Picture taken just a short while ago on the North Branch. A huge female and smaller male are also just out of view. Please do your part to protect the future of the Susquehanna Fishery.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Stay Off The Beds...
Picture taken just a short while ago on the North Branch. A huge female and smaller male are also just out of view. Please do your part to protect the future of the Susquehanna Fishery.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Elements, Part II (SFM, March 2011)
From the March 2011 issue of Susquehanna Fishing Magazine:
http://susquehannafishing.com/
By William Milheim
I spend my spring, summer, and fall on the North Branch. Every week or so the Rod Gods smile on my boat and give me that one hundred fish day. When no matter what you throw at them, they hit. As you can guess, I love those days. Many elements need to come together for those days to happen. Last month we discussed weather and the part it plays for a good day of fishing. This article will focus on water temperature and how it affects the bite.
For this discussion my target fish will be smallmouth bass. Water temperature is a good element to understand, as it relates to smallmouth. For the most part, water temperature will give you a good idea where and how to fish.
Before we get started, it helps to know a few differences between lakes and rivers when it comes to water temperature. Lakes have water surface temperature, bottom temperature, and a thermocline in between. Rivers are far easier, because there isn’t any difference between the surface temp and the bottom temperature, and that’s a fact. Because the river is flowing and constantly in movement, most of the time there is less than one degree difference.
We’ll start right after ice out. On the North Branch it can very from mid March to mid April, it depends. Usually I start after the fear of running into a large chunk of ice is over. The water temperature is in the high thirties. Smallmouths are still in deeper water. Fishing during this stage is fun, but locating them can be difficult, but once you find them the fun starts. Some big fish can be caught at this time, but I cannot stress enough that your presentation needs to be slow. The fish are very lethargic and don’t offer a hard fight.
Once the water warms to the mid forties, pre spawn will begin. This is a great time to be a fisherman. Smallmouth will stage near the shallow water and start to fatten up for the spawn. Some years the water temperature will hover around forty eight to fifty two degree range for a few weeks. That’s good times... When the water starts to warm up to the mid fifties, the catching will increase. Smallmouth move into five feet and shallower to start selecting spawning sites.
Somewhere around sixty degrees spawn will start; fish will be shallow, on out to five to ten feet. Most spawning activity ends once the water warms up to the higher sixties to seventy degrees. Fish will start to move into deeper water to recover from the riggers of spawning.
Take note that from ice out to the seventy degree range, smallmouth tend to be in shallow water. Less than a foot of water at the river’s edge the water will be warmer this time of year. It will hold a lot of baitfish.
From ice out to mid sixty degrees, smallmouth are not hard to find in the river, and are easy to catch. Now, when the water has warmed to the seventies and the smallmouth are not where they were in the spring, it’s the summer slow down. Water temperatures continue to climb; this is when I see fishermen going to deeper water with little or no success. We know now that deep water doesn’t mean cold water in the river.
In summer when water temperature rises to seventy and above things are changing. From ice out to this point, water is clear and carrying plenty of dissolved oxygen. Now all of the plants and algae start to grow. Most water now doesn’t contain enough oxygen to maintain a smallmouth. In the summer you must concentrate on moving water where abundant oxygen is there for smallmouth.
As summer comes to a close, again we need to consider water temperature. Just because the calendar indicates its fall, it doesn’t mean the fall bite is in play. I spoke to a gentleman that took off work to fish the fall bite and the river wasn’t close to that time yet. All of the vegetation that grew during warm water conditions now needs to stop growing and die. This starts when the water temperature dips under sixty for a period of time. During this time we still need to focus on moving water, because dieing vegetation requires oxygen to rot. Once the temperature hits the mid fifties the fall bite will start. This past fall (2010) the fall bite started very late. It lasted till mid November when the water slipped under forty degrees.
It is interesting how water temperature affects smallmouth. Experts say the optimal water temperature for smallmouth is from fifty five to seventy degrees. Smallmouth will feel distress when the water temperature rises to eighty six degrees and will die off at ninety degrees. This summer I noted a water temp of eighty five degrees. On the colder side, smallmouth will be in distress when water temp drops below thirty four degrees and die off below thirty two degrees.
Whatever your target fish is in the river, all are on a water temperature schedule. Learning a little more on how fish react to water temperature will definitely help in your success.
Now that we are aware of how weather and water temperature affect our day on the river, in the next issue we will discuss how dissolved oxygen plays a huge factor for most of the fishing season.
Bill Milheim has been fishing and guiding the North Brach of the Susquehanna River for over 25 years.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Hollenbach's All-Nighter Tonight
If you're near Sunbury, PA, stop by Hollenbach's Bait & Tackle tonight. They will be open all night. Swing by and say hello to Dean.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
PA Starts New Pollution Reporting Hotline!
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has introduced a new toll-free hotline for reporting suspected pollution incidents or fish kills.
If you see any possible pollution or fish kills, dial:
1-855-FISH-KIL (1-855-347-4545)
This is a great way for everyone to do their part in protecting our vital resource!
If you see any possible pollution or fish kills, dial:
1-855-FISH-KIL (1-855-347-4545)
This is a great way for everyone to do their part in protecting our vital resource!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Koinonia Guide Service Susquehanna Fishing Report, 4/9/11
From Koinonia Guide Service:
http://www.koinoniafishingguides.com/
Hi Gang,
The river was at 5.8 with 53,800CF of flow and 42 degrees at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 9.8 with 133,500CF of flow and 44 degrees.
1. Trip #1 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Tuesday afternoon and we fished from 3:00 to 5:00 PM and we boated 7 Smallmouth. The largest was 19.75” and we caught them all on soft plastics. We had 5.8 – Clear – Rising – 52,500 CF and 45 degrees. It was cloudy.
2. Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Wednesday morning and we fished from 7:30 – 10:00 and we boated 2 Smallmouth. The largest was 18.75” and was caught on a tube. We caught them both on soft plastics. We had 6.8 – Stained – Rising – 72,000 CF and 44 degrees. It was cloudy and the river was rapidly rising.
3. Trip #3 Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Thursday morning and we fished from 8:30 to 11:00 and we boated 7 Bass, 1 Fallfish and 1 Quillback. The largest bass was 19” and was caught on a grub. We caught all the fish on soft plastics. We had 8.2 – Rising – Stained – 98,000CF and 46 degrees. It was cloudy.
4. Trip #4 – Guide Trip – This was on Friday and we had two boats out for full day guide trips. They boated 22 Bass and the largest was 20” and weighed 5 pounds. We had at least 6 fish over 18” and we caught them all on soft plastics. We had 10.7 – Rising – Muddy – 152,600CF and 46 degrees. It was sunny raining.
5. Trip #5 – Guide Trip – This was on Saturday and was a full day trip. We boated 5 bass, 1 fallfish and 1 Giant Carp. The largest bass was 18.25” and the Carp was 39”. We caught them all on soft plastics. We had 9.8 – Stained – Falling – 133,500 CF and 44 degrees. It was cloudy.
6. Trip #6 – No Trip
7. We had very difficult conditions this week and our suggestion was to cancel the Saturday Trip but the client did not want to do so. I was pleasantly surprised by our production under such difficult conditions.
8. I recently had some cancellations and now I personally am available for Guide Trips on 4/15, 4/23 for full day trips and I have several half day AM trips available as well in April.
9. Last Tuesday we did a program at a Church and we had approximately 30 kids for this event. Thank you to Bass Pro Shops and PLANO Tackle and Catfish Gold for providing prizes for the kids.
10. This is typically one of the best times of the year to fish for bass. This is currently in jeopardy as the fish commission is considering closing the river to bass fishing in the C&R area from Mid April to Mid June. They have informed me that this decision is based on a Thesis Paper done by a grad student at Penn State. I have read the paper and find no justification to close the river any earlier than the 2nd week in May. Please contact the fish commission and express your opinion. I will be glad to provide you with contact information and information from the paper if you like.
11. We now have our Catfish Gold Punch Bait in Stock. It comes in original and blood and the cost is $6.95 per pint.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LUV THE TUG………REB
http://www.koinoniafishingguides.com/
Hi Gang,
The river was at 5.8 with 53,800CF of flow and 42 degrees at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 9.8 with 133,500CF of flow and 44 degrees.
1. Trip #1 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Tuesday afternoon and we fished from 3:00 to 5:00 PM and we boated 7 Smallmouth. The largest was 19.75” and we caught them all on soft plastics. We had 5.8 – Clear – Rising – 52,500 CF and 45 degrees. It was cloudy.
2. Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Wednesday morning and we fished from 7:30 – 10:00 and we boated 2 Smallmouth. The largest was 18.75” and was caught on a tube. We caught them both on soft plastics. We had 6.8 – Stained – Rising – 72,000 CF and 44 degrees. It was cloudy and the river was rapidly rising.
3. Trip #3 Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Thursday morning and we fished from 8:30 to 11:00 and we boated 7 Bass, 1 Fallfish and 1 Quillback. The largest bass was 19” and was caught on a grub. We caught all the fish on soft plastics. We had 8.2 – Rising – Stained – 98,000CF and 46 degrees. It was cloudy.
4. Trip #4 – Guide Trip – This was on Friday and we had two boats out for full day guide trips. They boated 22 Bass and the largest was 20” and weighed 5 pounds. We had at least 6 fish over 18” and we caught them all on soft plastics. We had 10.7 – Rising – Muddy – 152,600CF and 46 degrees. It was sunny raining.
5. Trip #5 – Guide Trip – This was on Saturday and was a full day trip. We boated 5 bass, 1 fallfish and 1 Giant Carp. The largest bass was 18.25” and the Carp was 39”. We caught them all on soft plastics. We had 9.8 – Stained – Falling – 133,500 CF and 44 degrees. It was cloudy.
6. Trip #6 – No Trip
7. We had very difficult conditions this week and our suggestion was to cancel the Saturday Trip but the client did not want to do so. I was pleasantly surprised by our production under such difficult conditions.
8. I recently had some cancellations and now I personally am available for Guide Trips on 4/15, 4/23 for full day trips and I have several half day AM trips available as well in April.
9. Last Tuesday we did a program at a Church and we had approximately 30 kids for this event. Thank you to Bass Pro Shops and PLANO Tackle and Catfish Gold for providing prizes for the kids.
10. This is typically one of the best times of the year to fish for bass. This is currently in jeopardy as the fish commission is considering closing the river to bass fishing in the C&R area from Mid April to Mid June. They have informed me that this decision is based on a Thesis Paper done by a grad student at Penn State. I have read the paper and find no justification to close the river any earlier than the 2nd week in May. Please contact the fish commission and express your opinion. I will be glad to provide you with contact information and information from the paper if you like.
11. We now have our Catfish Gold Punch Bait in Stock. It comes in original and blood and the cost is $6.95 per pint.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LUV THE TUG………REB
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Susquehanna River Valley Releases 2011 Fishing Guide
The Susquehanna River Valley Visitor's Bureau is releasing a new fishing guide, covering the great angling opportunities in the region. A copy can be requested for free at VisitCentralPA.org, or you can call 1-800-525-7320.
http://www.visitcentralpa.org/
Copies can be requested directly from the Request Brochure page on the website.
Let them know you heard of the brochure from Susquehanna Fishing Magazine.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Koinonia Guide Service Susquehanna Fishing Report, 3/26/11
From Koinonia Guide Service:
http://www.koinoniafishingguides.com/
Hi Gang,
The river was at 9.0 with 114,900CF at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 5.8 with 53,800CF of flow and 42 degrees. The BP was 29.60 and steady.
1. Trip #1 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Monday and we fished from 12:30 to 5:00 PM and we boated 15 Bass. The largest was 18” and we caught them all on soft plastics. We had 7.1 – Falling – Stained – 78,900 CF and 37 degrees. It was cloudy and we had a BP of 30.40 and steady.
2. Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Tuesday and we fished from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM and we boated 10 Bass. The largest was 18.5” and we caught them all on soft plastics. We had 3 at 18” or better. We had 6.5 – Stained – Falling – 66,500 CF and 41.6 degrees. It was clear and windy with a BP of 30.45 and steady.
3. Trip #3 – Guide Trip – This was on Tuesday and was a half day trip and we boated 15 Smallmouth. The largest was 19”. We caught them all on soft plastics. We had 6.5 – Stained – 66,500CF and 41.6 degrees. It was clear and windy with a BP of 30.45 and steady.
4. Trip #4 – Guide Trip – This was a half day trip on Wednesday and we boated 14 bass and the largest was 18”. We caught them all on soft plastics. We had 6.2 – Stained - Falling – 60,300 CF and 42 degrees. It was clear, windy and we had a BP of 30.40 and falling.
5. Trip #5 Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Saturday and we fished from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and we boated 40+ Smallmouth. Our largest was 19.75” and we caught it on a tube. We caught all the fish on soft plastics. We had 5.8 – Steady - Clear – 53,100CF and 42.3 degrees. It was clear and we had a BP of 29.60 and steady.
6. Trip #6 – No Trip
7. The river looks like it is beginning to get reasonably stable. We expect fishing to continue to be good and as long as we have some stability it should get more consistent. Now would be a good time to book a trip to have a good shot at an 18” Smallmouth.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LUV THE TUG………REB
*CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE - www.Koinoniafishingguides.com*
http://www.koinoniafishingguides.com/
Hi Gang,
The river was at 9.0 with 114,900CF at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 5.8 with 53,800CF of flow and 42 degrees. The BP was 29.60 and steady.
1. Trip #1 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Monday and we fished from 12:30 to 5:00 PM and we boated 15 Bass. The largest was 18” and we caught them all on soft plastics. We had 7.1 – Falling – Stained – 78,900 CF and 37 degrees. It was cloudy and we had a BP of 30.40 and steady.
2. Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Tuesday and we fished from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM and we boated 10 Bass. The largest was 18.5” and we caught them all on soft plastics. We had 3 at 18” or better. We had 6.5 – Stained – Falling – 66,500 CF and 41.6 degrees. It was clear and windy with a BP of 30.45 and steady.
3. Trip #3 – Guide Trip – This was on Tuesday and was a half day trip and we boated 15 Smallmouth. The largest was 19”. We caught them all on soft plastics. We had 6.5 – Stained – 66,500CF and 41.6 degrees. It was clear and windy with a BP of 30.45 and steady.
4. Trip #4 – Guide Trip – This was a half day trip on Wednesday and we boated 14 bass and the largest was 18”. We caught them all on soft plastics. We had 6.2 – Stained - Falling – 60,300 CF and 42 degrees. It was clear, windy and we had a BP of 30.40 and falling.
5. Trip #5 Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Saturday and we fished from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and we boated 40+ Smallmouth. Our largest was 19.75” and we caught it on a tube. We caught all the fish on soft plastics. We had 5.8 – Steady - Clear – 53,100CF and 42.3 degrees. It was clear and we had a BP of 29.60 and steady.
6. Trip #6 – No Trip
7. The river looks like it is beginning to get reasonably stable. We expect fishing to continue to be good and as long as we have some stability it should get more consistent. Now would be a good time to book a trip to have a good shot at an 18” Smallmouth.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LUV THE TUG………REB
*CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE - www.Koinoniafishingguides.com*
Friday, April 1, 2011
Kayak Fishing Seminar at Allegheny Outfitters (4-2-11)
If you are in the Warren, PA area this Saturday, swing by Allegheny Outfitters. Susquehanna Fishing Magazine's Juan Veruete and John "Toast" Oast will be visiting and discussing various aspects of kayak fishing, from angling tactics, to rigging, to selecting the best kayak fishing platform for your style of angling.
What: Kayak Fishing Seminar
Where: Allegheny Outfitters, 430 Pennsylvania Ave. West, Warren, PA
When: 1 pm to 4 pm
Susquehanna Fishing Magazine Releases April 2011 Issue
The April 2011 issue of Susquehanna Fishing Magazine is now online. Download this and all previous issues free online at SusquehannaFishing.com:
http://susquehannafishing.com/
Our 14th issue includes great articles, such as Early Season Flies You Must Have!, Rigging and Fishing the Float 'N Fly, Time to Toss a Spinnerbait, Bill Milheim's part three of his Elements series, a review of the Philly flyfishing show, a profile with our own Bryan Wihelm, and more...
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