehanna blows out and which stays clean, meaning anglers who understand the West Branch/North Branch dynamic on the Susquehanna and the Juniata Valley's own storm patterns can often salvage half a river rather than write off an entire day. He details a mud line strategy for fishing the boundary between clear and discolored water and lays out when to stick with "bug" patterns tight to clear banks versus when to switch to intermediate lines and streamers in colors like black-and-purple or chartreuse-and-orange once water clarity drops off. As rising but still fishable flows push Susquehanna smallmouth tighter onto mid-river structure such as grass beds, islands and rock ledges, Shumaker also covers how those fish use discolored water the same way they use shade or cover, sitting in the murk to ambush prey. On the seasonal side, he notes that a lack of an early hard frost could extend the region's topwater bite into the back half of September.
Key Takeaways
How to read localized thunderstorm tracks to figure out which branch of the Susquehanna will blow out and which stays fishable
Why smallmouth bass hold in muddy or discolored water as an ambush point the same way they use shade or grass cover
When to switch from "bug" fishing tight to clear banks over to streamer fishing once you move more than about five feet into discolored water
How rising but still fishable Susquehanna flows push smallmouth bass tighter onto mid-river structure like grass beds, islands and rock ledges
Why the lack of an early hard frost can extend Pennsylvania's topwater bite into late September
How to pick streamer colors like black-and-purple or chartreuse-and-orange with intermediate lines for muddy high water smallmouth fishing

Techniques & Gear Covered
Shumaker walks through a mud line approach that targets the seam between clear and discolored water where smallmouth bass concentrate during high flows alongside a two-track presentation strategy that pairs "bug" patterns fished tight to clear banks with streamer fishing once anglers move into muddier water. For the streamer side, he favors intermediate lines paired with baitfish-style patterns in black-and-purple or chartreuse-and-orange color combinations chosen for visibility in reduced-clarity conditions. He also touches on the difference between fishing wide island-studded water like the Susquehanna, where rising flows push bass onto mid-river grass beds, islands and rock ledges rather than tight to the bank, and smaller water where high flows more directly push fish toward bank structure.
Locations & Species
The report centers on the Susquehanna River, where the confluence of the West Branch and the North Branch determines which side of the river runs clean after localized storms, along with the Juniata River and its own Juniata Valley watershed. Target species is smallmouth bass, with Shumaker describing how rising but still fishable flows concentrate fish tighter onto mid-river grass beds, islands and rock ledges rather than spreading them out as they would be in normal lower water. Seasonally, the report is set in late summer heading into Labor Day, with Shumaker noting that, barring an early hard frost, the topwater bite could last into the back half of September.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
How does thunderstorm track affect fishing conditions on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers?
Shumaker explains that because the Susquehanna is fed by a West Branch and a North Branch, storms tracking from the west without moving north will muddy the West Branch and roughly half the river while the North Branch-fed side stays clear. A similar pattern plays out on the Juniata and the two systems meet near Duncannon, so anglers can often find fishable water somewhere even after heavy rain.
Why do smallmouth bass hold in muddy or discolored water during high flows?
Shumaker notes that bass treat discolored water the same way they treat shade or grass cover using it as an ambush point where they can sit unseen and dart out to grab prey that swims by even though the fish cannot see the same distance in dirty water that they could in clear conditions.
When should anglers switch from "bug" fishing to streamers in high water?
According to Shumaker, visibility along the banks typically holds for about one to five feet before the water turns too dirty, so anglers can still fish bug patterns tight to the bank and in the shade. Once they move beyond that clear margin into discolored water, he recommends switching to intermediate lines and streamers since fish cannot see a surface bug's silhouette well in reduced clarity.
How does rising water change where Susquehanna smallmouth position themselves?
Shumaker explains that on a wide river system like the Susquehanna, rising but still fishable flows push smallmouth bass tighter onto mid-river structure such as grass beds, islands and rock ledges.
Why might a late hard frost extend Pennsylvania's smallmouth topwater activity into late September and beyond?
Shumaker says that, without an early hard frost, the region's damsel activity and flying ant hatch, both of which are already good in the July-through-August window, could keep producing solid topwater opportunities into the second half of September rather than tapering off as usual.
Related Content
S8, Ep 59 - Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report: Captain Brian Shumaker's Late Summer Strategies
S8, Ep 56 - Topwater Tactics: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report
S8, Ep 52 - Hot Days and Night Bites: Brian Shumaker's Guide to Pennsylvania Smallmouth Fishing
S8, Ep 43 - Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Report
View all Pennsylvania Smallmouth Reports with Brian Shumaker
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Episode Overview
On this Central PA Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a late summer conditions update. Water levels across the region are running well above the usual late summer norm thanks to a wet summer, keeping trout streams fishable throughout the day even as afternoon action remains the slowest window. Costa reports Tricos are still bringing fish up in the mornings, while evening hatches of caddis, olives and the season's first Isonychias round out the dry fly picture. With water levels up, terrestrials such as beetles, ants and crickets are the top producers, fished on a dry-dropper rig with small nymphs like zebra midges, perdigons and Greenie Weenies below. Streamer fishing has also been productive during low-light morning and evening windows. Costa notes that trout fishing is in unusually good shape for this time of year, avoiding the typical low, hot and stressful late summer conditions. Beyond the trout report, Costa shares that the smallmouth bite has been strong on the high water, particularly around the Juniata River, with anglers finding good topwater action by working the banks. He also previews TCO's transition into fall and winter, including new product arriving, seasonal sales and a full slate of fall and winter classes coming to the shop's website in the coming weeks.
Key Takeaways
How to target Central PA trout during high, late summer flows by fishing dry-dropper rigs with terrestrials on top and small nymphs underneath
When to fish for the best dry fly action, focusing on morning Trico windows and evening caddis and Isonychia hatches
Why streamer fishing is producing right now when fished during low-light morning and evening hours rather than midday
How to find smallmouth bass action on the Juniata River by working the banks with topwater flies during elevated flows

Techniques & Gear Covered
Costa's go-to approach for elevated, late summer flows is a dry-dropper rig, pairing terrestrial patterns like beetles, ants and crickets on top with small nymphs such as zebra midges, perdigons and Greenie Weenies below. Dry fly anglers can also find morning Trico action on Penns Creek and the Little Juniata, along with evening hatches of caddis, olives and early-season Isonychias. For anglers willing to fish low light, streamers are producing a decent bite in the early morning and evening hours. On the smallmouth side, Costa points anglers toward topwater flies worked tight to the bank on the Juniata River, where elevated flows haven't slowed the bite.
Locations & Species
This report centers on Central Pennsylvania's trout waters, including Penns Creek and the Little Juniata, which are running high and cool after a wet summer, keeping fishing viable through the middle of the day despite a typical afternoon lull. Wild and stocked trout remain the primary target, with morning Trico and evening caddis, olive and Isonychia hatches providing consistent dry fly opportunities. Costa also highlights a strong secondary smallmouth bass fishery on the high water of the Juniata River, where anglers working the banks are finding good topwater action despite the elevated flows.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What are current water conditions on Central PA trout streams in late summer?
Water levels are running well above the typical late summer norm thanks to a wet summer, and temperatures have stayed relatively stable without the usual late summer spikes. Costa still recommends checking stream temperatures in the afternoons, but overall conditions have allowed for fishing throughout the day.
When is the best time of day to fish Central PA streams right now?
Mornings and evenings are producing the most consistent action, with Tricos bringing fish up early and caddis, olives and Isonychias showing in the evening. Afternoons remain the slowest window, so Costa recommends sticking to the low light hours.
What flies should anglers use for late summer trout in Central PA?
Costa recommends a dry-dropper rig with terrestrials like beetles, ants and crickets on top, paired with small nymphs such as zebra midges, perdigons and Greenie Weenies underneath. Streamers are also working when fished during low light morning and evening periods.
How is the smallmouth bite on the Juniata River right now?
The smallmouth bite has been great despite elevated flows, with anglers working the banks and finding solid topwater action. Costa expects the bite to keep improving as water levels drop.
Related Content
S8, Ep 58 - Central PA Fishing Report: George Costa's Summer Strategies for Success
S8, Ep 59 - Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report: Captain Brian Shumaker's Late Summer Strategies
S7, Ep 70 - The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George Costa
S8, Ep 61 - Smallmouth Chronicles: Matt Reilly's Secrets to Success in SW Virginia
View all Central Pennsylvania Fishing Reports with George Costa
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Episode Overview
What happens to a Southwest Virginia smallmouth fishery when storm after storm rolls through a watershed for weeks on end? On this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide and writer Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing for a late-summer update on a region caught in a relentless rain pattern, with flash floods dumping 6 to 7 inches of rain in an hour on parts of the watershed while the New River holds up comparatively well thanks to its lake-fed flows. Reilly breaks down how he reads clarity river by river and tributary by tributary rather than trusting a single gauge, and why the New River's roughly 95 percent lake-water makeup gives him options even when stream flow numbers spike. The conversation moves into an unusual bright spot for the fishery: several years of strong smallmouth recruitment have produced an abundance of 0 to 3 year old fish in the 11 to 12 inch range, but a noticeable gap in the 12 to 15 inch numbers class, meaning bigger streamers and bugs are drawing pecks from undersized fish rather than solid hookups on true numbers fish. Reilly and Cash also look ahead to the seasonal transition bearing down on the region, with smallmouth season winding down over the next month to six weeks, musky bookings already filling for November and December and striper season deposits coming in for the spring run. It is a practical, conditions-first snapshot for anglers planning a Southwest Virginia trip around shifting water and a fishery in transition.
Key Takeaways
How to read water clarity on a tributary-by-tributary basis rather than trusting a single regional gauge when a watershed is hit by scattered storms
Why the New River's largely lake-fed flow gives anglers a clarity advantage over tributary-driven systems even when overall stream flow spikes
Why an unusually strong multi-year smallmouth spawn has created a numbers gap, with plenty of small fish but fewer 12 to 15 inch bass than normal
When to expect the seasonal shift from smallmouth to musky in Southwest Virginia
Why booking musky, striper and smallmouth trips well in advance matters as Reilly's calendar fills a year or more out

Techniques & Gear Covered
Reilly's late-summer program currently leans on moving-water tactics suited to diminished clarity and elevated flows, including streamer fishing and aggressive topwater presentations on cloudy, rainy days. He notes that with the current numbers-class gap, fishing bigger streamers and bugs sized for mature smallmouth is producing more short pecks from undersized fish than solid hookups. On the highest-water days, Reilly will fish well past the flow range most anglers consider viable, targeting mid-river slack water and bank structure where fish concentrate once flows push two to three times normal CFS.
Locations & Species
The report centers on the New River in Southwest Virginia, where smallmouth bass are the primary late-summer target and the New's largely lake-fed flow gives the system a clarity edge over tributary-driven waters even during heavy rain events. Conditions have been shaped by a stretch of intense, localized storms moving through the Johnson City to Wytheville corridor, producing everything from blown-out tributary water to sections holding good clarity on the same day. Reilly also flags the upcoming seasonal shift, with musky fishing picking up through the New River system from November into winter and a spring striper run drawing early bookings as smallmouth season winds down.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
How do you find fishable water on the New River during a heavy rain pattern?
Reilly watches radar and tributary-specific conditions rather than treating the watershed as one system, since some tributaries blow out quickly while the main New River can stay comparatively clear. Because roughly 95 percent of the New River's flow originates from lake water upstream, the system tends to hold clarity better than more tributary-fed rivers even when overall stream flow numbers rise sharply.
Why are anglers getting short strikes on big smallmouth flies right now?
Several consecutive years of strong spawning success have filled the river with 0 to 3 year old smallmouth in the 11 to 12 inch range, while the 12 to 15 inch numbers class that anglers normally target with bigger flies is thin this year. The result is a lot of pecks and grabs from fish too small to get the hook, since standard bigger-fly tactics are sized for the missing age class rather than the abundant younger fish.
How high is too high to fish the New River with flies?
Reilly will fish flows well beyond what most anglers consider viable, including stretches at two to three times the typical CFS range for good fishing, though success rates can drop noticeably at those extremes. At very high flows the fish concentrate into mid-river slack water and bank structure, which can still produce opportunities if anglers focus their presentations there.
When does Southwest Virginia transition from smallmouth to musky season?
Reilly expects a fairly abrupt seasonal shift over the next month to six weeks as smallmouth fishing wraps up and musky season ramps into November and December. His musky calendar is already booking well into the winter months, alongside early deposits for the following spring's striper run.
Related Content
S8, Ep 54 - Weathering the Storm: Matt Reilly on Adapting to Summer Fishing Conditions
S8, Ep 46 - Low Water, Big Bugs: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing Update
S8, Ep 59 - Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report: Captain Brian Shumaker's Late Summer Strategies
View all Southwest Virginia Fishing Reports with Matt Reilly
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Episode Overview
How much gear does it actually take to fish effectively for trout in the Southern Appalachians? On this Casting Angles episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash and Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish make the case for stripping gear down to the essentials rather than chasing every new product on the market. The conversation was sparked by both hosts equipping their youngest sons with fly fishing gear, which got them talking about how little an angler really needs to catch fish consistently in the region's freestone trout streams.
Mac and Marvin walk through a minimalist lanyard setup built around a single small fly box, forceps, nippers, split shot, floatant and a tippet spool, paired with a short list of proven trout patterns rather than an overstuffed vest. They cover footwear strategy for backcountry approaches into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, weighing lightweight hiking shoes and packable wading shoes against the weight and bulk of traditional wading boots. The pair also break down how to assemble a budget-conscious rod, reel and line setup without sacrificing performance, and make the case for redirecting money saved on gear toward casting or guided instruction instead. Mac closes with a preview of his fall school schedule and the early October start of the Delayed Harvest season around Bryson City, North Carolina.
Key Takeaways
How a single lanyard with a small fly box, forceps, nippers, split shot, floatant and a tippet spool covers nearly everything needed for a day on Southern Appalachian trout water.
Why a short list of proven patterns like elk hair caddis, parachute Adams, greenie weenies, San Juan worms and soft hackle pheasant tails outperforms an overstuffed fly selection.
When wet wading in lightweight shoes like Keens, Chacos or old sneakers makes more sense than hiking in with traditional wading boots on long backcountry approaches.
How to build a budget-conscious rod, reel and line setup using workhorse reels and affordable entry-level fly lines without sacrificing performance on the water.
Why redirecting money saved on gear toward casting or guided instruction accelerates an angler's progress faster than buying more equipment.

Techniques & Gear Covered
The core technique here is minimalist trout fishing logistics rather than any single on-water tactic, built around carrying a lanyard with a small fly box, forceps, nippers, split shot, gel and powder floatant and a tippet spool instead of a heavily loaded vest or pack. Fly selection stays deliberately narrow, with elk hair caddis, parachute Adams, greenie weenies, San Juan worms, beetles, ants, hare's ear nymphs and soft hackle pheasant tails covering the bulk of Southern Appalachian trout water. Footwear gets specific attention, with Mac and Marvin comparing lightweight hiking shoes like Hokas paired with packable river shoes against traditional wading boots, plus a budget DIY option from Mac's childhood of gluing felt soles onto old Converse sneakers to build a lightweight homemade wading shoe for backcountry hikes. On the rod, reel and line side, Mac and Marvin point to workhorse reels from manufacturers like Lamson and affordable entry-level fly lines in the $70 range as ways to get a capable trout setup without overspending on premium gear.
Locations & Species
The episode centers on wild and stocked trout fishing in western North Carolina, with backcountry streams inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park serving as the primary destination discussed for the minimalist, hike-in approach to gear. Mac and Marvin note that the Park's water calls for small dries, wets and nymphs rather than streamers, with streamer fishing only becoming viable after a thunderstorm pushes water levels up. The conversation also touches on current warm weather wet-wade conditions giving way to fall, with the region's Delayed Harvest season expected to resume the first Saturday in October around Bryson City.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What gear do I actually need to fish effectively for trout in the Southern Appalachians?
A single lanyard carrying a small fly box, forceps, nippers, split shot, gel and powder floatant and a tippet spool covers nearly everything needed for a productive day on the water. Pair that with a short list of proven patterns like elk hair caddis, parachute Adams and soft hackle pheasant tails rather than an overloaded fly selection.
How should I choose footwear for hiking into backcountry trout streams?
Lightweight hiking shoes like Hokas paired with packable river shoes that fold up small are a lighter alternative to traditional wading boots, which take up significant pack space and add several pounds of weight. Budget wet-wade options like Keens, Chacos or even old sneakers also work well.
What's a budget-friendly way to build a trout rod, reel and line setup?
Most major rod manufacturers make a solid, entry level four- or five-weight rod, and companies like Lamson produce affordable, workhorse reels that hold up for years of trout fishing. Entry-level fly lines from brands like Scientific Anglers run around $70 and are a reasonable way to get out the door without overspending on premium gear.
Why should anglers prioritize instruction over buying more gear?
Gear alone is unlikely to be the deciding factor in becoming a better angler, while casting or guided instruction directly improves the skills that produce more fish on the water. Redirecting money that would otherwise go toward another piece of gear into a lesson or class tends to pay off faster than expanding an already adequate kit.
Related Content
S8, Ep 57 - The Power of Habit: Mac Brown's Strategies for Fishing Success
S8, Ep 21 - Casting into Spring: Mac Brown Discusses Wild Trout Fishing and Upcoming Classes
S8, Ep 49 - Mastering the Cast: Mac Brown's Insights on Shooting Line
View All Casting Angles Episodes with Mac Brown
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Episode Overview
On this episode of The Butcher Shop fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash welcomes back Kirk Klingensmith for Part Two of their Science of Streamers conversation, this time digging into the physics behind swim flies and the Game Changer platform. Klingensmith brings an engineer's eye to the vise, breaking down why doubling a fly's length doesn't mean doubling its diameter and why that distinction matters more than most tiers realize.
The conversation opens with the geometry of drag: length scales linearly, but diameter drives drag by the square, so a modest increase in diameter has an outsized effect on a fly's action. From there, Klingensmith and Cash trace how turbulence created at the front of a swim fly, whether from a deer hair lip, a cupped popper head or simply a bulky front-loaded profile, sets up the unstable eddy currents that make the rear of the fly undulate on the retrieve. They cover material choices (marabou, rabbit, craft fur, Flashabou) that add movement, the role of shank engineering and segmentation in producing a serpentine swim, and how stinger hook placement and connection material (wire, gel-spun, mono) change both the fly's action and its hookup rate on short-striking fish. A highlight of the episode is Klingensmith's breakdown of Brian Shumaker's Shimmering Minnow and the "hover and twitch" presentation he uses on pressured smallmouth bass in warm summer water.
Key Takeaways
How to scale a streamer's diameter separately from its length, since drag increases geometrically with diameter while length scales in linear proportion
Why turbulence-inducing elements like a deer hair lip, a cupped popper head or an oversized front profile make a swim fly kick and undulate on the retrieve instead of just sinking straight
When to fish a swim fly on a dead-stop hover rather than a fast retrieve, particularly for pressured smallmouth bass in warm summer water
How to use material mass and segment placement to dial in a tighter or more gradual S-curve swimming action on an articulated fly
Why adding a stinger hook can improve hookups on short-striking predatory fish while also changing how much mass and crash the tail of the fly carries
How fly designers use a "chassis" mindset, treating patterns like the Clouser Minnow or Game Changer as adaptable platforms rather than fixed recipes

Techniques & Gear Covered
Klingensmith explains swim fly action as a function of engineered turbulence: a drag-inducing front end (a lip, a cupped head or simply a bulky profile) creates unstable eddy currents that the rear of the fly follows, producing the swimming motion, while a laminar (streamlined) front would produce no swim at all. He details how progressively smaller shanks toward the tail increase segmentation and produce a more serpentine undulation, and how adding mass to those rear segments dampens the action into a slower, more gradual S-curve. On stinger hook rigging, he walks through connection options (wire, gel-spun, mono) and how hook placement and gauge affect both the fly's swim and its hook-up percentage on fish that nip at the tail rather than eating the head. Named patterns discussed include the Game Changer platform and two of its variants, the Jerk Changer and the Feather Changer, along with the Drunk & Disorderly, Brian Shumaker's Shimmering Minnow, the Clouser Minnow, Bob Popovics' Beast Fleye and Chris Walker's Kreelex-variant, a stinger-hook trout streamer designed for brown trout that key on the tail.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Why don't fly proportions scale linearly when you size up a streamer pattern?
Because drag from a cylindrical or spherical shape increases geometrically with diameter while length only scales linearly. Klingensmith explains that it's reasonable to scale a fly's length proportionally when going from, say, four inches to six inches, but the diameter should only be increased modestly, not scaled by the same ratio, or the fly's action and drag profile will be thrown off.
What makes a swim fly like the Game Changer move with a swimming action instead of just sinking?
The action comes from turbulence engineered into the front of the fly. A lip, a cupped popper head or simply a bulky, non-streamlined front end creates a drag source that generates unstable eddy currents, and the rest of the fly follows those currents on the retrieve. A streamlined, laminar-flow front would not produce this swimming motion.
How does adding a stinger hook affect a swim fly's action and hookup rate?
It depends heavily on how the shank-to-stinger connection is built, whether with wire, gel-spun line or mono, and whether the hook is left free or incorporated into the tail material. Stinger hooks are especially effective on predatory fish that nip at a fly's tail rather than striking the head, and shorter-shank designs like octopus hooks tend to hold hooked fish more securely than long-shank hooks.
What is the "hover and twitch" technique Kirk Klingensmith uses for pressured smallmouth?
Rather than burning the fly back with a fast retrieve, Klingensmith lays the Shimmering Minnow within six inches of structure and lets it twitch and suspend with almost no forward motion, letting subtle microcurrent movement do the work. He believes this near-motionless presentation gives pressured smallmouth, especially in warm water, something they haven't already learned to refuse.
How can fly tiers control the tightness of a swim fly's S-curve swimming action?
By adjusting material mass in the segments behind the head. Lighter segments produce a tighter, more pronounced undulation, while adding more mass and gradually stepping it down through the rear segments dampens the action into a slower, more gradual S-curve.
Sponsors
Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use ARTFLY20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.
Related Content
Listen to The Science of Streamers (Pt I)
BONUS: The Science of Streamers (Pt I): Kirk Klingensmith on Jigging and Wrecking Flies
BONUS: Castability Unleashed: Mark Sedotti's Journey with the Sedotti Slammer
BONUS: Swine Design Secrets: Eli Berant Discusses the Optimus Swine
S6, Ep 144: The Chocklett Factory: Conservation, New Products and a Legacy Remembered
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Helpful Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:51 Scaling Fly Geometry
05:35 How Swim Flies Swim
11:28 Paused Retrieves Matter Most
16:26 Stinger Hooks and Fly...