who's running it? I may jump in

 

Summer fishing is all about finding fish based on the flow.  The river will fish very differently at 7' on the gauge than it will at 1' and both are possibilities that time of year.   My best advice would be to use the search tool on this smallmouth forum.  A number of us have posted TONS of really good information about fishing that river under every condition imaginable.  

11 hours ago, Turkey sandwich said:

who's running it? I may jump in

 

Summer fishing is all about finding fish based on the flow.  The river will fish very differently at 7' on the gauge than it will at 1' and both are possibilities that time of year.   My best advice would be to use the search tool on this smallmouth forum.  A number of us have posted TONS of really good information about fishing that river under every condition imaginable.  

It's run by Kayak Anglers Eastern Chapter, we are fishing from Hunlock to Shickshinny

11 hours ago, thegarg said:

It's run by Kayak Anglers Eastern Chapter, we are fishing from Hunlock to Shickshinny

It's a good stretch of river that I don't fish very often.  

11 hours ago, thegarg said:

It's run by Kayak Anglers Eastern Chapter, we are fishing from Hunlock to Shickshinny

That's a great stretch. You'll find a few islands, some riffles and some rocky spots in that area. I'd keep a good selection of tubes, senkos, and even small spinner baits like a beetle spin on hand. I've also heard people say that Ned rigs work really well if the river is low. Good luck in the tournament. 

Just saw that on that river there is a huge trash problem, like very dangerous, even a rail car was found?? 

11 minutes ago, All Day Fishing said:

Just saw that on that river there is a huge trash problem, like very dangerous, even a rail car was found?? 

Yup. Seems a long time ago there was a mine that was dug too close to the surface. When the mine caved in the water flooded the mine. They were throwing everything they could find into the hole to plug it. Including mine cars, rail cars, household items, you name it. Unfortunately it still is a dumping ground for many people. Every year there are cleanups that are held on various parts of the river. I've was fishing the banks one day when I heard a car stop on the road and tires started rolling down the hill at me. If I could have caught that mo%$@!%^(er I would have shown him where he could put those tires. 

 

That's insane.  Thanks for posting that!

That is horrible, hate to see that!  Start a fishing and clean-up club haha!

Mines really destroyed massive stretches of PA.  The Lackawanna River, a class A trout stream in it's headwaters, can't even support aquatic life in it's lower 3rd because of mine drainage and waste.  The Lackawanna River enters the Susquehanna along the same stretch effected by the Knox Disaster.  To avoid talking politics, I'll let you assume how I feel about mines, pipelines, etc.

not disputing anything these guys are saying but I think what you may have seen on the news lately is what is occurring at conowingo. basically that is the last dam downstream before the Susquehanna hits the Chesapeake bay. all the floating debris from several hundred miles of river has collected above it.not all that unusual for this time of year we had some water that was higher than it has been in several years. it collected all that build up and washed it down stream. the rail car was actually blown into the river off of a railroad bridge below that when we had 60 plus mph winds last week. this area is way below where you will be fishing.

2 minutes ago, padon said:

not disputing anything these guys are saying but I think what you may have seen on the news lately is what is occurring at conowingo. basically that is the last dam downstream before the Susquehanna hits the Chesapeake bay. all the floating debris from several hundred miles of river has collected above it.not all that unusual for this time of year we had some water that was higher than it has been in several years. it collected all that build up and washed it down stream. the rail car was actually blown into the river off of a railroad bridge below that when we had 60 plus mph winds last week. this area is way below where you will be fishing.

 

I saw this, too.  It's up to Excellon to clear the debris as part of their contract for the dam.  That said, Excellon is also responsible for upgrading the dam to deal with the massive silt problems it's created along Conowingo and the upper bay... 

9 hours ago, padon said:

not disputing anything these guys are saying but I think what you may have seen on the news lately is what is occurring at conowingo. basically that is the last dam downstream before the Susquehanna hits the Chesapeake bay. all the floating debris from several hundred miles of river has collected above it.not all that unusual for this time of year we had some water that was higher than it has been in several years. it collected all that build up and washed it down stream. the rail car was actually blown into the river off of a railroad bridge below that when we had 60 plus mph winds last week. this area is way below where you will be fishing.

Didn't know about that. Thanks for the info. 

23 hours ago, padon said:

not disputing anything these guys are saying but I think what you may have seen on the news lately is what is occurring at conowingo. basically that is the last dam downstream before the Susquehanna hits the Chesapeake bay. all the floating debris from several hundred miles of river has collected above it.not all that unusual for this time of year we had some water that was higher than it has been in several years. it collected all that build up and washed it down stream. the rail car was actually blown into the river off of a railroad bridge below that when we had 60 plus mph winds last week. this area is way below where you will be fishing.

Yep, high winds did that but I had guys telling me that there are massive trees flowing down the river around the Clemson island area. The water level went above 11' and has just dropped below 7 but another storm is on the way that could dump a lot of snow. If that happens at this time of year you get a quick melt and the flow goes way up again, it looks like jerkbaits won't be used in PA this spring as all the waters I've seen are high and dirty.

Any of you guys make it out on the river yet this spring?  Any word on water temperatures?

 

I'm interested as well. Will be on the river Wed-Sat this week, Duncannon area.

1 hour ago, Turkey sandwich said:

Any of you guys make it out on the river yet this spring?  Any word on water temperatures?

 

Just got a report of guys catching walleyes on minnows now that the river calmed down. Mostly shore fishing or wading. No sign of the smallmouths yet. Still a bit to chilly for them yet. 

7 minutes ago, Gundog said:

Just got a report of guys catching walleyes on minnows now that the river calmed down. Mostly shore fishing or wading. No sign of the smallmouths yet. Still a bit to chilly for them yet. 

 

I've seen a few pictures/videos of monster walleye, but haven't heard much of anything about smallies or water temp.  I'm hoping to be able to get the kayak out in late April.  

Spent the last couple days on the Susky. Overcast with rain, water has a green tint but clear, temps between 40-43 degrees. Caught 19 Thursday, 20 on Friday. Friday my son and I caught 4 over 20" on jerkbaits. Fished jerkbaits and finesse zman plastics. Heading back next week for a few days. River suppose to rise a couple ft and should put some color in the water, both will be a good thing.

On 3/31/2018 at 7:49 PM, heavyduty said:

Spent the last couple days on the Susky. Overcast with rain, water has a green tint but clear, temps between 40-43 degrees. Caught 19 Thursday, 20 on Friday. Friday my son and I caught 4 over 20" on jerkbaits. Fished jerkbaits and finesse zman plastics. Heading back next week for a few days. River suppose to rise a couple ft and should put some color in the water, both will be a good thing.

 

That's a pretty killer 2 days.  Main stem near Harrisburg?

On ‎4‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 12:29 AM, Turkey sandwich said:

 

That's a pretty killer 2 days.  Main stem near Harrisburg?

Sorry for late reply, I was back on the river this week and don't get a chance to get online. River came up a little too much. Had to find slower and cleaner water. Jerkbait nor swimbaits worked for us this week. The five of us caught over 100 fish in 2 1/2 days on ned rigs and tubes fished very slow. Largest was 20.5", several 19"-20", most in the 16"-18" range. Once the hook was set, they fought hard. Still a mush bite but a few gave us a couple ticks to let us know they were there. Starting to move into the creeks, should break loose any day now, just a few more degrees in water temp. Water was between 40-42 degrees. Liverpool to Sunbury for our 2.5 days. 

I fish the exact area you are speaking about with Mike from Mikes Guide Service quite a few times every year and have never been disappointed with the boatload of fish he puts us on.........tubes seem to be the bait of choice in green pumpkin and pumpkin colors also chartreuse works great........be ready for the occasional muskie

A friend of mine went out with a guide today, said fishing was tough.  The last two hours was in a snowstorm.

 

But he caught a 19-3/4' smallmouth, so to me, that's a good day.

 

Pat

2 hours ago, patred said:

A friend of mine went out with a guide today, said fishing was tough.  The last two hours was in a snowstorm.

 

That snowstorm you speak of is actually a Pennsylvania spring. Wait till you spot our state bird......

I still haven't made it out for bass.  This weather has been ridiculous.  I got snowed on this weekend on both Pine Creek and the Lackawanna.  

Going out on the 20th........will give full report with pics