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 115,700CF at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 9.0 with 114,900CF of flow and 41 degrees. The BP was 30.35 and rising.

1. Trip #1 – Guide Trip – This was a full day trip on Sunday and we boated 5 Bass. The largest was 18.25” and we caught them on hair jigs and tubes. Three of the 5 Bass were 18” or better. We had 10.0 – Falling – Muddy – 137,800 CF and 42 – 46 degrees. It was cloudy and we had a BP of ???? and ????.

2. Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Monday and we fished from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and we boated 45 Bass. The largest was 19” and we caught them on soft plastics and crank baits. We had 9.4 – Stained to Muddy – Falling – 123,900 CF and 50 degrees. It was clear and with a BP of 30.25 and steady.

3. Trip #3 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Tuesday and we fished from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and we boated 12 Smallmouth. The largest was 18.25 and we had two that were 18” or larger. We caught them all on hair jigs. We had 9.8 – Stained to Muddy – 128,000CF and 41-44 degrees. It was clear and sunny with a BP of ???? and Rising.

4. Trip #4 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Friday and we fished from 11:00 to 3:00 and boated 6 Smallmouth and the largest was 18.75”. We caught them all on hair and tubes. We had 9.5 – Stained to Muddy – Falling – 125,000 CF and 39 degrees. It was clear skies and we had a BP of ???? and steady.

5. Trip #5 Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Saturday and we fished from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM and we boated 3 Smallmouth. Our largest was 17.5” and we caught them on tubes and salty spider grubs. We had 9.0 – Falling – Stained to Muddy – 114,900CF and 39 – 41 degrees. It was clear and we had a BP of 30.35 and rising.

6. Trip #6 – No Trip

7. We held seminars on Friday and Saturday night at the Church of the Open Door in York PA. Our next speaking event is on April 5th at a Church in Perry County.

8. The river continues to be in a state of flux. It starts to fall and then rises it warms and then cools. We should get down to around 6-7 foot this week which should really make for some good fishing. We have several dates available this week if you are interested.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LUV THE TUG………REB

Koinonia Guide Service Susquehanna Fishing Report, 3/20/11

From Koinonia Guide Service:
http://www.koinoniafishingguides.com/

Hi Gang,

The river was at flood stage last week and it has been high all week. At the end of the week we had 9.0 with 115,700CF of flow and 47 degrees. The BP was 30.65 and steady.

1. Trip #1 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Thursday and we fished from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM and we boated 50+ Smallmouth and the 19.25”. We also caught a Quillback and a Carp. We caught them all on soft plastics and stickbaits. We had 9.1 – Falling - Stained – 117,200 CF and 45 degrees. It was cloudy and we had a BP of ???? and ????.

2. Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Thursday and we fished from 10:00 to 4:30 and we boated 31 bass. The largest was 18.5” and we caught them all on hair jigs and tubes. We had 9.1 – Stained to Muddy – Falling – 117,200 CF and 38 – 45 degrees. It was clear and with a BP of ??? and Rising.

3. Trip #3 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Friday and we fished from 8:30 to 3:00 and we boated 14 Smallmouth and 1 Musky. The largest Smallie was 19.25” and weighed 3#14oz. The Musky was 41”. We caught all our fish on Hair Jigs and Tubes. We had 8.9 – Stained to Muddy – 114,700CF and 45-47 degrees. It was clear and sunny with a BP of 30.20 and Rising.

4. Trip #4 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Saturday and we fished from 11:00 to 4:00 and boated 2 Smallmouth and the largest was 15”. We caught them all on tubes. We had 9.0 – Stained – Steady – 115,700 CF and 47 degrees. It was clear skies and we had a BP of 30.65 and steady.

5. Trip #5 Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Saturday afternoon and we canceled our Guide Trip due to high winds. We fished from 3:30 to 6:00 and we caught two legal Walleye. They went out of season on Monday so we could not keep them. Our largest was 16” and we caught them on Jig/minnow combos. We had 9.0 – Steady – Stained – 115,700CF and 47 degrees. It was clear and we had a BP of 30.65 and steady.

6. Trip #6 – NO

7. We will be at the Church of the Open Door next Friday and Saturday night. We will be doing a seminar before dinner and then there is a presentation by Paul Blasko. You can obtain more information about this event by calling 717-767-6491.

8. As the river begins to fall we should have really good bass fishing from the 6-8 foot river stage range. We did have a couple stellar days of Smallmouth fishing this week with good numbers and great quality.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LUV THE TUG………REB

*CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE - www.Koinoniafishingguides.com*

Susquehanna River Flooding

For those near the high waters of the Susquehanna River today, please take care, and use caution.

A few photos from Bloomsburg, PA at 0930 this morning:

Fire at E. Hille - Angler's Supply House

For those in the Williamsport, PA area or who deal online with anglersupplyhouse.com, E. Hille Co. had a fire this past week. They are currently closed due to related damages. They plan to reopen in the coming weeks. Please check their website for updates.

http://www.anglersupplyhouse.com/

We wish them the best in reopening as soon as possible.

2nd Annual Columbia County Bassmasters Tournament (June 2011)

Per CMVB Press Release:

Contact: Mike “Chuck” Monico - 570-752-3223
ccbmtournamentdirector@gmail.com
OR Ingrid Barnes – 570-284-4455; ibarnes@cmvb.com

2nd ANNUAL COLUMBIA COUNTY BASSMASTERS TOURNAMENT
AND CMVB FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL

JUNE 18-19, 2011

BERWICK, PA – Columbia County Bassmasters, in partnership with the Columbia County Commissioners, Borough of Berwick and Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, is hosting its 2nd Annual Bass Tournament at the Berwick Test Track Park Boat Launch the weekend of June 18-19, 2011.

There will be cash prizes in the amount of $12,500 for the tournament, with the first place team winning $5,000; and paying ten places. Each day a $500 lunker will be awarded and for all you junior fishermen out there (16 and under), a $100 award will be given on Sunday for the overall junior lunker. Prize money compliments of the Columbia County Commissioners via the Columbia County Commissioner Tourism fund.

There is a 100 boat limit, with 2 fishermen per boat. Cost is $140 per boat and
breakfast, bagged lunch and a free t-shirt are provided. The boundaries on the
Susquehanna River extend from the Danville/Riverside bridge to the Nanticoke bridge and registration forms are accepted through May 14, 2011.

For information and Applications:
www.iTourColumbiaMontour.com/Bassmasters.aspx. All questions on the fishing tournament can be directed to Mike “Chuck” Monico at
ccbmtournamentdirector@gmail.com. Don't miss this exciting event!
For more information on the corresponding CMVB Family Fun Festival, please visit
www.iTourColumbiaMontour.com/Bassmasters.aspx.

Koinonia Guide Service, Susquehanna Fishing Report (3/5/11)

From Koinonia Guide Service:
http://www.koinoniafishingguides.com/

Hi Gang,

The river was at 5.9 with 54,700CF of flow and 33 degrees at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 7.7 with 90,200CF of flow and 38 degrees. The BP was 30.20 and rising.

1. Trip #1 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Monday and we fished from 8:00 to Noon and we boated 8 Bass and the largest was 18.75”. We caught them all on hair and tube jigs. We had 7.4 – Rising - Stained – 84,900 CF and 39 degrees. It was cloudy and we had a BP of 30.45 and rising.

2. Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Friday and we fished from 2:00 to 4:00 and boated 2 Walleye. The largest was 17”. We caught them on soft plastics. We had 8.2 – Stained – Falling – 100,783 CF and 37 degrees. It was clear skies.

3. Trip #3 Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Saturday and we fished from 6:30 to 11:30 and we boated 5 Walleye and 1 Bass. The largest Walleye was 20” and the bass was 15”. We caught them on soft plastics and a jig/minnow combo. We had 7.7 – Falling – Stained – 90,200CF and 38 degrees. It was overcast with drizzle.

4. Trip #4 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was Saturday and we fished from 8:30 to 4:00 and we boated 16 bass and the largest was 19.5”. We caught them all on soft plastics. We had the same conditions as above.

5. Trip #5 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Saturday afternoon and we fished from 4:30 to 6:30 and we boated 14 Walleye and the largest was 19”. We caught them all on a jig/minnow combo. We had the same conditions as above.

6. Trip #6 – No Trip

7. We are at Bass Pro next Saturday so please stop by and see us and take advantage of the great sales.

8. The river is going to 19’6” which is above flood stage so we will probably be canceling our trips this week.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LUV THE TUG………REB

Elements, Part I (SFM, February 2011)

From the February 2011 issue of Susquehanna Fishing Magazine.
To download the most recent and all back issues free, visit SusquehannaFishing.com:
http://susquehannafishing.com/

By William Milheim

I’ve been fishing for forty six years now, and guiding for half of that. I’ve taught both my sons to fish, a few of my nephews, some friends, and even my wife. I love every minute of it! I have guided both people who are just starting and veteran anglers. I can’t say I’ve seen it all yet, but I’m getting close.



I spent over one hundred days on the river last season. I guide on the North Branch. Besides the excellent fishery, it has some beautiful scenery. I’m not blowing my own horn, but my job is to put people on fish... It’s that simple. I wish it were as easy as fishing and getting paid for it. Not only do I have to adjust for my clients’ skill level, but changes in weather and water, and all the other factors that affect a day’s fishing.

It’s disheartening to talk with fishermen who have no understanding of some of the key elements that effect a day of fishing. At my booth during outdoor shows and at my seminars the most asked question is what bait I use. As if there is a magical guide bait. When I tell them what I use they look at me as if I’m telling a tall tale. I explain to them while bait is certainly a key element, it’s not first on my list, and my tackle box has a lot of room in it, as I only use a few different baits and a very limited amount of colors to catch the eye of a smallmouth.

The elements I consider before going on the river are in this order; weather, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, lunar table, bait and bait presentation, water level, flow and water clarity. As you see, bait isn’t on the top of the list. I know the elements I can’t control, but they need to be considered nonetheless. Once the non-controllable elements are met, then I’ll select bait.

The first element, weather, is the big one in my opinion. Weather has a huge factor on a day of fishing. I know the fish are there, yet I’m not catching any. Is it the bait? Doubtful. If you need to place blame, most of the time it’s the weather. In my years of fishing, I know being out on the river as a front is passing equates to bad catching. There are three types of fronts; cold, warm and stationary. Fronts bring in either high or low pressure systems. A close eye on the weather will be an indicator on how they will be biting. If possible, I want to fish before a front comes through. Fish tend to be very active and feed hours before the front hits. Fishing as the front is passing through, most times is slow. The lateral line of a fish will sense the change and makes them inactive. Warm front high pressure has less effect, than say a cold front high pressure. Cold fronts are not a fisherman’s friend, fish tend to shut down. I’ve found the best times to fish are before fronts arrive, and a day after it leaves. Smallmouths don’t react to weather changes well. It takes a day or so for them to become active again. Good days to go out are day two of a high pressure system, or day two of a low pressure system. A good stable weather system is the start of good fishing times. Other weather conditions to consider are wind, rain, and snow. The North Branch (where I fish all the time) is notorious for its upriver drift. No matter where on the river you are, you cannot escape it. The wind blows the boat up the river. For the most part, if it’s that windy the fishing is slow, most likely a front is blowing in. Rain can equate to a front on top of you. This means you’re getting wet and not much luck. Or it’s a low pressure system that’s been around a while and the fishing is good. You’re still getting wet, but you don’t mind as much. Raindrops hitting the surface of the water tend to make fish at ease, as do waves. They will move into shallow water to feed. As far as snowy conditions, they’re just like rain with one exception... You won’t find me out there. I hate the cold!

It seems there are more and more time constraints on fishermen these days. So much time is taken up by work, “honey-do” lists, and chasing kids. It cuts into our time on the river. In my opinion, weather is a huge factor. If you have the time to fit in a few hours of fishing during the week, check the weather first. If you’re fishing time is limited, perhaps by checking the weather you can do a chore on the “honey-do” list, and wait for the weather to be on your side. I’m not a weatherman by any stretch, but keeping an eye on the weather will increase your fishing success. Paying closer attention to the weather, you’ll be able to set patterns and know how it plays a role in catching. The old fishing phrase “a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work,” probably started out from someone fishing while a front was coming through.

There are good days and slow days fishing. Weather plays a roll in it. Next month we’ll look into water temperature and how it links into our fishing success.

Bill Milheim has been fishing and guiding the North Brach of the Susquehanna River for over 25 years.