Susquehanna Fly and Spin Guide Service Fishing Report for the Susquehanna River - May 25, 2010

The smallmouth were coming to the top for surface flies and surface plugs along with some jig action in the mix which got my repeat clients tied up with good sized Catfish. The smallmouth are in their postpawn period and eating well in current areas. Nothing better than Smallies taking a surface presentation! Give us call to get in on the action! -----<*)}}}}}}>< Tight Lines Everyone!

Check out Steve Hancock's Susquehanna Fly and Spin Guide Service on the web:
http://www.susquehannaflyandspin.com/

Susquehanna Fishing Magazine Releases 5th Issue Next Week!

During the first week of June, Susquehanna Fishing Magazine will be releasing its fifth issue! The June issue will include articles on soft stickbaiting for smallmouth, kayak camping along the Susquehanna River, proper fish measuring for fish reproductions, and more! We especially want to thank our June flagship sponsors Robbins Marine and Ocean Eyes.

While the print issue may not be to pick-up locations prior to next week, the June issue will be available for free download at SusquehannaFishing.com on Friday, May 28th.
http://susquehannafishing.com/

As of this post, there is also still minimal advertising space left, so contact us for discounted rates!

A sneak preview of the June cover:

The Great Black Hole Creek Fishin' Derby this Weekend: Montgomery, PA

"The Great Black Hole Creek Fishin' Derby" will be this Saturday, May 22nd, at the Bower Street bridge on South Main Street in Montgomery. Registration begins at 8am - and fishing starts at 9am. Children under 15 are all invited. There will be a drawing for prizes.

May 5, 2010: Susquehanna Fly and Spin Guide Service Fishing Report

With the wind came smallmouth bass to the boat today for my 2 repeat anglers who had a good time this evening jigging them up. The smallies have also been taking a variety of other lures and flies as well. Some productive fishing is upon us so give us a call to get in on the action! Tight Lines Everyone!-----<*)}}}}}}><

Check out Susquehanna Fly and Spin Guide Service on the web:
http://www.susquehannaflyandspin.com/

Rare Find on the River, Red-Bellied Turtle

Recently Susquehanna Fishing Magazine friend J Michael Mann came across a rare red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) along the mouth of Bald Eagle Creek near the Susquehanna River, in Clinton County, PA. Now, possibly for the first time ever documented in Clinton County.

The threatened red-bellied turtle is the second largest of Pennsylvania's turtles. They are able to reach over 10 inches in length.

Mann notes, "I knew what it was the instant I saw it, but I could not get over it's size, and I have never seen one in the wild before, just pictures in books and on the internet. I'm glad to have found one so far north, where they are not supposed to live."

The Red Bellied was returned to the wild.

For more information:
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/endangered/endangt12.htm

Susquehanna Sojourn to Celebrate 20th Anniversary on West Branch

From the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership:

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Susquehanna River Sojourns. This traditional sojourn started when a group of ecologically minded, self-professed “River Rats” were sitting around a campfire on one of their paddles and discussing how great it would be if more people could experience paddling and camping along one of the Commonwealth’s greatest rivers.

Cindy Dunn, one of those sojourn visionaries, was working for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (ACB) at the time and understood the importance of the Susquehanna to the whole Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. She is now Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The program that she helped to start 20 years ago has grown to include 12 different sojourns across the state and is a national model for connecting people to their natural environment in a fun and educational way.

The Susquehanna Sojourn will be held on the West Branch this year, beginning Sunday, June 13 in Renovo and ending the following Saturday ─ 97 miles away ─ at the Shikellamy State Park in Sunbury. Paddlers in canoes and kayaks will experience life on the river and have the opportunity to participate in service projects while learning about the heritage of the West Branch Susquehanna region.

The cost is $70 per day for adults, $35 per day for children, and includes lunch, dinner, entertainment, educational activities and shuttles. Interested individuals may register online at www.susquehannagreenway.org. The registration deadline is May 28.

The Sojourn is intended to raise awareness about the natural and cultural resources of the West Branch, promote public access to these resources, and encourage stewardship of the watershed. It is being hosted by the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) with the ACB and Trout Unlimited. The sojourn is partially funded through a grant from the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, with assistance from DCNR.

Canoeists and kayakers will paddle an average of 16-miles a day, spending the night at various camping areas along the West Branch. The longest distance will be Friday, June 18 ─ twenty three miles from Montoursville to Milton State Park. Participants need little experience, as long as they are comfortable paddling a kayak or canoe. All boats must be registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Paddlers must provide their own kayak or canoe. If you don’t own one, information on local outfitters for renting kayaks and canoes will available on www.susquehannagreenway.org. Participants must also provide their own camping equipment.

Programs are planned every evening including local musicians, discussions on river-related issues, hikes, fly fishing demonstrations, historic walking tours, and presentations about the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative and Clinton County’s lumber heritage. Plans are being finalized for additional programs and options.

Participants can take part in as many days of the Sojourn as they wish. Shuttles will be available each day. Paddlers will leave cars and trucks at the point where they will conclude the Sojourn. The complete schedule for the week and registration information is available at www.susquehannagreenway.org the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership’s website.

Daily participation is limited to 100 canoes and kayaks. River guides from Canoe Susquehanna, based in Lewisburg, will direct the Sojourn, provide safety instruction, and help participants keep up and navigate the river.

According to Trish Carothers of the SGP, “Like the Susquehanna Greenway itself, the Sojourn will help individuals achieve a better understanding and stronger connection with the river. We are especially interested in getting local youth groups involved. Whether they take part for six days, one day, or some number in between, participants will have an experience they’ll never forget.”

If your organization would like to get involved or be a sojourn sponsor please contact Sarah Koontz at skoontz@susquehannagreenway.org.

To learn more about the other sojourns that are happening on other rivers across the state please visit the POWR website at: www.pawatersheds.org

May 3, 2010 Susquehanna River Fly and Spin Fishing Report

A charter cancellation this rainy morning meant I got to fish today on my own and what a great day it was fishing current areas with a nice size walleye and a bunch of smallmouths making it to the boat on a variety of lures and flies. The catching was cut short as an impressive mid day storm passed through pushing me back to the boat ramp for an early day. Still some dates available and the fishing is good!
Get Bent and Sling some string with us!------<*)}}}}}>< Tight lines Everyone!

Check out Susquehanna Fly and Spin guide Service on the web:
http://www.susquehannaflyandspin.com/

Splash Magic Campground Family Fishing Weekend, May 14-16

For a Really Great Family Fishing Weekend. . .

If you have not heard of Splash Magic Campground or had the opportunity to visit there yet, you will be in for a pleasant surprise. The campground in Northumberland, Pennsylvania is located on 46 beautiful acres fronting the Susquehanna River. The facility includes two large swimming pools heated to 86 degrees, a newly constructed splash park, an in-ground hot tub, a covered entertainment complex, an outdoor movie theater, bumper boats, miniature golf, bike rental shop, campground store, snack bar and arts & crafts center. Located throughout the campground are several very clean bathhouses and two laundry facilities. For the camping enthusiast there are over 100 full hook up sites with water, sewer, electric and cable TV as well as an area designated for tent camping. There are also 41 cabins, each with its own heat, A/C, full kitchen, bathroom, TV and outside BBQ grill. Each site or cabin is also equipped with a picnic table and fire ring for outside enjoyment.

The campground slogan, “Where family memories are made,” definitely applies here. There is so much for children to do they will not complain about being bored. Each week is a themed week and includes events such as Pirates of the Susquehanna Week, Christmas in August, Mardi Gras, Las Vegas and Carnival. Each week has a detailed schedule of events from which your children can choose and there are several events per day that keep each child active. One of the highlights is the daily pool games held at 1PM each day when the children take over the adult pool in an organized competition headed by the recreation director. Pool games are a family event and adults are encouraged to get in and play with their children.

If you love to fish and want to have a great family experience, you must register for the Family Fishing Weekend, May 14-16. There are still plenty of trailer, RV or tents sites and some cabins available for this event. Those who register will be able to help stock the large four-acre fishing pond. There will also be several fishing demonstrations by some local experts and a fishing tournament held on Saturday afternoon. Prizes will be awarded for several categories in the tournament. The swimming pool will be open this weekend. Your children will be able to help wake up Splash, Magic and Tubby and ride with our mascots in a tractor-pulled wagon ride around the park. The entire facility is gearing up for a great weekend and will feature an outdoor movie, bingo, Saturday morning ceramics and evening entertainment in our covered pavilion.

The web site is www.riverandfun.com or you can call the campground office for more information or to make a reservation. Tel (800) 243-1056 or (570) 473-8021