2026 Fly Fishing Smallie Thread

I got out early this year when they were staged up at the creek mouths. Man was my arm sore! Here’s a good one compared to the queen I caught that day. Slob! I probably already missed the big ones on the way back out.
 

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No SMB trip on the J or susky (Or Central PA trout run from SEPA) is complete without a stop to the good ole Duncannon Sheetz.
Not on the way home for a few years now, unless I am missing the hack for crossing over all the jawns in the middle of the road preventing left turns. Now it's a Rutter taquito that's been rotating on there for a fortnight 😉
 
Not on the way home for a few years now, unless I am missing the hack for crossing over all the jawns in the middle of the road preventing left turns. Now it's a Rutter taquito that's been rotating on there for a fortnight 😉
No hacks aside from crossing the susky and doubling back on the exit right on the otherside

Those left turns were treacherous in peak traffic
 
Not on the way home for a few years now, unless I am missing the hack for crossing over all the jawns in the middle of the road preventing left turns. Now it's a Rutter taquito that's been rotating on there for a fortnight 😉
So pleased they placed the barriers. I've felt it was so stupid to allow left turns out of there. I've seen enough close calls
 
Has anyone done any wade fishing on the Susquehanna yet this season?
Dear bdhoover,

I haven't, but it is definitely wadable now. Thirty years ago, Bob Clouser told me you'd better exactly know where the heck you were going unless the river was under 4 ft in Harrrisburg.

It's 3.7 now, and unless storms tomorrow night or Friday drop a deluge somewhere in the drainage it should be fine this weekend. It is supposed to rain off and on with a chance for thunderstorms on Saturday in the Harrisburg area though.

Watch the weather and type MARFC in your web browser to get a forecast if weekend fishing is your plans.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂
 
Much appreciated for the helpful info!
Dear bdhoover,

You're welcome. MARFC, The Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center, has become for me the USGS gauges of old. They monitor fewer sites but show larger trends. The USGS has shut down probably 30% or more of their gauges over the last 5 years in PA, so I watch MARFC.

For example, the West Branch Susquehanna in Jersey Shore is at 2.3 right now. If rain the next 2 days says its forecast for over 3 ft by Sunday that pretty much says that every small stream north of I-80 in Lycoming, and Clinton County should be in prime fishing condition on Saturday.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂
 
Skunked this afternoon on the Conodiguinet. Water was super low and clear.

I should have gone to the Juniata or even down to Harper’s Ferry…but I decided sleeping in was a better idea.
 
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