S8, Ep 52: Hot Days and Night Bites: Brian Shumaker’s Guide to Pennsylvania Smallmouth Fishing

Episode Overview

In this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for a midsummer conditions update on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania. Recorded following a stretch of triple-digit heat punctuated by heavy rain, the report finds Shumaker firmly in prime topwater season, with blue damselflies coming off heavy from late morning into the evenings and the white fly hatch on deck for the end of July into early August.

Shumaker walks through his day-to-day approach on the water: starting clients with a popping bug and a streamer or crayfish pattern first thing in the morning, then committing fully to topwater by mid-morning. On color selection, he leans on Carolina blue Boogle Bugs and smaller blockhead poppers, with yellow still producing thanks to lingering sulphurs, and blue, white, yellow and green all working depending on the day. For the white fly window, he skips realistic dries in favor of a Clouser's Floating Minnow or a small white popper twitched across the surface after dark.

The conversation also covers river conditions following recent heavy rain — both the Susquehanna and Juniata are dropping from a solid slug of water but haven't bottomed out, with more rain possibly on the way. Shumaker shares his theory on why big smallmouth become nocturnal feeders once water temperatures push into the high 80s, and closes with fall booking availability for late September into early October.

Key Takeaways

• How to structure a summer smallmouth day on the Susquehanna and Juniata by starting with a popper-and-streamer combo and shifting fully to topwater by mid-morning.
• Why blue, white, yellow and green popper colors are all producing right now, tied to peak blue damselfly activity and the tail end of the sulphur hatch.
• When to expect the white fly hatch to begin on the Susquehanna system, and how to switch presentations from realistic dries to a Clouser's Floating Minnow or a small twitched popper after dark.
• Why big smallmouth bass shift to nocturnal feeding once water temperatures climb into the high 80s, and how that changes where and when to target trophy fish.
• How to read post-rain conditions on the Susquehanna and Juniata, since both rivers were dropping from a recent high-water event without bottoming out.

Techniques & Gear Covered

Shumaker's summer topwater program centers on popping bug fishing, with a Carolina blue Boogle Bug and smaller blockhead poppers as the go-to producers, plus a yellow Boogle Bug that still draws strikes off the lingering sulphur hatch. Early in the day he'll pair a popper with a streamer or crayfish pattern on a second rod to gauge activity before committing to topwater for the rest of the day. For the incoming white fly hatch, he moves away from imitative dry patterns like a size 12 white Wulff in favor of a Clouser's Floating Minnow tied with a white head and white bucktail, or a smaller white popper twitched across the surface after dark. He also discusses fishing after dark generally as a heat-avoidance and big-fish strategy once water temperatures push into the high 80s and large smallmouth shift to feeding on baitfish and small critters swimming across the river after sunset.

Locations & Species

The report covers the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania, both of which received a significant rain event that pushed flows up before beginning to recede; the Juniata remains somewhat stained while the Susquehanna is dropping into more fishable shape, with additional rain possible by the weekend. Smallmouth bass are the primary target, with the fishery currently in full topwater mode driven by heavy blue damselfly activity and the approach of the white fly hatch. Shumaker also notes water temperatures reaching the high 80s, which pushes larger, trophy-class smallmouth into nocturnal feeding patterns on baitfish and small terrestrial prey.

FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat is the best popper color for summer smallmouth on the Susquehanna and Juniata?

Blue is the top producer right now, particularly a Carolina blue Boogle Bug or smaller blockhead poppers, matching the heavy blue damselfly activity. Yellow poppers are also working off the tail end of the sulphur hatch, and white and green will draw strikes as well.

When does the white fly hatch start on the Susquehanna river system?

Shumaker expects the white fly hatch to begin rolling in at the end of July into the beginning of August. It comes off heavy and after dark, which changes both fly selection and the timing of a day on the water.

Why do big smallmouth bass become nocturnal feeders in the summer?

Shumaker's theory is that once water temperatures climb into the high 80s, larger fish shift to feeding after dark, whether to beat the heat or take advantage of baitfish and small critters swimming across the river at night. Fishing after dark is one way anglers can target trophy fish while also avoiding the worst of the daytime heat.

How are the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers fishing after recent heavy rain?

Both rivers received a solid slug of water and are dropping, with the Juniata still somewhat stained. Conditions aren't expected to bottom out before additional rain arrives, which should help keep flows consistent heading into the following week.

When is the best time to book a fall smallmouth trip with Brian Shumaker?

Shumaker highlights the last half of September through the first two weeks of October as a sweet spot, offering cooler conditions than peak summer while still fishing well for Susquehanna and Juniata smallmouth.

Related Content

S8, Ep 48 - Summer Heat Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Tips

S8, Ep 43 - Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Report

S8, Ep 39 - High Water Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Insights

S8, Ep 34 - Frog Patterns and Fishing Strategies: Brian Shumaker's Late Spring Smallmouth Report

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