Yough River, Westmoreland County, 8/21/10

[greenghost]

Fished the river on Saturday from 5 to 8 pm on a certain stretch between Dawson and Smithton. Weather was warm, humid and overcast -- perfect for smallmouth fishing. Water temped at 77 F. Caught about 12 fish ranging from 4 to 14 inches. All on top with chartrusse and white poppers. Most of the better fish were not caught in the main current but rather in splits near islands and grass beds. I would fish sections of the main river without a pass, then hit a certain stretch between islands for example and do well. Water clarity was very good. The best I've seen on the days I've been able to get out this year. Saw a ton of small bass... a good sign of things to come I hope. And the highlight of the trip... a muskie of about 40 inches with a fish -- looked like a sucker -- sideways in its muzzle. It swam about 8 feet from me. Startled the crap out of me. Very cool.

 

[YoughRiverGuide]

It is incredible the number of small bass that are around this year. I pulled into a huge back-eddy the other day and saw no less than 20 bass swimming around in there between 1 to four inches in a space no larger than a bath tub.

I'm going to need gps coordinates on the musky. 🙂

Glad to hear you had a good time.

 

[greenghost]

YoughRiverGuide wrote:

I'm going to need gps coordinates on the musky. 🙂

Can't give coordinates... but it was 500 yards up from the big, deep pool in the the river across from the big maple tree on the bank. :-D

 

[albatross]

Sorry I missed fishing with you.

I was out for a couple hours Suday evening up closer to Confluence. Hooked and lost one bass on a popper and landed an 11 inch bass on a black zonker.

 

[JackM]

YoughRiverGuide wrote:

I'm going to need gps coordinates on the musky. 🙂

I would say follow the fingerlings....

I have seen musky lingering around the mouth of the Casselman out by the big boulder.

 

[bam]

No muskie, but I caught two pike right below that boulder back in the day. I heard there are quite a few throughout Laurel Hill as well...

 

[Fishidiot]

Neat report. Although bassin has been rather poor for me this year, I too have seen just huge numbers of YOY bass just about everywhere I've been fishing.