Susquehanna River, Lancaster County Falmouth 7/24/20

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Got sometime late morning into afternoon to rock hop the rocks at Falmouth today. It was hot out. On fire really.
Water felt warm but surely cooler than the air. I did not take a temp. I always love the scenery here.

Bass activity was moderate for this area. The past so many years it has always been slow here for me. What you do catch is good sized generally in the lower area.
I did see activity from larger bass. Unfortunately, even with the very low water and ability to really get out there, those fish were out of reach. Many were chasing minnows and some were crashing after the damsel flies everywhere.
I really took my time and observed a lot.
My target area was the currents above the third powerline from the launch. Lots of smaller fish up there.
I fished the whole way up after a larger specimen but struck out. I also wore myself out by the time i got there.
I did catch a few bass in the 15" range on an orange and brown articulated sex dungeon.


Only got to fish there for 10 minutes. Bass activity was heavy.

Think im hitting the river tomorrow morning. You fish when you can and i finally got the time but man those were rough conditions.

It was enjoyable casting my spey rod and catching a few bass.

Ill update my report for tomorrow mornings outing also and throw up a few pics.

 

[Dave_W]

salvelinusfontinalis wrote:

Ill update my report for tomorrow mornings outing also and throw up a few pics.

Good report - looking forward to hearing about tomorrow's outing.

I have often had good river bass fishing during weather periods such as we're experiencing with long days of high pressure and hot, humid, thunderstormy weather.

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

Sorry would like to add. After all these years living in Lancaster County i have watched bass crash on the west bank side in the evenings. Also on the side of structures opposite of the west bank facing me but way out beside rock structures or islands.

I have noticed this as the sun goes past the river to the west bank side. I swear they follow it because it shades to that side.
I imagine York County fisherman catch more bass ;-)

 

[KGStine]

I'm planning to get up there soon. Haven't been there the last 2 years, primarily due to water levels. I use a kayak though, rock hopping is just too tough for me. Good luck tomorrow.

 

[Mike]

When there is little or no water spilling over the dam the York Co side probably has better dissolved oxygen concentrations because of the agitation below the power plant. The Lancaster Co side gets pretty stagnant and when boat electrofishing you have to shock way too much habitat in five ft of water or less to see a few fish of any species. There may be more at greater mid channel depth on the Lanc Co side, however. Also, fish abundance noticeably picks up when water is spilling over the dam in more than just that small spot about mid-way along the dam. That spot does attract a fair number of walleye, however.

 

[Angled]

On 26th saw white fly hatch and think that was first time they were out in numbers near Harrisburg. Oddly there were few fish rising or biting. Actually had more fish rising in previous weeks when there was no obvious hatch (but suspect some cahills were out then judging from all of them splattered on my windshield but not many on the water).

Water temp was 87 and quite low. New kayak does not look so new on the bottom any longer. If kayaking consider current is so low that south wind will push you upstream.

 

[henrydavid]

Thanks for the update on the white flies Angled

 

[wbranch]

I took a ride today to Lititz and when I crossed the river it appeared to be the lowest flow I have ever seen on the down river side of the bridge. The Marietta gage is reading 7,070 cfs. Way to low to run the bass boat.

 

[SurfCowboyXX]

Sal, it has been my experience that the West side of the Susky is the side to fish from Sunbury down.