Susquehanna River, Lancaster Co., 6/18/14

[dc410]

Two years ago I posted a stream report about fishing the "rock garden" below the Holtwood Dam on the Susky. Well.... on the way home this week from working in York Co. I dropped in to check out the rock garden again. The conditions were almost identical to two years ago with high temperatures that day being in the low 90's with high humidity. I checked the dam first and there was a fair amount of water coming over it but the rock garden was very exposed and looked very similar to the last time I fished it.

There was a decent amount of water moving and it was still very off color due to the recent rain events in the state. I saw a small amount of surface activity and started throwing a chartruese stealth bomber on top but had no takes on it. I saw some smallies actively chasing baitfish around some of the pools and in the moving water and up against the rocks. I changed to a black Clouser because of the water clarity and got a decent amount of looks and chases, but no takes. After observing another good fish chasing some silver colored baitfish around I changed to a #4 gray/white Clouser and they hammered it. I focused on one small run where the water was moving pretty good and caught six smallies in about 20 minutes ranging between 6 and 12 inches. I caught fish in at least two age classes and maybe even threee classes. The larger ones stayed down deep when hooked and the smaller fish spent more time out of the water than in it when hooked. The fish all put up a great fight and appeared to be very healthy. It was definitely more fish of different sizes than I encountered two years ago under similar conditions. There is a ton of area to explore out there but I never venture too far out because of being aware of changing conditions and being able to get back to the shore if the water levels start to change. Here is a photo of one smallie that was between 9 and 10 inches long.

 

[Alnitak]

Thanks for the report. I need to give that a try this summer--sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[beeber2]

Nice going dc. Looks like a lot of fun.

 

[jim_k]

Done that years ago and caught 50 plus smallies - but no big ones, it is an interesting experience. Dam lets you know before they start releasing water, so you should have time to clear out of there. They are most likely to ramp up power production in afternoons on hot days.

 

[McSneek]

I assume there is a siren that blows or some other warning if they are going to release more water? I've driven over the bridge on my way to Muddy Creek and seen all kinds of exposed rock only to return a few hours later and there is nary a visible rock. Looks really intriguing when the water is down but I've always been leary of going down there.

On a related note I drove to Williamsport and back on Wednesday. The river was chocolate brown the whole way. Juniata was muddy too. Doesn't look like clear water for awhile.

 

[salmonoid]

They sound a horn and lights flash. A buddy of mine was 3/4ths of the way across one time when this happened. He barely made it back. That whole area in the islands is pretty cool. We have winter camped there a few times and explored the islands in the cold. Makes me wonder what the rest of the Susky would be like if it wasn't impounded multiple times.

 

[dc410]

salmonoid wrote:
They sound a horn and lights flash. A buddy of mine was 3/4ths of the way across one time when this happened. He barely made it back. That whole area in the islands is pretty cool.

I agree, it is really cool out there. I am sure that some of the cuts between all of that ledgerock are really deep. At least they certainly appear to be deep. There was a fair amount of water moving the other day and that seemed to be where I got into the fish. The signage in the area does refer to sirens being sounded previous to them discharging water. I have never experienced that when I was out there so I'm not sure what I am even listening for but I am always very cautious of where I am at and keep in touch with previous established landmarks to get me back to where I entered the riverbed in short order.

 

[HopBack]

You will know when they are about to let water out at the "Horn," (not really a siren) goes off. They don't always let a large amount of water out but you seriously don't want to get caught out there.

 

[Fishidiot]

Good report - and encouraging (the many small bass, not the dam releases that is).

 

[Maurice]

Well remember that the crash didn't occur below Holtwood to the degree it did above and through Harrisburg.

 

[Mike]

Maurice, the fishery in that stretch from Holtwood tail-race to the MD line is managed by MD in exchange for PA managing Yuogh Reservoir.
So there you are. I have teed up the ball; you may now hit it out of the park.

 

[krayfish2]

Floated from Clark's ferry to Daupin narrows yesterday. Fished streamers, plugs and grubs. Was disappointed. Hooked / lost a few small bass. Only thing landed was a snail and the nephew managed to break another rod. Water temps mid 70's, clarity of less than 12". Flow about double what I've ever floated. Around 5:30 - 6pm, cahills started popping and a few fish did rise to them. Should pick up in next couple of days as the water comes down.