The Articulate Fly

Episode Overview
In this Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for an end-of-July conditions update. Costa reports Central Pennsylvania's trout streams running a touch above seasonal averages after a recent shot of rain, with solid dry fly and terrestrial action across the region.
Water levels are in good shape for late summer, and while overnight temps have cooled into the 50s, Costa reminds anglers to keep checking midday stream temperatures on the region's bigger waters, where readings can still creep into the high 60s. On the bug front, Tricos are producing strong morning dry fly action on Spring Creek, with the prime window running roughly 8 a.m. to noon. Terrestrials are working well everywhere, with beetles and ants producing across the board and the season's first hoppers now showing up in the more meadowy stream stretches. Fish are readily eating Chubbies and small hoppers, and dry-dropper rigs — a Chubby up top with a nymph dropper underneath — are working well. For anglers looking to move bigger fish, Costa points to streamer fishing in low light, early and late, as water temperatures cool.
Beyond the stream report, Costa previews TCO's Outdoor Fly Fishing Festival at the shop's Boiling Springs location on Children's Lake, coming up August 8th and 9th, and recaps a strong showing at the shop's recent Bass Thumb smallmouth tournament, which saw high, dirty water but plenty of big fish caught.
Key Takeaways
How to time the Trico hatch on Spring Creek for peak morning dry fly action, roughly 8 a.m. to noon.
Why terrestrial patterns like beetles and ants are producing well everywhere right now, with the season's first hoppers now showing up in meadowy stream stretches.
When to switch to streamer fishing for a better shot at moving bigger fish, ideally during low light in the early morning or evening.
Why checking midday water temperatures still matters on bigger Central PA streams even when overall levels and clarity are favorable.
When to plan a visit to TCO's Outdoor Fly Fishing Festival in Boiling Springs, running August 8th and 9th at Children's Lake.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Costa's report centers on a classic late-July technique mix for Central Pennsylvania's trout streams: morning Trico dry fly fishing, terrestrial presentations through the day and streamer fishing during low light. Beetles and ants are producing well across the board, while the season's first hoppers are emerging specifically in meadowy stream stretches. Dry-dropper rigs — running a Chubby as the top fly with a nymph dropper underneath — are producing consistent results. For low-light streamer fishing, Costa notes that slightly cooler water temperatures in the early morning and evening make fish more willing to chase.
Locations & Species
This report covers Central Pennsylvania's trout streams generally, with Spring Creek specifically called out as producing strong morning Trico activity. Wild and stocked trout are the primary target throughout the region. Seasonally, this is a slightly atypical late-July window: stream levels running a little above seasonal averages and on the clear side following recent rain, overnight temperatures in the 50s, and daytime highs in the mid-70s to low 80s making midday water temperatures a point of attention on the region's bigger streams.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What are current stream conditions in Central PA in late July?
Costa reports levels running a little above seasonal averages and on the clear side following a recent rain event. Overnight temperatures have been in the 50s with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low 80s, keeping overall stream temperatures favorable, though bigger streams can still creep into the high 60s by midday.
When is the best time to fish Tricos on Spring Creek?
Costa identifies roughly 8 a.m. to noon as the prime window for Trico dry fly action on Spring Creek, when hatch activity is strongest.
What terrestrial patterns are working best right now in Central PA?
Beetles and ants are producing well everywhere, and the season's first hoppers are starting to show up specifically in meadowy stream stretches. Costa notes fish are readily eating Chubbies and small hoppers, and dry-dropper rigs — a Chubby up top with a nymph dropper underneath — are working well.
When should anglers switch to streamer fishing during summer trout season?
Costa recommends streamer fishing during low light, early morning or evening, when slightly cooler water temperatures tend to make trout more willing to chase a moving fly.
What TCO Fly Shop events are coming up this August?
TCO's Outdoor Fly Fishing Festival takes place August 8th and 9th at the shop's Boiling Springs location on Children's Lake. Costa also recapped a strong turnout at the shop's recent Bass Thumb smallmouth tournament, where high, dirty water didn't stop anglers from catching some larger fish.
Related Content
S8, Ep 51 - Summer Stream Insights: George Costa on Conditions, Patterns and Upcoming Events
S8, Ep 47 - Central PA Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Summer Stream Insights
S8, Ep 42 - Exploring Terrestrials and Summer Patterns: George Costa's Fishing Forecast
S7, Ep 70 - The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George Costa
View all Central Pennsylvania Fishing Reports with George Costa
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Episode Overview
What happens to smallmouth bass fishing in Southwest Virginia when a big summer rain event hits after weeks of low, clear water? 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 real-time look at a region caught mid-storm, with rain hammering areas south of Radford and across northeast Tennessee while the New River itself stays comparatively unaffected. Matt breaks down why the coming days of rising, cooling, discolored water will actually put feeding smallmouth on more aggressive behavior than the low, clear conditions anglers had been dealing with, and why a passive, finesse-driven bug approach that worked so well in low water gives way to power fishing with bigger, darker profiles once the water comes up. He walks through the underlying logic: cooler water lowers a smallmouth's metabolic cost of chasing prey, rising flows create a predatory veil that lets fish hunt more boldly, and the same early-morning-versus-midday light and temperature gradient that governs a single summer day also governs the multi-day arc after a storm. Matt also answers a listener question about what conditions put smallmouth in a genuine feeding mood during the dog days of summer. The conversation closes with a look ahead to the fall calendar, as Matt discusses booking musky trips for the final weeks of the season and striped bass dates for next year, and points listeners to his monthly newsletter as the fastest way to hear about last-minute cancellations and openings.
Key Takeaways
How to read a rising, cooling and discoloring river as an opportunity rather than a setback for smallmouth fishing.
Why finesse bug presentations dominate in low, clear, hot water while power fishing with streamers takes over once flows rise and temperatures drop.
When to target slack water, eddies and bank cover with large, dark profiles during high, dirty water conditions.
Why the same light-and-temperature gradient that drives fish activity within a single summer day also plays out across the days following a storm.
How to stay ahead of last-minute musky and striper trip openings by subscribing directly to a guide's newsletter.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Matt contrasts two core approaches for Southwest Virginia smallmouth: a passive, finesse-oriented topwater bug presentation suited to low, clear, high-pressure summer conditions, and a power-fishing approach built around larger profiles, darker colors, and faster retrieves once rain raises water levels and drops temperatures. He emphasizes targeting protected water, including slack water holes, eddies, and bank cover, when rivers run high and stained, since these areas concentrate fish that are less willing to fight heavy current. The conversation also touches on the same early-morning topwater and baitfish-imitating streamer window that opens before direct sun and rising temperatures push fish back into a more conservative feeding pattern later in the day.
Locations & Species
This report centers on the rivers of Southwest Virginia, including the New River and the broader drainages around Radford, Narrows and Pearisburg, with Matt tracking an active storm system moving through the region alongside spillover effects from flooding further north in West Virginia. Smallmouth bass are the primary target discussed, with the conversation focused on how a shift from low, clear, hot conditions to high, cool, discolored flows changes both fish behavior and angler strategy heading into the heart of summer. Matt also flags the approaching transition into fall, when Southwest Virginia's musky season picks up, along with striped bass dates he's already booking for the following year.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Why does rising, cooler, dirtier water often improve smallmouth fishing instead of hurting it?
Cooler water lowers the energy cost of chasing prey, so smallmouth can afford to move around and feed more aggressively than they do in low, clear, hot conditions. Rising, stained water also gives fish a kind of predatory veil that lets them hunt more boldly instead of feeding cautiously to avoid predators themselves.
How should anglers adjust their approach right after a big rain event hits a smallmouth river?
Matt's first move is to get below the freshest, most turbid water or find a stretch of river the storm has not fully reached yet. In the days that follow, the priority shifts to identifying the most promising combination of temperature, clarity and flow, since conditions can vary drastically from one stretch of river to the next after a storm.
When should anglers use finesse bug fishing versus power fishing with streamers for smallmouth?
Finesse bug presentations work best in low, clear, hot water, where fish feed conservatively and a subtle approach out-produces aggressive retrieves. Once water levels rise and temperatures drop, anglers should shift to fishing bigger, faster, and with darker colors in protected water like eddies and bank cover, since fish become willing to chase and expend more energy.
What conditions put Southwest Virginia smallmouth into an active summer feeding mood?
Beyond the day-to-day storm cycle, the same gradient shows up within a single day: lower light and cooler water temperatures in the early morning trigger windows of aggressive topwater and streamer activity, which then wanes as the sun climbs and the water warms through midday.
When does musky season start in Southwest Virginia, and how can anglers get last-minute trip openings?
Matt's musky season picks up on the tail end of smallmouth season, with October representing some of the last open dates before the fall push. Because cancellations and last-minute openings move fast, Matt recommends subscribing directly to his newsletter at mattreillyflyfishing.com, since that is where schedule changes get posted first.
Related Content
S8, Ep 46 - Low Water, Big Bugs: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing Update
S7, Ep 19 - Weathering the Winds: March Fishing Insights and Pre-Spawn Strategies with Matt Reilly
S6, Ep 112 - Smallmouth Transitions and Musky Prep: Matt Reilly's Southwest VA Update
S8, Ep 52 - Hot Days and Night Bites: Brian Shumaker's Guide to Pennsylvania Smallmouth Fishing
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Episode Overview
With freestone trout streams across the Southeast pushing into the upper 60s and low 70s by mid-morning, serious anglers need a plan for beating the summer heat. On this Casting Angles installment of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash and Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish and Fly Fishing Guide School in Bryson City, North Carolina, break down how to keep catching trout — or productively wait it out — when peak summer temperatures push freestone fishing to its limits.
Mac and Marvin agree that the dog days of summer call for a shift in strategy rather than a day off the water. The conversation centers on East Tennessee's Watauga and South Holston tailwaters along with Western North Carolina's Nantahala, all three of which hold cold water for much of the day, plus the Clinch River below Norris Dam and the deep, cold Fontana Dam tailwater. By contrast, the Tuckasegee ("the Tuck") is a tailwater that doesn't run nearly as cold as the others, since its dam doesn't create enough head to keep the release chilled. The pair walk through the early-morning window — roughly daylight to 9:30 or 10 a.m. — as the best bet for active trout before heat shuts things down, and they recommend checking USGS gauges and the TroutRoutes app to confirm flows and water temperatures before heading out. When conditions simply aren't fishable, Mac and Marvin suggest reinvesting that time in casting practice or fly tying rather than forcing a trip. The episode closes with a teaser for Mac's upcoming fall casting schools, with full details and dates available at macbrownflyfish.com.
Key Takeaways
How to identify which regional tailwaters — the Watauga, South Holston, Clinch and Fontana releases — hold consistently cold, fishable water when freestone streams push past 69–70°F by mid-morning.
Why fish in bigger bodies of water retreat to deeper, cooler holds as afternoon temperatures climb, making them much harder to reach with a fly.
When to fish the early-morning window, roughly daylight to 9:30 or 10 a.m., for the best shot at active trout before the summer heat shuts down the bite.
How to use USGS gauges and the TroutRoutes app to check release schedules and water temperatures before committing to a trip.
Why elevation alone doesn't guarantee cold water, since even streams near 6,700–6,800 feet can push toward 70°F by mid-morning in peak summer heat.
When to redirect fishing time toward casting practice or fly tying rather than forcing a trip into conditions that are too warm to fish well.

Techniques & Gear Covered
The core strategy discussed is prioritizing tailwaters over freestones during peak summer heat, since dam-regulated flows on rivers like the Watauga and South Holston hold consistently cold water while freestone streams climb toward 70°F by mid-morning regardless of elevation. Mac and Marvin recommend checking USGS stream gauges alongside the TroutRoutes app, a podcast sponsor (Use ARTFLY20 for 20% off), to review flow schedules and available water-temperature data before planning a trip. They also frame the early-morning window, from daylight until roughly 9:30 or 10 a.m., as the most productive stretch before warming water pushes safe fishing out of range. For anglers boxed in by travel or work schedules that don't line up with cooler weather, the hosts suggest using the downtime productively — working on casting fundamentals on a soccer field or similar open space, or tying flies indoors until conditions improve.
Locations & Species
The conversation centers on East Tennessee's two primary trout tailwaters, the Watauga and South Holston, along with the Nantahala in Western North Carolina — all three of which stay cold thanks to dam releases even as regional air temperatures spike. Mac also points to the Clinch River below Norris Dam in Tennessee — including a weir section that was fishing well as of a recent report — and to Fontana Dam's tailwater, where depth of nearly 470 feet keeps discharge in the low 50s even at the height of summer. By contrast, the Tuckasegee ("the Tuck") is a tailwater in Mac's home area that doesn't run nearly as cold, since its dam doesn't create enough head to chill the release the way the others do. Across all of these waters the target species is trout, with the guidance shaped entirely around peak summer heat: freestone streams in the region are pushing toward 69–70°F by 10 a.m. even at elevations of 6,700–6,800 feet, making the cold, stable tailwaters the more reliable option through the hottest stretch of the season.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Why is trout fishing difficult during peak summer heat?
As water temperatures climb through the day, trout in bigger bodies of water move deeper to find cooler conditions, which makes them much harder to reach with a fly. Even high-elevation freestone streams in the region can push toward 69–70°F by mid-morning, which is enough to shut down activity. Trout mortality rises significantly as water temperatures rise into the upper 60s making catch and release angling unethical. The trout will usually die post release.
What time of day should anglers target trout streams during hot summer weather?
The best window is early morning, roughly from daylight until 9:30 or 10 a.m., before water temperatures climb into the range that suppresses feeding activity and endangers trout post release. After that window closes, Mac and Marvin suggest shifting plans rather than fishing through the heat of the day.
How can anglers check water conditions before a summer fishing trip?
Marvin recommends checking release schedules and water temperatures using USGS stream gauges, along with the TroutRoutes app, which provides flow data and, on streams equipped with temperature gauges, water-temperature readings as well.
Which tailwaters stay fishable through peak summer heat in this region?
East Tennessee's Watauga and South Holston rivers hold cold water for much of the day. The Clinch River below Norris Dam and the Fontana Dam tailwater in Western North Carolina, which runs in the low 50s even in summer due to the dam's nearly 470-foot depth, are two other reliable cold-water options mentioned in the episode.
What should anglers do when conditions are too hot to fish safely and effectively?
Rather than forcing a trip into unproductive and unsafe heat, Mac and Marvin suggest using that time to work on casting fundamentals or to tie flies indoors, and to wait for a seasonal cool-down, which typically arrives as August progresses.
Related Content
S8, Ep 50 - Navigating Summer Waters: Ellis Ward on Trout, Musky and the Art of the Evening Bite
S8, Ep 49 - Mastering the Cast: Mac Brown's Insights on Shooting Line
S8, Ep 45 - Casting Fundamentals: Mac Brown on the Art of the Reach Mend
S8, Ep 41 - Offbeat Seasons and Terrestrial Tactics: Mac Brown's Fishing Strategies
S8, Ep 48 - Summer Heat Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Tips
View All Casting Angles Episodes with Mac Brown
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Episode Overview
In this episode of The Butcher Shop, host Marvin Cash sits down with Mark Sedotti, inventor of the Sedotti Slammer and one of the pioneers of weight-balanced streamer design, to trace nearly 35 years of big-fly development for striped bass and bluefish. Sedotti explains why a lead keel and the right amount of absorbed water can make an oversized streamer cast further and more accurately than a small one, overturning decades of conventional wisdom that heavy flies are harder to throw.
Working from western Long Island Sound, where he first tied the Slammer to imitate adult menhaden up to 15 inches long, Sedotti walks through the evolution of his high-and-low bucktail tying method, the construction of a rectangular lead keel to stop wide-profile flies from rolling, and the concept of weight balancing that ties it all together. He also details how the Slammer found its way to Michigan's Manistee River in the early 1990s, where guide Russ Maddin nicknamed it the Screaming Jesus and helped ignite the modern big-streamer trout movement.
The conversation covers rod and line selection for casting giant flies, including Sedotti's signature Sayonara sling casting technique, along with retrieve mechanics, leader setups, and where to source materials and commercially tied Slammers. Anglers chasing striped bass, bluefish or trophy trout with oversized streamers will come away with a working framework for why some big flies cast beautifully and others simply won't turn over.
Key Takeaways
How to weight balance a streamer so it casts smoothly regardless of its size, rather than dragging through the air
Why adding water-absorbing materials like bucktail can improve a big fly's castability instead of hurting it
How to build a rectangular lead keel from lead wire to stop a wide-profile fly from rolling in the water
When to size a streamer to match adult versus immature baitfish, since selective stripers and bluefish may refuse flies shorter than the natural forage
How the Sayonara sling casting technique adds effective rod length and line speed for longer distance with a single-handed rod
Why a long leader of eight to nine feet improves fly action and strike rates when streamer fishing for trout

Techniques & Gear Covered
Sedotti's core concept is weight balancing: adding just enough weight to a streamer to counteract wind resistance and drag during the cast, which he discovered by building a rectangular lead keel out of 0.030-0.035 lead wire to prevent wide-profile flies from rolling. His high-and-low bucktail tying method, refined with input from Bob Popovics on achieving a three-dimensional bunker profile, remains consistent across pattern sizes from three and a half to over 20 inches, with synthetic yak hair, bucktail and feather substitutes used as natural saddle hackle and schlappen became harder to source. For casting, he favors a fast-action 11-weight rod paired with either integrated sinking lines, shooting heads or a floating line for shallow presentations, and retrieves with long, fast strips followed by a pause where most strikes occur.
Locations & Species
Sedotti developed the Slammer in western Long Island Sound around Greenwich, Port Chester, and Rye, New York, targeting striped bass and bluefish keyed in on schools of menhaden, or bunker, ranging from three and a half to over 15 inches depending on the season. He later carried medium-sized versions of the fly to Michigan's Manistee River, where it proved effective on trout and helped spark the region's big-streamer trout culture, as well as to Montana's Beaverhead River for trout. Today, he fishes deep structure at Montauk and Southwest Ledge on Block Island for large striped bass, working the fly 35 to 45 feet down on sinking lines.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What is weight balancing in streamer fly design, and why does it matter for castability?
Weight balancing means adding enough weight to a fly to counteract the wind resistance created by its materials as it moves through the air during a cast. Mark Sedotti found that a properly weight-balanced fly, regardless of size, will false cast smoothly with a normal loop, while an unbalanced fly either drags or develops an uncontrollable loop.
How do you build a keel to stop a wide-profile streamer from rolling?
Sedotti wraps half-inch strips of lead wire in layers of five, stacking three levels to form a rectangular, raft-like keel along the underside of the hook shank. The exact method matters less than achieving the correct total weight for that specific fly to keep it weight balanced.
Why can waterlogged flies actually cast better than dry ones?
A dry fly with the same amount of bulky material is more wind resistant and harder to turn over, while a wet fly collapses and cuts through the air more easily. Sedotti found that the added weight from absorbed water often helps counteract that wind resistance, provided the fly isn't carrying so much water and weight that it becomes overloaded.
What rod and line setup works best for casting large weight-balanced streamers?
Sedotti prefers a fast-action 11-weight rod for big saltwater patterns, paired with either an integrated sinking line, a shooting head or a floating line depending on depth and structure. His Sayonara sling casting technique adds effective rod length and increases tip speed for longer casts with a single-handed rod.
How did the Sedotti Slammer influence Michigan's big-streamer trout fishing?
In the early 1990s, Sedotti brought a medium-sized Slammer to Michigan's Manistee River, where guide Russ Maddin was stunned by how aggressively trout attacked it and nicknamed it the Screaming Jesus. That introduction is widely credited with helping launch the modern big-streamer trout movement centered around Michigan's guiding community.
Sponsors
Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use ARTFLY20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.
Related Content
BONUS: Tying the Circus Peanut: Streamer Secrets and Fishing Strategies with Russ Maddin
BONUS: Mastering the Beast: A Deep Dive into Bob Popovics' Legendary Fly with Captain Ben Whalley
BONUS: A Deep Dive into the Swingin' D: Techniques and Tips with Mike Schultz
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Helpful Episode Chapters
0:00:00 Introduction
0:02:33 Designing the Original Slammer
0:06:43 Unlocking Castability
0:15:33 Perfecting the Profile
0:19:17 Synthetic Evolution
0:32:53 Michigan Streamer Breakthrough
0:47:15 Casting Big Flies Well
0:53:42 Lines and Leaders
0:56:35 Fishing the Retrieve
1:06:26 Final Thoughts on Weight Balance

Episode Overview
In this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for a midsummer conditions update on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania. Recorded following a stretch of triple-digit heat punctuated by heavy rain, the report finds Shumaker firmly in prime topwater season, with blue damselflies coming off heavy from late morning into the evenings and the white fly hatch on deck for the end of July into early August.
Shumaker walks through his day-to-day approach on the water: starting clients with a popping bug and a streamer or crayfish pattern first thing in the morning, then committing fully to topwater by mid-morning. On color selection, he leans on Carolina blue Boogle Bugs and smaller blockhead poppers, with yellow still producing thanks to lingering sulphurs, and blue, white, yellow and green all working depending on the day. For the white fly window, he skips realistic dries in favor of a Clouser's Floating Minnow or a small white popper twitched across the surface after dark.
The conversation also covers river conditions following recent heavy rain — both the Susquehanna and Juniata are dropping from a solid slug of water but haven't bottomed out, with more rain possibly on the way. Shumaker shares his theory on why big smallmouth become nocturnal feeders once water temperatures push into the high 80s, and closes with fall booking availability for late September into early October.
Key Takeaways
How to structure a summer smallmouth day on the Susquehanna and Juniata by starting with a popper-and-streamer combo and shifting fully to topwater by mid-morning.
Why blue, white, yellow and green popper colors are all producing right now, tied to peak blue damselfly activity and the tail end of the sulphur hatch.
When to expect the white fly hatch to begin on the Susquehanna system, and how to switch presentations from realistic dries to a Clouser's Floating Minnow or a small twitched popper after dark.
Why big smallmouth bass shift to nocturnal feeding once water temperatures climb into the high 80s, and how that changes where and when to target trophy fish.
How to read post-rain conditions on the Susquehanna and Juniata, since both rivers were dropping from a recent high-water event without bottoming out.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Shumaker's summer topwater program centers on popping bug fishing, with a Carolina blue Boogle Bug and smaller blockhead poppers as the go-to producers, plus a yellow Boogle Bug that still draws strikes off the lingering sulphur hatch. Early in the day he'll pair a popper with a streamer or crayfish pattern on a second rod to gauge activity before committing to topwater for the rest of the day. For the incoming white fly hatch, he moves away from imitative dry patterns like a size 12 white Wulff in favor of a Clouser's Floating Minnow tied with a white head and white bucktail, or a smaller white popper twitched across the surface after dark. He also discusses fishing after dark generally as a heat-avoidance and big-fish strategy once water temperatures push into the high 80s and large smallmouth shift to feeding on baitfish and small critters swimming across the river after sunset.
Locations & Species
The report covers the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania, both of which received a significant rain event that pushed flows up before beginning to recede; the Juniata remains somewhat stained while the Susquehanna is dropping into more fishable shape, with additional rain possible by the weekend. Smallmouth bass are the primary target, with the fishery currently in full topwater mode driven by heavy blue damselfly activity and the approach of the white fly hatch. Shumaker also notes water temperatures reaching the high 80s, which pushes larger, trophy-class smallmouth into nocturnal feeding patterns on baitfish and small terrestrial prey.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What is the best popper color for summer smallmouth on the Susquehanna and Juniata?
Blue is the top producer right now, particularly a Carolina blue Boogle Bug or smaller blockhead poppers, matching the heavy blue damselfly activity. Yellow poppers are also working off the tail end of the sulphur hatch, and white and green will draw strikes as well.
When does the white fly hatch start on the Susquehanna river system?
Shumaker expects the white fly hatch to begin rolling in at the end of July into the beginning of August. It comes off heavy and after dark, which changes both fly selection and the timing of a day on the water.
Why do big smallmouth bass become nocturnal feeders in the summer?
Shumaker's theory is that once water temperatures climb into the high 80s, larger fish shift to feeding after dark, whether to beat the heat or take advantage of baitfish and small critters swimming across the river at night. Fishing after dark is one way anglers can target trophy fish while also avoiding the worst of the daytime heat.
How are the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers fishing after recent heavy rain?
Both rivers received a solid slug of water and are dropping, with the Juniata still somewhat stained. Conditions aren't expected to bottom out before additional rain arrives, which should help keep flows consistent heading into the following week.
When is the best time to book a fall smallmouth trip with Brian Shumaker?
Shumaker highlights the last half of September through the first two weeks of October as a sweet spot, offering cooler conditions than peak summer while still fishing well for Susquehanna and Juniata smallmouth.
Related Content
S8, Ep 48 - Summer Heat Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Tips
S8, Ep 43 - Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Report
S8, Ep 39 - High Water Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Insights
S8, Ep 34 - Frog Patterns and Fishing Strategies: Brian Shumaker's Late Spring Smallmouth Report
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