Susquehanna River Lancaster County 9/17/2015

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Got the opportunity to fish the Falmouth section from 9am to 12pm today. Upon arrival the area was mega foggy but it didn't feel humid. in fact the weather was perfect. Within 1 hour the fog disappeared. water was stained but clear on the edges. Making my way up from the boat launch I had 1 smallmouth leap out of the water about 10 feet directly in front of my yak. The fish was a beast, had to go 6lbs+. Carp were rising too but occasionally you would see a bass crash the surface near the rocks.

It seemed to me that in the deeper channels cutting their way through that section that the bass were cruising. I floated over a few smallmouth that were just swimming around. It made targeting the bigger fish hard because they weren't were you saw them leap out by the time you got in range. Most of the bigger fish I caught 15-16" were in the deep water but near the surface beside shallow rocky areas. I saw hordes of schooling bait fish migrating up river in long lines in these areas. Likely why the bass were moving around.

I worked my way upstream to were it gets more turbulent and fished a good distance upstream rock hoping. The fish up there are smaller (10-12") and stacked up in current seams behind rocks sticking out of the water or near shallow rocky slack water. In all I caught 30+ smallmouth this morning tossing around a heavy stonecat.

One observation is it seems that the smaller fish in the more turbid water took on a tiger striped appearance. The small fish in the deep slow water were the classic complete bronzed appearance. Anyone ever see this before? I know coloration varies greatly but it was just an observation.

Anyways great morning on the water and my arm is tired!

 

[Fishidiot]

Great report - thirty bass with fish in the mid teens - the great fishing reports from the Susky keep coming.

Regarding the coloration of the bass, I have not noticed that before (fish with different markings in different sections).
My guess would be that the difference you noted is more a result of the size of the fish (smaller fish with the more distinct markings) rather than habitat. It may just have been a coincidence that the smaller fish in the fast water looked different from the smaller ones in deeper water. Bass can change colors a bit when moved to a different environment, but - in my experience - SMBs in the 10-13" range or so seem to have the most distinct barring and body markings in the rivers around here. Smaller fish are often more of a flecked black and gold appearance with little or no barring... and big fish over 15" seem to be darker with the markings present but more blended.
This is a tremendous oversimplification as SMB coloration and markings really vary a lot - but I think this trend holds true generally for river bass around here.

Interesting note also on the fish moving. If you watch bass in a river from a bridge in summer, it is common to see them moving around a lot. In this case, however, I think you nailed it with the baitfish movement. I'll bet those bass were maneuvering in response to the schools of bait. Although hard to pattern, common sense would suggest these fish to be aggressive. Bass are intelligent and will move in teams to herd baitfish.

Great report! Hopefully I can get back up there soon. The super low water levels lately are ideal for wading right now and the bass really seem to be in a happy, summer feeding mood.

 

[krayfish2]

That section has some pretty cool / unique structure. I need to get down that way again sometime...it's bee 20+ yrs or so.

2 board members floated the Susky up my way yesterday and I ran their shuttle befor work. They did pretty decent including some bigger fish. They also saw what was assumed to be a musky chasing bait I. The shallow edge of the islands. During the float, a few pods or rooting carp were also found who h is nice to see since sightings have few and far between.

Hopefully we get some rain soon and the levels bump back up. In the last couple of years, it's been prey good between now and the end of October.

 

[KGStine]

Can this section be waded? I've waded the York side below York Haven Dam, but have never been on the Lancaster County side.

 

[wbranch]

Yes, wonderful report! I've been fishing above Duncannon and had been doing well until about a week ago when the fishing really fell off. The water up there is low and super clear and I think that is the main reason the fishing is off. I was going to stay home on Saturday but your report has me all fired up and I'm going up to try that section.

It doesn't look like there is enough water even for my jet so I think I'll just try wading wet.

 

[Fishidiot]

KGStine wrote:
Can this section be waded? I've waded the York side below York Haven Dam, but have never been on the Lancaster County side.

The river is currently at 3.1' which is very low - an excellent time to explore different areas and get a feel for structure and depth.

Really, across the state, now is the time to check out larger WW rivers - the clear water and low levels allow one to perceive subtleties and bottom structure not normally as obvious or accessible under more typical levels and clarity.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Can this section be waded? I've waded the York side below York Haven Dam, but have never been on the Lancaster County side.

Yes and no. As kray said the geology is unique and consists of huge boulders that extend out into the river in waves and pockets. Just upstream of the boat launch they come out from bank like piers. Once you get to the main channel, that it. It's very deep and not wade able. They area is best fished by boat because only rock hopping allows to fish about 25% of the section. It is also dangerous and tiresome.

Keep your feet out of the water. If you step in and then on one of the lightly coated rocks you will go down. The only thing more slippery than a DRY susquehanna rock is everything else around ;-)

As good as this report sounds this year I had my best days around the rock bass grill.

 

[wbranch]

Salvelinus wrote:

"They area is best fished by boat because only rock hopping allows to fish about 25% of the section. It is also dangerous and tiresome."

I found that out when I went there this morning. Arrived at 7:15 and went down river before that big tower. Just a nightmare to wade even with felts, cleats, and a wading staff. The rocks are all different sizes and shapes so every step you are having to look where you are going and are up and down and one second it is knee deep and the next second it was crotch deep. Caught a bunch of fish, well over a dozen and about four were 12" - 14". Next time I'll be bringing the jet. I noticed almost all the boats were out of the water and gone by 11:00.

I was so tired and exhausted from trying not to fall that when I finally decided to quit I barely had the strength and energy to walk back to the shore and then back to the car. About to take a nice long nap to re-charge myself.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

I'm right there with you. So sore on Friday I didn't go even though I could have. Still tired. In all honesty I'm thinking about investing in the korkers rocktrax plus for next season. After all the bruises, bumps and gashes I got from the river my first season back on it in 20+ years I think it might be a good investment, along with a wading staff.

Even though sounds like you still did decent. It has been a good year on the river and I'm optimistic about the future on the SM Bass there now.

 

[Fishidiot]

salvelinusfontinalis wrote:
Still tired. In all honesty I'm thinking about investing in the korkers rocktrax plus for next season. After all the bruises, bumps and gashes I got from the river my first season back on it in 20+ years I think it might be a good investment, along with a wading staff.

Definitely a good call.

I always wear my Korkers and have a wading staff when wading the Susky. Just too much slick ledge rock and boulders like greased bowling balls.

To be sure, I'm a cautious wader...but I can't remember the last time I fell wading the Susky. Cleats and a staff are worth every penny!

I wear my Korkers on the Potomac around Harper's Ferry as well...however the Susky is considerably more difficult.

 

[Fishidiot]

wbranch wrote:
I was so tired and exhausted from trying not to fall that when I finally decided to quit I barely had the strength and energy to walk back to the shore and then back to the car. About to take a nice long nap to re-charge myself.

This is worth noting if you're a WW newbie - that an experienced angler like Wbranch got worn out like this should tell you something: it can be tough wading on the Susky.

Get out there and enjoy the fantastic bass fishing we're seeing this summer, but take your time if you're wading.

 

[KGStine]

Thanks for all the wading info, think I'll stick to the easier sections at the Rt 30 bridge at Wrightsville.

 

[Biggie]

I gave up on wading the big river years ago. I fish the Juniata, much easier on this old mans knees.

 

[NedZeppelin]

I have had the experience of wading out into the Susky till dusk near Millersville, looking towards shore as the evening deepened nd realizing i had no clear path back. White knuckles all the way in.

 

[wgmiller]

Rock hopping really takes its toll on a person. Your lower extremities better be able to handle the constant physical challenges it presents (ankles, knees, etc.). It's funny how physically draining fly fishing can be when wading/walking/hiking/etc. Focus on the task at hand really masks the physical demands of it.