Floated Susky with my youngest nephew, Fishwagen and his dad. Floated from 7am - 3pm. Water flow was low about (half of typical cfs for this time of year). Foggy to start the day but the sun burned that off pretty quickly. The water was much clearer than last year since the algae bloom wasn't present. Air temp between 65 to start and 84 degrees at end of float. Water temp not taken but high 70's to low 80's is my guess. Moderate yak and boat traffic. Between the two boats, 75-80 fish. Lots of little guys under 10"-11". We did manage a few bigger fish but the average size isnt anywhere close to what we did last year. Maybe it will turn around later in the summer. Finally got the little guy to toss the fly rod for bass but it didn't last long. He hooked up on the second cast with a closer and again on the third cast. Both fish got off and a sink tip on 9'6" rod was a bit too much for him to handle. In all, pretty good day and had fun.
Susquehanna River, 6-25-16, Dauphin County
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lycoflyfisher
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That's good news that you caught a good number of smaller fish under 10in. One of the biggest concerns on the river with the smb issue is that with the poor yoy recruitment showed over several years that there may be a lack of that age class or its numbers would be greatly diminished. In my experience on the west branch and from what others have said overall less fish are being caught, but usually some nicer fish in the 18-20 in range with very few under 12in being caught.
Excellent.
I think, sometimes, in the early summer that smaller SMBs just seem to bounce back faster from the spawn and move into summer holding areas (riffles, ledge rock, etc). Larger fish seem to "wake up" slower and perhaps take longer to settle into summer routine and perhaps that may explain the smaller fish so far(?). Afishin did get some bigger fish this same day.
I think when the river gets this low, a sink or sink tip is an impediment in most of that river section. Anyway, glad to hear your nephew had a good time.
I think, sometimes, in the early summer that smaller SMBs just seem to bounce back faster from the spawn and move into summer holding areas (riffles, ledge rock, etc). Larger fish seem to "wake up" slower and perhaps take longer to settle into summer routine and perhaps that may explain the smaller fish so far(?). Afishin did get some bigger fish this same day.
I think when the river gets this low, a sink or sink tip is an impediment in most of that river section. Anyway, glad to hear your nephew had a good time.
