The Articulate Fly

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 AnsweredHow 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

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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 AnsweredWhat 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

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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 AnsweredWhy 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

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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 AnsweredWhat 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

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Helpful Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction

05:28 Engineering Meets Fly Fishing

09:27 Blane and The Game Changer

14:19 Jig Fly Physics

22:41 Rigging Jig Streamers

34:43 Wrecking Fly Triggers

42:40 Shaping the Stall

47:09 Shanks, Length and Kick

51:04 Line Control Matters

57:55 Irregular Retrieves Win

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 AnsweredWhy 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

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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 AnsweredWhat 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 AnsweredWhy 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 AnsweredWhy 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 AnsweredWhat 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 AnsweredWhat 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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