Finally the big river fished really good. Fish rising everywhere on cahill spinners and brown drakes. Fish were rising from when I got there till I could no longer see. Blockhead (micro) poppers and perch clouser were the ticket. Spinning guys were wacking fish as well. Finally the east side cleared up. My Jeep will get a break now I don't have to drive all over the place finding cooperative smallies.
Susquehanna River - Dauphin 9/13/2010
- Thread starter j_man
- Start date
j_man, if you don't mind saying, how far above Harrisburg were you? I would like to get out, but hate to fish barren water, and Bobby Clouser told me folks in the Kipona "tournament" didn't catch squat. Supposedly some were skunked entirely. I've always liked the narrows, but am wondering if the fish are back there. I know what you mean about having to drive all over the place to find bass.
Years ago fish could be found everywhere during the summer and they would be very willing to take off the top. Now, that isn't the case. I have found that fishing in the Fall through the Spring provides the best results above Harrisburg. I usually fish out of a jet boat when the river in over 30,000 on the Harrisburg gauge. I focus on bridges, mud banks w/ steep drop offs, ledges, and little island grass beds. Most of the time the smallies are stacked up together, so it's rather easy to run and gun to find fish. It is very difficult to find fish during the summer due to the heat and low water conditions. Perhaps, others like Jman our more experienced, I just happily wait for Fall. I would imagine that the fish should be a little easier to coax now that the temperatures have declined. My favorite summertime area was around New Buffalo, but I haven't attempted to wade that area for over 5 years. It wasn't difficult to land over a hundred fish in an outing back in the late 90's. I keep the Susky in my prayers. I'll always have fond memories of fishing with my Dad, brothers, and friends up there.
~Mike
~Mike
That area still has some bass, but you are right not like the days of old during the summer. I took a couple beatings trying to find these buggers. Right now though the low water has them stacked in certain areas. Last night for fun I tried a yellow PMX by swisher on an 8. They were all over it. All of a sudden there is rockies around too.
