Skip to content
PodcastsEducationThe Articulate Fly

The Articulate Fly

The Articulate Fly
The Articulate Fly
Latest episode

1088 episodes

  • The Articulate Fly

    S8, Ep 59: Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report: Captain Brian Shumaker's Late Summer Strategies

    12/08/2026 | 7 mins.
    Episode Overview
    On this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for a mid-August conditions update on the Susquehanna River system in Central Pennsylvania. After a heavy rain event pushed the river up, Shumaker reports flows are now falling and clarity is returning, with roughly two feet of visibility on the edges and more color still out in the main current. That in-between water dictates a two-tier approach: anglers can still pound the banks with poppers where visibility holds, but need to switch to bigger, darker streamers with more flash as they move off the bank into stained water. Shumaker breaks down how he is fishing Half and Half and Clouser Minnow patterns in size two and one, in chartreuse-yellow with gold flash, black-and-olive and olive-and-orange combinations, all still fished on an intermediate line. He also covers how the return of some color has let him tighten up casting distances compared to the ultra-clear, low-water conditions from before the rain, when 40-foot+ casts were often required to avoid spooking fish. Looking ahead, Shumaker outlines open guide dates in late September and October before he heads to Texas for redfish in November.
    Key Takeaways
    How falling, stained water after heavy rain changes streamer color and profile choices for Susquehanna smallmouth
    Why topwater poppers still produce along the bank edges even when the main current carries reduced visibility
    When to size up to bigger, darker streamers with added flash as anglers move off the bank into off-color water
    How stained, elevated water allows for shorter, more comfortable casts compared to low, clear pre-rain conditions
    When to book a fall smallmouth trip with Susquehanna River Guides as the guide calendar opens up in September and October

    Techniques & Gear Covered
    Shumaker splits his approach along a visibility gradient: poppers worked tight to the bank where a foot and a half or so of clarity remains, and streamers as anglers move out into the murkier main current. His streamer program centers on Half and Half and Clouser Minnow patterns in size two and one, favoring darker, flashier color combinations in stained water, including chartreuse-yellow with gold flash, black-and-olive and olive-and-orange. All of these are fished on an intermediate line rather than a heavier sinking option, even as fly size and color shift with conditions. On the presentation side, he notes that reduced water clarity has shortened the casting distance needed to reach productive water, a contrast to the 40-foot+ casts required during the low, gin-clear conditions before the rain.
    Locations & Species
    This report covers the Susquehanna River system in Central Pennsylvania, where Captain Brian Shumaker guides for smallmouth bass out of Susquehanna River Guides. Conditions are transitional: the river is dropping and clearing after a heavy rain event, moving from a bony, low-water late-summer pattern toward a fresh bump with a couple of feet of edge visibility.
    FAQ / Key Questions Answered
    How does falling, stained water after heavy rain change smallmouth fly selection on the Susquehanna?
    Brian Shumaker sizes up to bigger, darker streamers with more flash as visibility drops moving off the bank, favoring Half and Half and Clouser Minnow patterns in size two and one. Color choices lean toward chartreuse and chartreuse-yellow with gold flash, or black-and-olive and olive-and-orange combinations that show up well in off-color water.
    When should anglers fish topwater poppers versus switch to streamers in low-visibility conditions?
    Poppers still work tight along the bank, where roughly a foot and a half of visibility typically remains even in stained water. As anglers move out five feet or more from the bank and lose that visibility, Shumaker shifts to streamers, then moves back to a full topwater program once the river fully clears.
    How does water clarity affect casting distance for Susquehanna smallmouth?
    During the low, gin-clear conditions before the recent rain, Shumaker often needed anglers to make consistent 40-foot+ casts to reach fish without spooking them. With some color back in the water, he can now position anglers closer to productive water, making the cast easier without sacrificing effectiveness.
    What fly line does Brian Shumaker use for streamer fishing in these conditions?
    Shumaker fishes his streamer program on an intermediate line rather than a more aggressive sinking option, keeping the same line even as he adjusts fly size and color for changing water clarity.
    When is Brian Shumaker's guide calendar open for fall smallmouth trips?
    Shumaker has open dates in late September and more availability through October before heading to Texas in November to chase redfish. Anglers can reach him by phone or text or through the Susquehanna River Guides website to book a fall trip.
    Allen Rupp's East Tennessee Tying Classes
    On August 21st and 22nd, Allen is teaching three schools at Tailwaters Fly Company in Bluff City, Tennessee.
    Friday, August 21, 5:30-7:30 PM: Dave's NearNuff Sculpin School
    Saturday, August 22, 9:00-11:00 AM: Dave's NearNuff Crayfish School
    Saturday, August 22, 3:00-5:00 PM: Whitlock's Bass Bug School
    Don't forget to use ARTICULATEFLY at check out!
    Related Content
    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 44 - The Legacy of Classic Flies: Allen Rupp's Insights on Timeless Patterns
    S8, Ep 43 - Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Report
    Connect with Our Guest
    Follow Brian on Facebook and Instagram.
    Follow the Show
    Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
    Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.
    Support the Show
    Shop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.
    Join our Patreon community to support the show.
    If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.
    Subscribe & Advertise
    Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.
    Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.
  • The Articulate Fly

    S8, Ep 58: Central PA Fishing Report: George Costa's Summer Strategies for Success

    07/08/2026 | 4 mins.
    Episode Overview
    George Costa of TCO Fly Shop returns to The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for another Central PA Fishing Report with host Marvin Cash, checking in on mid-summer conditions across the region's limestone streams. It's a mixed picture: recent weekend rain has pushed the Little Juniata River high and essentially unfishable for the next few days, while Spring Creek, Fishing Creek and Penns Creek remain in solid seasonal shape with manageable flows.
    Costa reports classic mid-summer fishing, with mornings through late-morning and evenings producing the most consistent action. Tricos are showing sporadically, especially on Spring Creek, alongside a scattering of blue-winged olives and small quills. The terrestrial bite is picking up, with ants and beetles drawing steady interest from trout. Costa's go-to approach right now is a dry-dropper rig: a size 12 or 14 Chubby Chernobyl or beetle pattern up top with a small ant or Greenie Weenie dropped underneath, a setup that pulls fish on both the dry and the nymph.
    Beyond the stream report, Costa previews TCO's free Fly Fishing and Outdoor Festival this weekend at the Boiling Springs shop on Children's Lake, plus ongoing summer sale pricing as the shop transitions its inventory toward fall. He also flags a strong smallmouth bass bite on Pennsylvania's bigger rivers, including good topwater action despite elevated flows on the West Branch and the Juniata.
    Key Takeaways
    How to fish Central PA limestone streams during mid-summer high-water conditions by targeting Spring Creek, Fishing Creek and Penns Creek while avoiding a blown-out Little Juniata
    When to be on the water for the best mid-summer dry fly action, focusing on first light through 10 or 11 a.m. and again in the evening
    Why a dry-dropper rig combining a size 12 or 14 Chubby Chernobyl or beetle with a small ant or Greenie Weenie dropper is an effective search strategy right now
    How to identify a viable mid-summer smallmouth bass alternative on Pennsylvania's larger rivers when trout water runs high
    When to expect terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles to outperform sparse trico and olive hatches on Central PA streams

    Techniques & Gear Covered
    Costa's core mid-summer strategy centers on a dry-dropper rig built around a size 12 or 14 Chubby Chernobyl or large beetle pattern as the top fly, with a small ant or Greenie Weenie dropped off the back to cover both surface and subsurface feeders. He notes that most of the action is currently coming on the dropper rather than the top fly, though occasional risers will still take the dry. On the hatch front, sporadic tricos, a handful of blue-winged olives and small quills round out the surface options, while the terrestrial bite on ants and beetles continues to build as summer progresses. For the smallmouth side of the report, Costa points anglers toward topwater presentations on Pennsylvania's bigger rivers as an alternative when trout streams are running high.
    Locations & Species
    This report centers on Central Pennsylvania's limestone spring creeks, with Spring Creek, Fishing Creek and Penns Creek all holding good seasonal flows and cool enough temperatures to fish through the heart of summer, while the Little Juniata River is running high and unfishable following recent weekend rain. Wild trout are the primary target across these limestone waters, with dry-dropper presentations and terrestrial patterns proving most effective during the current mid-summer conditions. Costa also highlights a secondary smallmouth bass opportunity on Pennsylvania's larger river systems, including the West Branch and the Juniata, where elevated flows haven't stopped a strong topwater bite from producing quality fish.
    FAQ / Key Questions Answered
    What is the best time of day to fish Central PA limestone streams in mid-summer?
    Costa recommends targeting first light through roughly 10 or 11 a.m., along with the evening hours, as these windows have consistently produced the best action during the current mid-summer stretch. Midday fishing tends to slow considerably once temperatures peak.
    Why is the Little Juniata River currently unfishable?
    Recent weekend rain blew out the Little Juniata and pushed flows high enough that Costa considers it essentially unfishable for at least the next couple of days, especially if additional rain arrives. Spring Creek, Fishing Creek and Penns Creek were not affected to the same degree and remain fishable.
    What rig works best for Central PA trout right now?
    Costa's go-to setup is a dry-dropper rig: a size 12 or 14 Chubby Chernobyl or large beetle pattern on top, with a small ant or Greenie Weenie dropped off the back. Most fish are currently coming on the dropper, though occasional risers will still eat the dry fly.
    Is smallmouth bass fishing a good option when trout streams are high?
    Yes. Costa reports that despite elevated flows on the West Branch and the Juniata, the smallmouth bite has been great, with a particularly strong topwater bite producing quality fish on Pennsylvania's larger rivers.
    What is happening at TCO Fly Shop this week?
    TCO is hosting its free Fly Fishing and Outdoor Festival this weekend at the Boiling Springs shop on Children's Lake, open to the public with no admission charge. The shop is also running summer sale pricing as it clears out inventory ahead of fall, with winter class schedules to be posted on the TCO website in the coming weeks.
    Related Content
    S8, Ep 55 - Summer Secrets: George Costa's Central PA Fishing Report
    S8, Ep 56 - Topwater Tactics: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report
    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
    View all Central Pennsylvania Fishing Reports with George Costa
    Connect with Our Guest
    Follow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
    Follow the Show
    Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
    Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.
    Support the Show
    Shop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.
    Join our Patreon community to support the show.
    If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.
    Subscribe & Advertise
    Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.
    Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.
  • The Articulate Fly

    S8, Ep 57: The Power of Habit: Mac Brown's Strategies for Fishing Success

    06/08/2026 | 9 mins.
    Episode Overview
    How can anglers turn a slow, hot summer on the water into long-term improvement? 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 make the case for using the dog days of summer to build better habits rather than force uncomfortable and unproductive trips.
    With trout fishing tough across the region during the summer heat and low water, and even bass and panfish uncomfortable in the worst of the heat, Mac and Marvin steer anglers toward a different kind of productivity: process and habit. The conversation ranges from tying knots until they become an automatic three-to-four-second motion, to practicing casting distance so a 25-foot caster can reach the 50 feet needed for winter tailwater fishing, to organizing gear so nippers, tippet and other tools live in the same spot every time. Mac shares how decades of guiding and teaching shaped his own systems, including switching to magnetic zingers to keep tippet spools accessible. The pair frame these small, repeatable habits as the foundation that frees up mental bandwidth for the decisions that actually matter on the water, like reading what fish are eating and where they are holding. The episode closes with a look ahead to Mac's fall Fly Casting Mastery Workshop and fall fly fishing guide schools, which kick off in September and October.
    Key Takeaways
    Why establishing consistent habits and processes frees up mental bandwidth to focus on what matters on the water, like reading insect activity and locating fish.
    How to practice tying knots until they become a fast, automatic three-to-four-second motion instead of something to relearn under pressure on the water.
    When to use slow, hot summer conditions as an opportunity to drill casting distance and other fundamentals.
    Why keeping gear like nippers and tippet spools in the same consistent spot on a vest, sling pack or lanyard builds muscle memory that pays off even when fishing at night.
    How to use magnetic zingers to keep tippet spools quickly accessible.
    When to work on extending casting distance, such as building from a 25-foot cast toward the 50 feet needed for winter tailwater fishing.

    Techniques & Gear Covered
    The conversation centers on deliberate practice rather than any single on-water technique, covering knot tying (including the double Davy knot) as a foundational skill worth drilling until it takes just three to four seconds, and casting distance practice aimed at closing the gap between a caster's current range and the roughly 50 feet often needed. Mac and Marvin also dig into gear organization, discussing the shift from traditional tippet spool holders to magnetic zingers for faster access, and the value of always mounting nippers, tippet and other tools in the same position on a vest, sling pack or minimalist lanyard setup. For anglers looking to sharpen their own knot-tying habits, see It's Better to Be Knotty Than Nice for a breakdown of core fly line to leader, leader to tippet and tippet to fly knots.
    FAQ / Key Questions Answered
    Why is practicing process and habit important during slow summer fishing?
    Slow, hot summer conditions create an opportunity to work on habits like knots, casting and gear organization without the pressure of active fishing. Mac and Marvin argue that the more of these small tasks an angler can make automatic, the more mental space they have on the water to focus on what really matters, like reading conditions and finding fish.
    How should anglers practice tying knots to make them second nature?
    Mac recommends treating knot tying as a simple three-to-four-second process that should not require conscious thought, especially in challenging conditions like cold fingers or low light. Practicing during comfortable, low-pressure moments builds the muscle memory needed to tie knots quickly and correctly when it counts.
    What is a simple way to organize tippet for quicker access on the water?
    Mac switched from traditional tippet spool holders, where a needed size can slide underneath a keeper and get buried, to magnetic zingers that let him pull a spool, use it and put it right back. He notes it took years to streamline this habit, but it eliminated the hassle of digging around for tippet mid-day.
    Why does consistent gear placement matter for anglers?
    Mac keeps his nippers and other tools in the exact same spot on his gear every time, whether on a vest or a lanyard, so he can find them without thinking, including in low-light or night fishing situations. Marvin adds that this kind of consistency turns fumbling for gear into a non-issue, leaving more attention for actual fishing decisions.
    When should anglers work on extending their casting distance?
    Mac suggests using slow fishing days to build toward specific goals, such as growing from a 25-foot cast to the roughly 50 feet often needed for effective fishing presentations. Practicing in non-angling situations, rather than under fishing pressure on the water, makes it easier to develop that extra distance before it is actually needed.
    Related Content
    S8, Ep 53 - Cool Waters and Hot Days: Mac Brown's Guide to Summer Fishing
    S8, Ep 49 - Mastering the Cast: Mac Brown's Insights on Shooting Line
    S7, Ep 20 - Practice Makes Perfect: Mac Brown on Mastering Casting Techniques
    It's Better to Be Knotty Than Nice
    View All Casting Angles Episodes with Mac Brown
    Connect with Our Guest
    Follow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
    Follow the Show
    Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
    Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.
    Support the Show
    Shop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.
    Join our Patreon community to support the show.
    If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.
    Subscribe & Advertise
    Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.
    Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.
  • The Articulate Fly

    BONUS: The Science of Streamers (Pt I): Kirk Klingensmith on Jigging and Wrecking Flies

    01/08/2026 | 1h 1 mins.
    Episode Overview
    On this episode of The Butcher Shop fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash sits down with Kirk Klingensmith, a retired Corning engineer and lifelong angler, for a physics-driven breakdown of why streamers move the way they do. Klingensmith, who wrote the "physics of fly motion" chapter for Blane Chocklett's Game Changer book, brings a scientist's eye to the vise, translating drag, momentum and weight placement into practical tying and fishing decisions. In Part One of this two-part conversation, he and Cash work through jig flies and wrecking or kicking flies, saving swim flies for a follow-up episode.
    The jig fly discussion centers on the Clouser Minnow, where lead-eye placement and hook angle (90-degree versus 60-degree versus 15-degree jig hooks) determine whether a fly dips gently or nose-dives on the pause, and on how bucktail's stiffness contrasts with the collapsing action of flash-bodied flies like the Kreelex. From there the two turn to wrecking and kicking flies such as Blane Chocklett's T-Bone, unpacking how momentum in the tail and drag in the head combine to create the sideways "kick" that triggers strikes from muskies, smallmouth and brown trout alike. Throughout, Klingensmith returns to a central theme: the fly is only one part of a system that includes leader construction, tippet stiffness, fly line selection and retrieve style, all of which anglers can manipulate to fine-tune a streamer's behavior on the retrieve and on the pause.
    Key Takeaways
    How lead-eye placement on a Clouser Minnow determines whether the fly dips gently or nose-dives on the pause
    Why bucktail and flash materials like Kreinik Flash create fundamentally different drop behaviors when a jig fly stalls
    When to switch to a full-length tippet leader, as used in Alaska salmon fishing and Euro-nymphing, to amplify a jig fly's drop and sink rate
    How momentum in a fly's tail combines with drag in the head to produce the sideways kick that triggers musky, smallmouth and brown trout strikes
    Why reverse-tied bucktail heads, as used on the T-Bone, stall and flare on the pause to exaggerate a wrecking fly's action
    How retrieve style, fly line choice and tippet stiffness work together as a system to control a streamer's action, not just the fly itself

    Techniques & Gear Covered
    Klingensmith walks through how lead-eye placement on a Clouser Minnow governs its jigging action and contrasts bucktail's stiffer, slower-collapsing profile with the accelerated drop of flash-bodied flies like the Kreelex, tied with Kreinik Flash. He details how 90-degree, 60-degree and 15-degree jig hooks change the abruptness of the transition between retrieve and pause, and how a full-tippet leader system, borrowed from Alaska salmon fishing and Euro-nymphing with jig streamers, sinks a fly faster and amplifies its drop. On wrecking and kicking flies, he breaks down the reverse-tied bucktail construction behind Blane Chocklett's T-Bone, explaining how a dense, high-drag head stalls on the pause while a lower-drag tail continues forward and kicks sideways, and how material choices such as deer hair, wool, synthetics and foam heads change how a fly suspends or sinks at rest. He also touches on line selection, using sink-tip or full-sinking lines to present a kicking fly low in the water column, and loop knots as the standard connection for preserving that action.
    Locations & Species
    Klingensmith fishes primarily for smallmouth bass on the Chemung River, a Susquehanna tributary in the Finger Lakes region of New York, running a drift boat and carrying both floating and sinking lines to cover different parts of the water column. The bite triggers discussed apply broadly across predatory species, with specific mentions of musky, brown trout and smallmouth reacting to kicking and wrecking fly action, and striped bass responding to jigging presentations on pressured saltwater flats.
    FAQ / Key Questions Answered
    What determines whether a jig fly dips or nose-dives on the pause?
    Weight placement and hook geometry are the primary factors. Moving the lead eyes farther from the hook eye on a Clouser Minnow produces a flatter drop, while placing weight closer to the eye causes a more pronounced nose-dive; steeper jig hook angles (90 degrees versus 60 or 15 degrees) create a more abrupt transition between the retrieve and the pause.
    Why do bucktail and flash-bodied jig flies behave differently when they stall?
    Bucktail is a stiffer material that resists collapsing, so a fly like the Clouser Minnow dips rather than dives when it stops. Flash materials, like limp Kreinik Flash, offer far less resistance, and flies like the Kreelex fall more like a flimsy parachute, making them sink faster but with less controlled action.
    How does reverse-tied bucktail create the kicking action in flies like the T-Bone?
    Reverse-tying builds a dense, drag-heavy head that stalls abruptly on the pause while the tail, carrying more momentum and less drag, continues moving forward and swings sideways, similar to a tractor trailer truck jackknifing when the cab brakes. Tuning the length and diameter of the front section, along with the materials used, controls how sharply that kick occurs.
    When should anglers switch to a full-tippet leader for jig flies?
    A leader made entirely of tippet material, as used in Alaska for salmon and increasingly in Euro-nymphing with jig streamers, reduces resistance in the system so the fly sinks faster and produces a stronger, more pronounced jigging pull on the pause. This is especially useful when maximum depth and drop are the goal.
    Why do predatory fish sometimes strike a fly that doesn't resemble food at all?
    Klingensmith points out that fish lack hands, so investigating an unfamiliar object or eliminating a struggling intruder from their territory can trigger a strike independent of whether the fly looks edible. Klingensmith sums up the goal as tying a fly that wins an award for looking helpless, hurt and vulnerable rather than one that looks like a healthy baitfish.
    Sponsors
    Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use ARTFLY20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.
    Related Content
    S1, Ep 2: The T-Bone: A Deep Dive with Blane Chocklett - The Butcher Shop
    S2, Ep 2: A Deep Dive into the Swingin' D: Techniques and Tips with Mike Schultz - The Butcher Shop
    S6, Ep 124: Fly Tying with Chase Smith
    BONUS: Mastering the Beast: A Deep Dive into Bob Popovics' Legendary Fly with Captain Ben Whalley
    BONUS: Castability Unleashed: Mark Sedotti's Journey with the Sedotti Slammer
    Connect with Our Guest
    Follow Kirk on Facebook and Instagram.
    Follow the Show
    Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
    Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.
    Support the Show
    Shop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.
    Join our Patreon community to support the show.
    If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.
    Subscribe & Advertise
  • The Articulate Fly

    S8, Ep 56: Topwater Tactics: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report

    29/07/2026 | 10 mins.
    Episode Overview
    On this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for a peak-summer conditions update on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania. Flows are running skinny with a stretch of cool mornings and low humidity, with rain in the forecast to bump levels back up. Shumaker breaks down a topwater program built around a heavy blue damsel bite, the arrival of the white fly hatch on both rivers and cicadas working the banks, along with the disciplined casting angles and dead-drift-then-pop presentation that turn a good popper bite into a great one. He also covers how he adjusts on cooler mornings when bug activity is slow, switching clients to lightly-weighted Clouser minnows and crayfish patterns fished on floating lines and long leaders to stay in the smallmouth's strike zone without hanging up. Shumaker explains why he skips the obvious white fly dry fly in favor of a small floating minnow or white popper during the dusk-into-dark spinner fall and why a proper strip set, not a trout set, is the difference between a hookup and a miss. The conversation closes with a seasonal look ahead: bookings running into early October before the bite transitions from topwater to streamers as water temperatures cool through the fall.
    Key Takeaways
    How to position the boat and cast at a consistent 45-degree angle downstream so both anglers maintain a natural drift without creating drag or crossing lines
    Why the pause after a popper's initial splat, not the retrieve, is what triggers a smallmouth strike
    When to switch from topwater to lightly-weighted Clouser minnows and crayfish patterns on cooler, low-activity topwater mornings
    Why floating lines and 9-foot leaders outperform intermediate lines for working skinny summer flows without hanging bottom
    How to fish the Susquehanna's white fly hatch with a small floating minnow or white popper instead of a matching dry fly
    Why a strip set rather than a trout set is essential for solid hookups on topwater and streamer eats

    Techniques & Gear Covered
    Shumaker's summer program centers on blue and black poppers fished with a deliberate splat-pause-pop-pause retrieve, paired with disciplined 45-degree downstream casting angles from both the bow and stern to keep flies drifting at boat speed and avoid drag. For lower-activity topwater mornings, he switches clients to lightly-weighted Clouser minnows tied with small dumbbell or bead chain eyes and crayfish patterns worked with short strips and a pause, fished on floating lines with 9-foot leaders rather than intermediate lines. During the Susquehanna and Juniata white fly hatch, he intentionally avoids a matching dry fly in favor of a small floating minnow or small white popper, reasoning that a fly which stands out from thousands of naturals draws a more confident eat. Across every presentation he emphasizes a strip set over a trout set to avoid pulling the fly away from a committed fish.
    Locations & Species
    The report centers on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania, where smallmouth bass are the primary target during the height of topwater season. Conditions are running low and clear after several days of cooler, low-humidity weather, with rain needed to bump flows back to normal summer levels. The Susquehanna's white fly hatch is in full swing alongside blue damsels and resident cicadas, a combination that defines the region's peak summer surface bite from late morning through the dusk-into-dark spinner fall.
    FAQ / Key Questions Answered
    Why does the pause matter more than the retrieve when fishing poppers for smallmouth bass?
    Shumaker explains that whether an angler is fishing a popper, streamer, crayfish pattern or hellgrammite imitation, smallmouth bass eat during the pause far more often than during active movement. The retrieve gets the fly in front of the fish, but the pause is what triggers the strike.
    How should anglers position themselves in a drift boat when casting poppers for smallmouth?
    Both the bow and stern anglers should cast at a consistent 45-degree angle downstream rather than straight out or straight downstream. This keeps each fly drifting at the same speed as the boat, prevents drag and avoids the two anglers crossing or tangling lines, with the oar marking the boundary between each angler's casting lane.
    What should anglers throw when cooler mornings slow the topwater bite?
    On cooler, low-activity mornings, Shumaker switches clients to lightly-weighted Clouser minnows and crayfish patterns fished on floating lines with 9-foot leaders. The lighter weight keeps the fly up off the bottom in the strike zone without hanging up, since he is intentionally avoiding intermediate lines in the current flow conditions.
    Why does Brian Shumaker avoid using a standard dry fly during the white fly hatch?
    Even though smallmouth will eat a dry fly during a heavy white fly spinner fall, Shumaker prefers a small floating minnow or small white popper because it stands out among the huge volume of naturals on the water. Giving fish something visually different from the thousands of identical insects increases the odds of a confident, aggressive eat.
    Why is a trout set the wrong hookset technique for smallmouth bass on the Susquehanna?
    Lifting the rod straight up in a traditional trout set pulls the fly away from the fish rather than driving the hook home. Shumaker recommends a strip set instead, which keeps tension on the line and results in a much more reliable hookup on topwater and streamer eats alike.
    Related Content
    S8, Ep 52: Hot Days and Night Bites: Brian Shumaker's Guide to Pennsylvania Smallmouth Fishing
    S8, Ep 48: Summer Heat Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Tips
    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
    View all Pennsylvania Smallmouth Reports with Brian Shumaker
    Connect with Our Guest
    Follow Brian on Facebook and Instagram.
    Follow the Show
    Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
    Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.
    Support the Show
    Shop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.
    Join our Patreon community to support the show.
    If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.
    Subscribe & Advertise
    Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.
    Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.
More Education podcasts
About The Articulate Fly
The Articulate Fly Fly Fishing Podcast regularly releases interviews with national and regional personalities covering fly fishing, fly tying and fly fishing travel. We also regularly release fishing reports for the novice and experienced fly angler. Whether you just loved a River Runs Through It or you are a streamer junkie, a dry fly addict, a swinger or a nymph head, we have you covered! To learn more, visit www.thearticulatefly.com.
Podcast website

Listen to The Articulate Fly, All Ears English Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
The Articulate Fly: Podcasts in Family