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• S8, Ep 48: Summer Heat Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Tips 01.07.2026 8min

  Episode OverviewA scorching Fourth of July heat wave is bearing down on Central Pennsylvania, and the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers are about to test every smallmouth angler's heat tolerance. On this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for a candid, safety-first conversation about fishing smallmouth bass through triple-digit conditions.With water temperatures pushing into the 90s and a 101-degree forecast on the horizon, Brian breaks down how heat affects both the bite and angler safety on his home waters. The Juniata offers some bankside shade thanks to its narrower channel, while the three-quarter-mile-wide Susquehanna leaves anglers largely exposed. Brian and Marvin trade practical advice on hydration, sun protection and timing strategy, then dig into the tactical adjustments that keep smallmouth on the line when conditions turn brutal. That includes a hard pivot to tropical fly lines once standard fly lines start going soupy in the heat, plus a shade-line and riffle-focused approach using poppers, crayfish patterns and baitfish imitations like the Murdich Minnow. The two also debate the merits of an early-morning session versus a late-afternoon-into-dark float, with Brian making a clear case for the latter. It is a short, practical episode built around one core message: protect yourself first, then adapt your tactics to the heat.Key TakeawaysHow to stay hydrated and avoid heat-related risks while fishing smallmouth in 100-plus-degree conditionsWhy tropical fly lines outperform standard fly lines once summer heat sets inWhen to fish for the best results during a heat wave: a late-afternoon-into-dark session over an early-morning startHow to use shade lines and oxygenated riffles to locate active smallmouth during the hottest part of the dayWhich fly patterns to throw when water temperatures push into the 90s, including poppers, crayfish patterns and baitfish imitations like the Murdich MinnowWhy caffeine and alcohol should be avoided in favor of water and sports drinks on extreme-heat fishing daysTechniques & Gear CoveredBrian outlines a shade-line and riffle-focused approach for fishing smallmouth through extreme summer heat, working topwater poppers along shaded banks and rolling crayfish patterns through riffles where oxygen levels run higher. For subsurface presentations, he reaches for baitfish imitations including the Murdich Minnow and Shimmering Minnow patterns. The single biggest gear adjustment for this stretch of summer is the fly line itself: Brian made the switch to tropical lines years ago, since standard fly lines turn soft and sticky once water and air temperatures climb to summer levels. On the sun-protection side, the conversation covers sun hoodies with built-in buff gaiters, quick-dry SPF nylon pants and wide-brim hats as practical defenses against extended midday exposure on open water like the Susquehanna.Locations & SpeciesThis report centers on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania, Brian's primary guide waters out of Susquehanna River Guides. Smallmouth bass are the target species throughout. The conversation is framed around peak summer heat conditions heading into the Fourth of July, with water temperatures pushing into the 90s and air temperatures forecast to hit 101 degrees. The Juniata's narrower channel and tree-lined banks provide more shade options than the much wider Susquehanna, where shade is largely limited to the banks themselves, making shade-line and riffle strategy especially important on the bigger river during this stretch.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhy do tropical fly lines work better than standard fly lines for summer smallmouth fishing?Standard fly lines turn soft and sticky as water and air temperatures climb to summer levels, making them difficult to cast and fish effectively. Tropical lines are built to hold their stiffness and performance in high heat, which is why Brian made the permanent switch starting around July and continuing through early September.How can anglers stay safe while fly fishing in extreme heat?Brian and Marvin recommend drinking water at least every 30 to 45 minutes throughout the day, and avoiding both alcohol and caffeine since both contribute to dehydration. Full sun coverage matters too, including 50 SPF sunscreen, sun hoodies with built-in gaiters, quick-dry SPF clothing and a wide-brim hat, even when fishing in or near shade.What time of day is best for fishing smallmouth bass during a heat wave?Brian prefers getting on the water around 5 p.m. and fishing until dark, rather than starting at first light. A late-afternoon start avoids the pre-dawn shuttle logistics of an early session while still delivering enough usable light to fish productively until around 9 or 9:15 p.m.What fly patterns work best for smallmouth bass when water temperatures push into the 90s?Topwater poppers worked along shade lines remain effective, and crayfish patterns produce well when fished through oxygenated riffles. For baitfish presentations, Brian reaches for the Murdich Minnow and Shimmering Minnow patterns.How can anglers find productive water on a wide river like the Susquehanna during peak summer heat?Since the three-quarter-mile-wide Susquehanna offers little overhead shade beyond its banks, Brian focuses on fishing the available shade lines along the banks combined with oxygenated riffle sections, rather than expecting shade relief across the open channel the way a narrower river like the Juniata provides.Related ContentS8, Ep 43: Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania ReportS8, Ep 39: High Water Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth InsightsS8, Ep 34: Frog Patterns and Fishing Strategies: Brian Shumaker's Late Spring Smallmouth ReportS8, Ep 31: Chasing Smallmouth: Brian Shumaker's Adaptations for Unpredictable Spring WeatherS8, Ep 46: Low Water, Big Bugs: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing UpdateConnect with Our GuestFollow Brian on Facebook and Instagram.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.Think our community is a good fit for your brand? 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• S8, Ep 47: Central PA Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Summer Stream Insights 27.06.2026 4min

  Episode OverviewGeorge Costa, manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, joins host Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for the latest Central PA Fishing Report as early summer conditions take hold across the region's limestone streams. Recorded in late June with the calendar almost at July, this report catches Central PA at an important seasonal juncture: stream temperatures have been favorable in the low 60s following a recent shot of rain, but a warming trend is on the horizon that will require anglers to exercise real discipline about when — and whether — to fish.Costa reports stream temps around 61°F and highlights the key 68°F threshold: when water temperatures climb above that mark, catch and release fishing becomes inadvisable because trout cannot be safely released. He encourages anglers to shift their day structure around this reality, targeting early mornings and late evenings while avoiding midday sessions as temperatures creep upward next week.On the insect front, Cahills and Isonychia (Isos) are active, and terrestrials are working well — Greenie Weenies, ants and Chubby Chernobyls are getting fish to look up. Dry fly action is most consistent in the evenings, with early morning fishing also productive. Trico hatches are still two to three weeks out, expected to arrive in mid-July. Costa also previews upcoming TCO Fly Shop events, including a summer fly fishing festival in August at the Boiling Springs location and a topwater smallmouth bass class with local guide Caleb available this weekend in State College.Key TakeawaysHow to use the 68°F stream temperature threshold to protect fish during early summer heat and plan your fishing day accordingly.Why early morning and late evening are the most productive windows for Central PA trout fishing as summer temperatures build.When to expect trico hatches on Central PA waters — mid-July is typical.How terrestrial patterns like Greenie Weenies, ants and Chubby Chernobyls can keep fish looking up when midday hatch activity slows.Why recent rain is good news for Central PA anglers and how to think about conditions in the days following precipitation.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe episode focuses on early summer dry fly and terrestrial fishing strategies for Central PA limestone streams. Costa discusses the concurrent Cahill and Iso hatches driving evening dry fly action, alongside the broadening terrestrial game that is now well underway — Greenie Weenies, ant patterns and Chubby Chernobyls are all drawing fish to the surface throughout the day. Timing discipline is the defining early summer tactic: fishing early and late while avoiding midday sessions as air and water temperatures climb. Stream temperature monitoring functions as the underlying framework for all of this, with Costa referencing the 68°F threshold as the practical guideline that should govern whether catch and release fishing is appropriate on a given afternoon. Looking ahead, trico hatches on Central PA waters typically arrive in mid-July, bringing a different presentation challenge that favors fine tippets and small dries in the morning hours.Locations & SpeciesThe episode covers Central Pennsylvania's limestone stream network centered around State College and the surrounding Centre County watershed. Wild trout are the primary target species throughout, with the Cahill, Iso and terrestrial hatch discussions pointing squarely to the regulated limestone streams the region is known for. Costa also references TCO's Boiling Springs location as the site of the upcoming summer festival, touching on the Yellow Breeches corridor in Cumberland County. Smallmouth bass get a secondary mention in the context of a topwater class happening this weekend, reflecting the early summer period when bass become a compelling alternative as trout fishing demands closer attention to water temperatures.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do rising stream temperatures affect catch and release fishing in Central PA during summer?When stream temperatures exceed 68°F, Costa advises anglers to stop practicing catch and release fishing because trout cannot be safely released at that temperature. The physiological stress of a fight in warm water can be fatal even when fish appear to swim off, so monitoring stream temperature with a thermometer and avoiding midday sessions is the most responsible approach as summer heat builds.What hatches are active on Central PA limestone streams in late June?Cahills and Isonychia (Isos) are both active on Central PA streams in late June, with evening sessions producing the most consistent dry fly action. Terrestrials — including Greenie Weenies, ants and Chubby Chernobyls — are also working well and getting fish to look up throughout the day. Trico hatches are still about two to three weeks away, with mid-July being the typical window for them to pop.When is the best time of day to fly fish Central PA trout streams in early summer?Early morning and late evening are the most productive windows during the early summer period in Central PA. Midday fishing has been slow, with hatch activity and fish receptiveness to dry flies concentrated in the cooler parts of the day. This shift in daily timing becomes increasingly important as summer temperatures climb toward the 68°F temperature cut-off.Why are terrestrial patterns effective on Central PA streams in late June?By late June, streamside vegetation is fully established and insects like ants and beetles are regularly falling into the water. Costa specifically calls out Greenie Weenies, ant patterns and Chubby Chernobyls as current producers — foam and terrestrial imitations that draw opportunistic rises from fish that are actively looking toward the surface during the early summer terrestrial season.When should Central PA anglers expect the trico hatch to begin?Based on Costa's experience and current conditions, trico hatches on Central PA waters typically start in mid-July, roughly two to three weeks from the time of this report. He had not yet heard of any trico activity at the time of recording and expects it will be at least a few more weeks before the hatch appears in appreciable numbers.Related ContentS8, Ep 42 - Exploring Terrestrials and Summer Patterns: George Costa's Fishing ForecastS8, Ep 35 - From Sulphurs to Drakes: George Costa's Essential Fishing Report for Central PAS7, Ep 70 - The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George CostaS7, Ep 57 - Cicada Mania: Central PA Fishing Insights with George CostaConnect with Our GuestFollow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.Think our community is a good fit for your brand? 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• S8, Ep 46: Low Water, Big Bugs: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing Update 26.06.2026 12min

  Episode OverviewIn this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide and writer Matt Reilly for a late-June conditions update covering the bug bite, streamer strategy and musky gear. With water running very low and clear across most drainages — and a near-94°F heat spike bearing down on the region for the Fourth of July — Matt explains why the current conditions are still worth fishing hard. Damselflies, dragonflies and terrestrial insects are out in force, and in technical low-water scenarios, Matt argues that surface bug presentations become the most reliable path to a bigger fish on Southwest Virginia rivers. The approach requires patience and timing: he describes starting the morning with streamers while fog limits visibility on the flats, then feathering into surface presentations as sunlight penetrates and fish become more active and visible in shallower water.The episode also branches into musky territory with Matt sharing details from a Hatch Magazine rod review he just published on the new Redington Big Game 11- and 12-weight fly rods. He breaks down why the 12-weight's grain window (550–700 grains) makes it function as a two-hander, and flags its all ceramic guides as a landmark feature — the first time a major manufacturer has run ceramic guides all the way up the blank, something boutique builders like Reilly Rod Crafters and Chippewa River Custom Rods have long recognized as essential for musky fly rod design. Matt walks through the aerial casting sequence he uses with two-handed setups — sidearm to tease the head out, elliptical overhead to shoot — and covers the Scientific Anglers Custom Cut line as the tool he reaches for when he needs to reach the upper grain windows.Key TakeawaysHow to build a daily game plan around low, clear water by starting with streamers in the foggy morning window and gradually transitioning to surface presentations as sunlight arrives and fish activate on flats.Why low, clear summer conditions on Southwest Virginia rivers can actually work in your favor, making surface bug presentations the surest route to a larger fish in technical water.When to recalibrate your expectations around the adult crayfish molt cycle — and why Matt saw that window arrive roughly a month earlier than its typical late-June/early-July timing this year.How two-handed musky rods expand the physical and tactical playbook, allowing heavier and bulkier fly designs that single-hand rods can't realistically turn over, while also improving ease of casting for the angler.Why ceramic guides all the way up the blank matter on a musky rod, and what the Redington Big Game 12-weight signals about where mainstream manufacturers are finally catching up to the sport.How to execute the sidearm-to-elliptical aerial casting sequence with a two-handed musky setup, using the Scientific Anglers Custom Cut line's color change as a practical cue for when to shoot.Techniques & Gear CoveredMatt describes a two-phase low-water strategy: streamer fishing in the overcast, foggy morning window to capitalize on reduced visibility and fish willing to chase, then feathering into surface bug fishing once the sun gets up and fish become active and visible on the flats. Damselflies, dragonflies and terrestrial patterns are identified as the go-to presentations in late June for drawing bigger smallmouth in technical conditions. The Redington Big Game musky rods — an 11-weight and a 12-weight — anchor the gear discussion, with the 12-weight designed around a 550–700 grain line window and capable of two-handed delivery; Matt's primary critique is its 9-foot length versus the 10-foot standard he's come to prefer, though he views the rod's all ceramic guide construction as a meaningful advancement from a major manufacturer. On the line side, the Scientific Anglers Custom Cut line is the only SA option Matt identifies for reaching the upper grain windows: you cut the charcoal head back to your target grain weight, leaving a fluorescent yellow running line as a visual cue — once you see a foot or two of yellow at the rod tip, it's time to shoot. Two-handed casting technique is covered in detail, with Matt walking through the sidearm sweep to tease the head out incrementally before transitioning to an elliptical overhead stroke to deliver the fly, a method that makes 40–50 foot casts accessible to average anglers and 80-plus-foot casts achievable for experienced big rod casters.Locations & SpeciesThis report covers Southwest Virginia, with a recent rainfall update noting some new water to northeast Tennessee and the high-country trout streams in that region. The primary fishing conditions being discussed are late-June low-and-clear flows across most lowland drainages, with heat building and no meaningful relief in sight ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. The summer target species in Southwest Virginia is smallmouth bass — fished through a mix of topwater, terrestrial and streamer presentations depending on time of day, flow and light conditions.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhy do low, clear water conditions favor topwater bug presentations for smallmouth in Southwest Virginia?In low, clear water, flats become sight-fishable and fish spread out into shallower zones where surface activity is easier to read and exploit. Matt explains that when bugs are an option in these conditions, they become the most reliable route to a bigger fish — more so than baitfish or crayfish patterns that typically do more work in higher, dirtier flows. With damselflies, dragonflies and terrestrials active through the summer, the insect menu gives fish consistent visible targets above the surface, and a well-presented topwater bug or terrestrial in technical water can outperform power fishing techniques that work better with more water volume.When should you make the switch from streamers to topwater on a low-water early-summer day?Matt's approach is to default to streamers early and let conditions tell him when to transition. On the morning of recording, fog cover persisted until around 9:30 or 10:00 a.m., keeping visibility poor on the flats where sight fishing is the real advantage. He waits for sun penetration before committing to bug fishing, since successful topwater presentations in that shallow technical water depend on fish actively moving toward the fly — which requires warm, clear conditions rather than the overcast low-light window that often favors streamer fishing.What are the practical advantages of two-handed fly rods for musky fishing?Two-handed setups reduce physical fatigue substantially on what is already one of the most demanding days of casting in fly fishing, and they expand the fly design options available to the angler. Matt notes that fishing with a 650-grain line on a two-handed rod allows him to use bulkier, heavier fly patterns that produce different action profiles — patterns that would be genuinely difficult to cast with a single-hand rod. Longer rod length also improves the figure-8 maneuver at the boat, giving anglers a better, less fatiguing lever to trigger strikes.What do anglers need to know about the Redington Big Game 12-weight as a musky tool?The rod's online listing as a 12-weight undersells what it actually is: it accepts a 550–700 grain line, making it a functional two-hander despite its 9-foot length. Its defining feature is that it's the first fly rod from a major manufacturer to run ceramic guides all the way up the blank — a design detail that boutique builders like Reilly Rod Crafters and Chippewa River Custom Rods have long treated as essential for handling heavy musky lines without damaging guides. Matt's main criticism is the 9-foot length versus the 10-foot two-handers he's become accustomed to, but he views the rod's existence as a market signal that major brands are paying attention to where musky fishing on the fly is heading.How do you cast a two-handed rod for musky?Matt's method starts with about a foot and a half of line after the last figure-8, then uses a sidearm sweep — described as brushing the side of a wall with a broom — to tease the head out incrementally, shooting 10–15 feet on the first backcast and adding distance with each stroke. Once the head is out (a 25-foot head in his example), he transitions to an elliptical overhead stroke to shoot the fly line and fly to the target. He uses the Scientific Anglers Custom Cut line's color change as the timing cue: once a foot or two of the fluorescent yellow running line appears outside of the rod tip, he shoots — a reliable visual reference that takes the guesswork out of judging when the head is fully outside of the rod tip.Related ContentS6, Ep 71 - Adapting to Heat and Low Flows: A Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with Matt ReillyS7, Ep 12 - Cold Water Chronicles: Insights on Musky Fishing and Streamer Techniques with Matt Reilly
• S8, Ep 45: Casting Fundamentals: Mac Brown on the Art of the Reach Mend 24.06.2026 12min

  Episode OverviewIn this Casting Angles episode of The Articulate Fly, Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish joins host Marvin Cash for a focused deep-dive into the reach mend — one of fly fishing's most foundational presentation tools, and one Mac argues has been quietly undervalued since Doug Swisher introduced it to American fly fishing in 1971. The conversation serves as both a how-to for beginners and a useful recalibration for intermediate anglers who have been fishing without it.Mac traces the technique to Swisher's landmark book Selective Trout, which he first read at age eight from his grandfather's copy and considers among the most significant contributions to the sport in the last hundred years. He breaks the reach mend down from first principles, distinguishing it clearly from the more complex reach cast: after the casting stroke is complete and the line is still in the air, the angler simply reaches the rod tip to the side, positioning the fly line upstream or downstream of the fly — a movement accessible to complete beginners that can transform a fleeting drift into a long, uninterrupted float with the fly line entirely out of the fish's window.Mac covers the reach mend across multiple real-world scenarios: cross-current presentations through mixed seams, straight upstream casts where the line would otherwise land across holding fish, and long downstream drifts on technical tailwaters. The episode also covers slipping line during a reach mend to extend presentation distance, and the drag-and-drop technique — casting well upstream and beyond a riser, lifting the rod tip to position the fly laterally, then tracking the rod downstream to drop the fly cleanly into the feeding lane. Marvin adds an important tactical counterpoint: a downstream mend can also be used to intentionally accelerate a streamer across a seam to trigger a reaction strike.Key TakeawaysHow a post-cast reach mend positions your fly line upstream and away from rising trout, turning a brief drift into a long, drag-free float that beginners can execute immediately after learning the conceptWhy the reach mend is fundamentally different from the reach cast — and why mastering the mend first removes the biggest barrier to consistent presentation for anglers at any levelWhen to slip line during a reach mend to extend presentation distance, without sacrificing accuracy or drag controlHow to execute the drag-and-drop technique — casting upstream and beyond a riser, lifting into position, then tracking the rod downstream — to drop a fly into a feeding lane without lining the fish or precision accuracyWhy a downstream mend can intentionally induce drag to accelerate a streamer across a current seam when you want to trigger a reaction strike rather than a drag-free driftTechniques & Gear CoveredThe episode is devoted entirely to the reach mend and its related techniques, with Mac Brown providing a conceptual framework grounded in Swisher's Selective Trout and decades of guide school instruction. The core technique is the post-cast reach mend: after stopping the cast, and while the line is still unrolling, the angler reaches the rod tip to the upstream side to buy a drag-free window of time before the current grabs the fly line. This applies across presentation types — cross-stream casts through mixed currents, straight upstream casts where the line would otherwise fall on the fish, and long downstream presentations where only the fly should appear in the fish's window. Mac also covers the drag-and-drop approach, in which the angler lifts the fly line into position from an upstream-and-beyond cast, then tracks the rod downstream to lower the fly softly into the target lane without a direct presentation over the fish. Slipping line during the mend is discussed as a tool to extend reach. Marvin adds that the downstream mend inverts this logic for streamer fishing, using intentional drag to accelerate the fly across seams and trigger reaction strikes.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat is a reach mend and how does it differ from a reach cast?A reach mend is a post-cast rod movement: after the casting stroke stops and the line is still unrolling in the air, the angler reaches the rod tip to the side — upstream or downstream — to position the fly line away from the target zone. The result is that only the fly (and not the line) enters the fish's window. In the case of an upstream reach mend, this technique also buys several seconds of drag-free drift before current tension catches up. A reach cast, by contrast, incorporates that lateral rod movement during the casting stroke itself, making it significantly more complex. Mac recommends learning the reach mend first because anyone — including complete beginners — can execute it immediately, and it delivers most of the same drag-control benefits.How do you execute a reach mend when fishing across mixed currents?In a cross-stream scenario with fast water between you and a slower holding lie, reach the rod tip upstream immediately after the cast stops — before the faster current grabs the fly line and creates drag. This buys enough time for the fly to drift naturally through the slow water without the line bellying downstream and pulling the fly across current.What is the drag-and-drop technique and when does it help for rising trout?The drag-and-drop lets you place a fly in a precise feeding lane without casting directly over the fish or precisely on target. You cast upstream and beyond the target, lift the fly line into lateral position, then track the rod downstream to lower the fly smoothly into the lane — all without the line or fly landing on top of the fish. This is especially useful during Sulphur and BWO hatches on tailwaters like the Watauga and South Holston, where fish are locked into tight feeding lanes and a fly dropped directly on the snout or with line overhead typically produces refusals or spooks. Mac notes that even a beginner can execute this with basic skills, and that you don't need the precision of an elite competition caster to make this technique work consistently.How does slipping line change the outcome of a reach mend?When you pinch the line during a reach mend, the fly lands closer than the initial cast would have carried it. When you slip line — releasing extra line during the mend — the fly travels further from you, extending presentation distance. Mac describes slipping line as the right tool when the holding lie or rising fish is farther out, allowing you to cover more water with the same mend without sacrificing drift quality.When should you mend downstream to induce drag rather than upstream to prevent it?A downstream mend is the right choice when you want to accelerate the fly, not slow it. Marvin notes that when fishing streamers across a current seam — particularly when you want the fly to zip past a rock, undercut bank, or holding spot — mending downstream puts intentional drag on the line, pulling the fly faster across the seam and triggering a reaction strike. This is the same basic principle as the upstream mend, just applied in reverse: instead of buying drift time, you're borrowing speed from the current.Related ContentS7, Ep 60 - Mastering the Drift: Technical Trout Tactics for Summer Success with Mac BrownS6, Ep 93 - Terrestrials, Drift and Teaching the Next Generation with Mac BrownS7, Ep 20 - Practice Makes Perfect: Mac Brown on Mastering Casting TechniquesS7, Ep 16 - Simplifying Complexity: Effective Teaching Strategies in Fly Fishing with Mac BrownS8, Ep 21 - Casting into Spring: Mac Brown Discusses Wild Trout Fishing and Upcoming ClassesConnect with Our GuestFollow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our
• S8, Ep 44: The Legacy of Classic Flies: Allen Rupp's Insights on Timeless Patterns 20.06.2026 53min

  Episode OverviewThe Articulate Fly host Marvin Cash sits down with fly tying guru Allen Rupp, founder of Fly on the Water and Dave Whitlock's hand-selected legacy tier, for a deep dive into the classic fly patterns that built modern fly fishing. Rupp traces his fly tying education back to childhood phone calls with Bob Clouser, in-person mentorship from Lefty Kreh and George Harvey, and decades spent learning directly from Dave Whitlock, explaining why patterns like the Clouser Minnow, the Half and Half, Lefty's Deceiver and Whitlock's Near Nuff Crayfish and Sculpin remain so effective that newer materials and techniques rarely improve on them. The conversation ranges from the upper Potomac River, where Rupp first learned to tie and fish, to saltwater destinations like the Seychelles and the Amazon, where his Semper Fli patterns are now requested by name by local guides. Rupp and Cash dig into why presentation matters more than fly choice (a lesson Rupp learned fishing a single hare's ear nymph for an entire year), how legends like Whitlock and Clouser relentlessly simplified their patterns rather than complicating them, where to source increasingly scarce natural materials like hand-plucked mallard flank and Cree hackle, and which adhesives belong on every serious tier's bench. Whether you fish for smallmouth bass, stripers, bonefish or golden dorado, this episode is a masterclass in why the old patterns still catch fish and what they can teach today's tiers about durability, simplicity and effective design.Key TakeawaysHow focusing on a single fly pattern for an entire season can teach anglers that presentation matters more than fly choice.Why classic patterns like the Clouser Minnow, the Half and Half and Lefty's Deceiver remain more effective than many modern variations.How simplifying a fly pattern down to its essential materials often makes it more durable and more effective than adding complexity.Why choosing the right adhesive for a material (soft adhesive for soft materials, rigid adhesive for hard surfaces) prevents premature fly failure.When to source fly tying materials from non-fly shop retailers like craft and fabric stores.How filling Clouser Minnow thread wraps with resin in a triangle or heart shape creates a fly that is nearly weedless.Techniques & Gear CoveredRupp walks through the construction logic behind classic patterns including the Clouser Minnow, the Half and Half, Lefty's Deceiver, the CK Baitfish, Chico's Bonefish Special, Lou Tabory's Snake Fly and Dave Whitlock's Near Nuff Crayfish and Sculpin, explaining how each pattern's simplicity contributes to its durability and fish-catching consistency. He details specific tying fixes including pre-treating deer hair eye cavities with Flexament before adding Goop and a final drop of Flexament to prevent eyes from popping off, and filling Clouser Minnow thread wraps with resin in a triangle or heart shape to create a snag-resistant profile. On adhesives, Rupp runs a bench of nine different products including Zap-A-Gap in two viscosities, Softex, Tuffleye and various other cements, matching soft adhesives to soft materials like deer hair and rigid adhesives to harder surfaces. For tools he favors Mark Petitjean bobbins for fine thread work and Renomed scissors for their durability and lifetime warranty, while sourcing scarce natural materials like Cree hackle, hand-plucked mallard flank and dry fly saddles from specialty sellers.Locations & SpeciesRupp's tying and fishing roots trace to the upper Potomac River and the Mid-Atlantic region of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, where he learned from guide Mark Kovach and crossed paths with Lefty Kreh and Bob Clouser at regional fly fishing shows. His classic patterns now see action well beyond home water, targeting smallmouth bass and trout in eastern rivers, striped bass at night from Virginia to Maine on Lou Tabory's Snake Fly, and trevally and golden dorado in destinations like the Seychelles and South America, where his Semper Fli pattern has become a guide favorite.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhy do classic fly patterns like the Clouser Minnow and Lefty's Deceiver still outperform many modern variations?Allen Rupp explains that classic patterns endured because their originators relentlessly simplified them down to only the materials necessary for action and durability rather than adding complexity for visual appeal. Newer flies often look more elaborate but can introduce problems like tails that foul on the cast, while classics like the Deceiver (just bucktail, feathers and flash) remain reliably effective.How does fly choice compare to presentation in catching more fish?Rupp credits mentor Brad Yoder with the lesson that presentation matters far more than fly pattern, after fishing a single gold-ribbed hare's ear nymph exclusively for an entire year. He caught roughly the same number of fish as he had with pattern variety, reinforcing that learning to fish one fly in every water condition teaches more than chasing the next new pattern.What is the best adhesive to use on different fly tying materials?Rupp's rule, learned from Dave Whitlock, is to match a soft, flexible adhesive like Flexament to soft, flexible materials like deer hair and reserve rigid adhesives like Zap-A-Gap for harder surfaces. Using a rigid adhesive on a flexible material creates a stress point that cracks and fails after a few fish.Where can tiers find scarce natural materials like Cree hackle and quality mallard flank?Rupp sources hard-to-find feathers and fibers from a mix of specialty sellers, friends who hunt and hand-pluck birds, and even craft stores like Michaels and Joann Fabrics for items like glass beads, foam and embroidery materials. He notes that machine-plucked commercial mallard flank is often unusable for patterns requiring intact feather shape, making hand-plucked birds essential for some classic ties.What is swing nymphing and where did the technique originate?Swing nymphing is a technique Rupp developed independently as a teenager on the upper Potomac by adapting light jig presentations to a fly rod, only to later learn that Charlie Brooks had pioneered the same approach on the Yellowstone River decades earlier. Rupp covers the technique in an upcoming magazine article and credits Harry Murray's writing for connecting him to its origins.SponsorsThanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use ARTFLY20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.Related ContentS7, Ep 66 - Tales of a Fly Fishing Legend: Remembering Dave WhitlockBONUS - Mastering the Beast: A Deep Dive into Bob Popovics' Legendary Fly with Captain Ben WhalleyS4, Ep 150 - FLY TYING REDUX: Soft Hackles with Allen McGeeConnect with Our GuestFollow Allen on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.Helpful Episode...
• S8, Ep 43: Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Report 19.06.2026 6min

  Episode OverviewIn 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 an early summer conditions update on the Susquehanna River system in central Pennsylvania. With late spawners still working through a post-spawn funk and a stretch of volatile weather keeping temperatures yo-yoing between the 70s and the low 90s, Shumaker explains why the region hasn't fully transitioned to topwater mode — and what that means tactically for anglers on the water right now. He walks through his two-rod, split-presentation approach: one angler working poppers toward the banks to prospect for fish looking up while the other fishes streamers, Clouser Minnows and crayfish patterns off the banks for fish holding deeper. If the topside bite isn't producing, both anglers go under and adjust from there. Shumaker flags the appearance of blue damsels as his primary visual cue that the bug bite is imminent — a reliable seasonal indicator that, combined with warming temperatures, signals the topwater game is close to locking in for the summer and early fall. Forage development is tracking normally despite an unusual spring: small baitfish are present in expected numbers and crayfish are progressing on schedule, suggesting the full summer pattern is assembling without disruption. Both Shumaker and Marvin agree that early July is typically when the topwater game solidifies and runs through the end of the season, making late summer and early fall a prime window for anglers looking to get on the Susquehanna with a guide.Key TakeawaysHow to use a two-rod split approach — one angler on topwater and one subsurface — to efficiently read fish mood and adjust during early summer transition conditions on the Susquehanna.Why the appearance of blue damsels is a reliable biological indicator that sustained topwater smallmouth fishing is imminent, even when temperatures haven't yet fully flipped.When to expect the topwater game to solidify on Pennsylvania smallmouth rivers, with early July typically marking the turning point for consistent popper fishing through the rest of the season.How to work bank structure simultaneously from topside and subsurface angles — poppers toward the banks, streamers and crayfish patterns perpendicular off the banks — to cover the full feeding zone.Why forage tracking matters early in the season, and what normally developing baitfish and crayfish populations signal about the summer bite ahead.Techniques & Gear CoveredShumaker's early summer approach centers on a simultaneous split-presentation strategy: one angler works topwater with poppers along the banks while the other fishes streamers, Clouser Minnows and crayfish patterns subsurface off the banks. The pairing functions as a real-time fish mood check — if the topside bite isn't firing, both anglers shift below the surface and dial in from there. Shimmering Minnow patterns are also in the subsurface rotation. Bank structure is the primary focus throughout, with poppers presented tight to cover and streamer or crayfish patterns cast perpendicular to probe fish holding off the bank.Locations & SpeciesThe episode covers the Susquehanna River system in central Pennsylvania, which forms the backbone of Captain Brian Shumaker's Susquehanna River Guides operation. Smallmouth bass are the sole target species, with the fishery sitting in a transitional early summer window as late spawners finish shaking off post-spawn lethargy and conditions trend toward the full bug-and-topwater season. Temperatures are running below average for the time of year — mornings in the mid-50s, daytime highs in the 70s — with additional rain in the forecast, conditions that have delayed the full topwater transition but kept the subsurface bite productive. Both baitfish and crayfish forage are developing on a normal seasonal schedule, a positive signal that the Susquehanna's mid-summer smallmouth pattern should build on pace.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow should I approach Pennsylvania smallmouth fishing during the early summer transition before topwater locks in?Shumaker recommends starting every outing with topwater to test whether fish are looking up, then shifting one or both anglers to subsurface presentations if the topside bite isn't firing. The split-rod approach — one angler on poppers, one on streamers or crayfish patterns — lets you gather mood data on the fish in real time without committing the whole boat to a single presentation.What does it mean when blue damsels start appearing on Pennsylvania smallmouth rivers?Blue damselfly activity is one of Shumaker's key biological indicators that the transition to sustained topwater fishing is imminent. Once damsels are showing, anglers can expect the bug-driven bite to ramp up, with the full insect-driven topwater game typically locking in by early July and continuing through the rest of the season.When is the best time of year to book a guided trip on the Susquehanna for smallmouth bass?While smallmouth are catchable throughout the warmer months, Shumaker and Marvin agree that late September and early October represent a particularly attractive window — fish are shade-seeking and the sun is brutal through July and August, but angler comfort improves meaningfully as temperatures cool heading into fall. Booking windows currently remain open in late July, August, September and October.Why is forage development tracking an important check early in the smallmouth season?An unusual spring can shift the timing of baitfish and crayfish cycles, which in turn affects when smallmouth transition between different feeding behaviors. Shumaker notes that forage on the Susquehanna is running on a normal seasonal progression — neither ahead nor behind — suggesting the full summer bite should build predictably even after a stretch of erratic weather.How do weather and water temperature swings affect the topwater bite on Pennsylvania smallmouth water?Cooling fronts that push temperatures back into the 70s after brief spells near 90 are enough to reset fish behavior and delay the sustained topwater bite. Precipitation that clouds the water adds another layer of suppression; under those conditions Shumaker defaults to subsurface presentations and waits for water to clear and temperatures to stabilize before committing heavily to poppers.Related ContentS8, Ep 39 - High Water Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth InsightsS8, Ep 34 - Frog Patterns and Fishing Strategies: Brian Shumaker's Late Spring Smallmouth ReportS8, Ep 31 - Chasing Smallmouth: Brian Shumaker's Adaptations for Unpredictable Spring WeatherS6, Ep 41 - Smallmouth Secrets and Streamer Savvy with Brendan RuchConnect with Our GuestFollow Brian on Facebook and Instagram.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.
• S8, Ep 42: Exploring Terrestrials and Summer Patterns: George Costa's Fishing Forecast 12.06.2026 5min

  Episode OverviewIn this Central PA Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa, manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a timely early-summer conditions and hatch update. The season is at a pivotal transition: the dominant spring hatches are winding down, the summer hatch calendar is coming online and terrestrial season is officially starting — all critical intelligence for anglers planning Central PA trout outings over the weeks ahead.Costa delivers a full-picture conditions read. Water levels are running a touch below seasonal average, with recent rain bringing some temporary color and a slight rise. Temperatures have been stable but are beginning to creep into the mid-60s°F on brighter, hotter days, which makes temperature-checking a new essential habit for summer outing planning. The hatch situation is in transition: sulphurs are still producing but require evening commitment on sunny days, while Cahills, Isos, summer quills, caddis, size 16 Cornutas and scattered stoneflies fill out the summer hatch calendar. Cloudier days give anglers an earlier dry fly window, while bright days push the best action to last light. On the nymph front, the prescription shifts to smaller, more precise patterns — perdigons and small Walt's worms — as larger attractor-nymph approaches give way to a tighter subsurface game. Crucially, Costa signals that the greenie weenie hatch (inchworm fall) is officially underway, making this the moment to add inch worms, ants and beetles to the summer dry fly box. Shop news includes a topwater smallmouth tying class with Caleb Rebarchak at the State College location, the All Fins In tournament benefiting Clearwater Conservancy and a fly fishing festival at TCO's Boiling Springs shop in August.Key TakeawaysWhy the greenie weenie (inchworm fall) marks the start of terrestrial season in Central PA and why inch worms, ants and beetles should be in your box from here forward.How to shift your nymph game as the major spring hatches wrap up — smaller, more precise patterns like perdigons and Walt's worms become the go-to subsurface approach.When to start actively monitoring water temperatures as summer heats up, particularly on bright, sunny days when temps begin pushing into the mid-60s°F range.Why evenings are your best window for dry fly fishing on Central PA trout water as summer sets in, with cloudier days pushing hatch activity earlier in the day.How to approach the variable nature of summer hatches in Central PA, where a strong emergence one evening can be followed by minimal activity the next — making patience and water-reading essential.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe episode centers on the tactical adjustments required as Central PA enters its early-summer transition. With the major spring hatches largely behind them, George Costa recommends downsizing nymph presentations to smaller, more precise patterns — specifically perdigons and small Walt's worms — as fish dial in to the subtler subsurface fare that characterizes this period. On the dry fly front, the priority shifts to evening sessions targeting sulphurs, Cahills and Isos, with summer quills, caddis, size 16 Cornutas and scattered stoneflies filling out the hatch calendar for those willing to stay on the water late. Terrestrials take center stage starting now, with Costa specifically calling out the greenie weenie as the signal that the inchworm fall has begun, while also recommending ants and beetles as essential additions to the summer dry fly box as conditions warm into the heart of the terrestrial season.Locations & SpeciesCentral PA's limestone stream corridor around State College is the setting for this report, with TCO Fly Shop's State College location serving as the operational center for George Costa's conditions read. While no specific stream names are mentioned in this episode, the conditions, hatches and tactical advice apply broadly to the region's wild trout fisheries — the spring creeks and limestone runs that draw anglers from across the mid-Atlantic for their hatch diversity and technical dry fly fishing. The key seasonal context is the early-summer transition: water temperatures are beginning to creep toward the mid-60s°F on warmer days, which will become an increasingly important factor for trout welfare and fishing strategy as summer advances. FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat hatches are active in Central PA as summer gets underway?The major spring hatches are mostly wrapping up, but the calendar remains active. Sulphurs are still coming off in the evenings, with Cahills, Isos, caddis, summer quills, size 16 Cornutas and scattered stoneflies all in play as summer takes hold. George Costa notes that hatch activity can vary significantly day to day at this time of year — a strong emergence one evening can be followed by minimal activity the next — so working the water methodically and being in the right place at the right time is the primary strategy.When is the best time to fish dry flies on Central PA trout water in early summer?Evenings are the priority window for dry fly action during this period. On sunny or hot days, Costa advises anglers to stay late to catch the best hatch activity, particularly for sulphurs. Cloudier days push bug activity earlier in the day, giving anglers a longer productive window — so overcast conditions are worth capitalizing on when they arise.What nymph patterns work best as the big hatches wind down in Central PA?When the major hatches wrap up, Costa recommends shifting to smaller, more precise nymph patterns rather than larger attractor approaches. Perdigons and small Walt's worms are his go-to subsurface options for this period, matching the smaller aquatic fare that fish are keying on once the spring hatch season gives way to summer conditions.When does terrestrial season start in Central PA and what flies should I have ready?Costa signals that the greenie weenie hatch — the inchworm fall that marks the beginning of terrestrial season in Central PA — is underway now. Anglers should have greenie weenies in the box along with ants and beetles, and can expect those patterns to become increasingly productive as the warmer months set in. Costa frames this as one of the more reliable transitions of the summer season: once the greenie weenies start dropping, terrestrials will carry the dry fly game through the heat of summer.Related ContentS8, Ep 35: From Sulphurs to Drakes: George Costa's Essential Fishing Report for Central PAS8, Ep 30: Central PA Chronicles: George Costa's Guide to Spring Fishing Conditions and TechniquesS7, Ep 57: Cicada Mania: Central PA Fishing Insights with George CostaS7, Ep 70: The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George CostaConnect with Our GuestFollow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.Think our community is a good fit for your brand?
• S8, Ep 41: Offbeat Seasons and Terrestrial Tactics: Mac Brown's Fishing Strategies 10.06.2026 9min

  Episode OverviewIn this episode of The Articulate Fly's Casting Angles series, host Marvin Cash and Mac Brown — owner of Mac Brown Fly Fish and Fly Fishing Guide School in western North Carolina — deliver a timely early summer conditions update for the Tuckaseegee and Nantahala drainages. With the 2026 season running approximately 60 days ahead of schedule, Mac and Marvin unpack what that means for trout anglers trying to calibrate their approach as delayed harvest season closes and technical summer fishing begins.Mac reports that terrestrial activity — inchworms, beetles and ants — is already in full force weeks ahead of its typical July–August window, a direct result of an unseasonable hatch progression that accelerated through spring. The duo walk through the mechanics behind this shift: as aquatic insect biomass declines after the spring hatch season, fish increasingly depend on land-based food sources. Mac's practical adjustment is to fish as though you're two months further into the year than the calendar says, a principle Marvin distills to "add 60 days to whatever date you get on the water."Observation emerges as a unifying theme, with Mac sharing a long-held pre-fishing ritual of reading spider webs and noting dace and creek chub activity as real-time indicators of what's in the system. Their earlier-than-normal presence in early June signals an accelerated biomass cycle and points anglers toward the low-food-chain mindset typical of later in the season.Key TakeawaysHow to recognize when the terrestrial game has turned on using field indicators like inchworm drops, beetles, ants and spider web checks before rigging up.Why applying a "60-days-ahead" mental calendar helps you select flies and tactics that match actual on-the-water conditions rather than the date.How dace and creek chub activity in western NC streams functions as a real-time biomass indicator, signaling the shift toward terrestrial and baitfish tactics.Why reduced aquatic insect biomass in summer demands the same patient, deliberate approach used in fall and winter when the drift is sparse.When to transition from hatch-matching to pure terrestrial presentation after the spring hatch cycle runs its course on freestone streams.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe core tactic is terrestrial fishing with patterns that match what's currently in the streamside canopy and terrestrial zone — inchworms, beetles and ants presented as dry fly or near-surface offerings. Mac and Marvin frame this as a biomass-aware strategy: when aquatic food sources thin out after the spring hatch cycle, fish shift to land-based prey, and tactical fly selection should follow. The episode also references the low-biomass presentation philosophy drawn from fall and winter nymphing — slow-water, deliberate drifts that work when food density is low. Underpinning all of it is Mac's emphasis on observation as a systematic pre-fishing discipline: reading spider webs near the water to identify trapped insects, and tracking baitfish species composition (dace, creek chub) as a proxy for how far the biomass clock has advanced. The approach Mac describes is less about pattern-matching a specific hatch and more about reading the full ecosystem before you ever make a cast.Locations & SpeciesThe episode is anchored in the freestone trout streams of western North Carolina, with specific reference to the Tuckaseegee River drainage and the Nantahala River — two of the region's primary trout fisheries. Mac also references the Great Smoky Mountains Park watershed and the Wesser Creek and Silver Mine Creek confluence on the Nantahala, where his early observation habits were formed during years at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The primary target species is trout, but the conversation gives notable attention to dace and creek chub as ecological indicators — their appearance in fishable numbers during early June 2026 confirms a biomass cycle running roughly 60 days ahead of a normal season. Seasonal context is central: delayed harvest on the Nantahala and Tuckaseegee has just closed, and the transition to technical dry fly and terrestrial fishing is being compressed by an anomalous spring across the Eastern Seaboard.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do I know which terrestrial flies to use when traditional hatch charts don't apply?Mac advises going directly to streamside observation before rigging up. Look for inchworms dropping on silk threads from overhanging trees, beetles and ants in spider webs near the water, and match what you actually see rather than what the calendar says should be active. In 2026, that means fishing inchworm patterns and terrestrial beetles as early as June — flies that in a normal year wouldn't become primary until mid-July through September.Why does summer trout fishing require thinking about fall and winter tactics?As the spring hatch progression winds down, total aquatic insect biomass in the river drops sharply. Mac and Marvin explain that this low-biomass condition parallels what anglers encounter in fall and winter — fish aren't keying on active hatches so much as opportunistically taking what's available. Anglers who bring the patient, deliberate presentations of fall nymphing into their summer terrestrial game tend to see more consistent results than those who keep chasing hatch windows that have already passed.What does it mean that the 2026 season is running 60 days early, and how should anglers adjust?Mac and Marvin observe that hatches, terrestrial activity and baitfish biomass signals are appearing roughly two calendar months ahead of normal schedule. The practical advice: mentally add 60 days to whatever date you're fishing when selecting flies and tactics. If it's early June, fish as if it were early August — heavy terrestrial focus, lower-profile presentations and an expectation that dace and creek chub are already mixing into the catch alongside trout.How do dace and creek chub help you read western NC stream conditions?Mac explains that the presence of dace and creek chub in significant numbers is a reliable indicator of where the baitfish biomass cycle stands. In a normal year, you don't see these species actively competing in the catch until mid-July; their appearance in early June 2026 confirms the accelerated season. When they're catching alongside your trout in numbers, the system's food chain has progressed to a summer biomass profile — time to shift strategy accordingly.Related ContentS7, Ep 28 - Warming Waters and Active Fish: A Spring Fishing Update with Mac BrownS7, Ep 41 - Navigating High Water: Strategies for Success with Mac BrownS6, Ep 145 - Navigating Winter Waters: Unconventional Strategies with Mac BrownS6, Ep 130 - Casting in Color: Mac Brown's Fall Fly Fishing StrategiesConnect with Our GuestFollow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.Think our community is a good fit for your brand?
• S8, Ep 40: Chasing Fish and Seasons: Josh Trammell's Guiding Adventures 05.06.2026 36min

  Episode OverviewIn this episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash sits down with Josh Trammell, Head Guide at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio, for a candid look at what it takes to build and sustain a full-time, four-season guide career. Josh covers the Ohio multi-species fishing calendar — smallmouth bass, northern pike, steelhead and carp — along with seasonal guiding in Alaska and destination schools targeting musky and trophy trout.Josh traces his path from catching his first steelhead at age 11 on Elk Creek with Tim Hess — a swung fly — through early years shadowing the Steelhead Alley Outfitters crew of Greg Senyo, Nate Miller and Patrick Robinson, to becoming Head Guide at Mad River Outfitters and a seasonal guide at Naknek River Camp near King Salmon, Alaska. His guide year spans Ohio smallmouth through multiple simultaneous seasonal windows on Lake Erie tributaries and inland rivers, northern pike during their late-winter pre-spawn, steelhead from November through freeze-up and summer Pacific salmon guiding in Alaska. Josh also discusses the January musky school he co-runs with Blane Chocklett and Virginia Trophy Guides in Roanoke, Virginia, spring trout trips to the White River in Arkansas and his growing enthusiasm for carp on the fly. Throughout, he shares practical, unvarnished advice for aspiring full-time guides on the financial realities, logistics and genuine passion required to make it work year-round.Key TakeawaysHow a young angler can break into guide work at reduced financial risk by starting early, staying local and leveraging mentor relationships before major life expenses accumulate.Why the four-season model — cycling through Ohio smallmouth, pike, steelhead, Alaska salmon and destination schools — insulates full-time guides from unpredictable weather far better than single-species operations.When Ohio smallmouth become the most technically versatile species to guide, spanning crayfish dead-drifts, big early-season streamers, scaled-down baitfish imitations and topwater presentations across multiple seasonal phases.Why calibrating each guide day to the individual client's skill level and genuine expectations — rather than chasing personal hero shots — is the real key to repeat business and a sustainable career.How carp on the fly delivers a saltwater-style sight-fishing experience on Ohio freshwater, with few presentations per day and a high premium on reading fish behavior before ever picking up the rod.Why partnering with a full-service fly shop like Mad River Outfitters gives clients a reliable gear and knowledge resource and meaningfully reduces administrative pressure on the guide.Techniques & Gear CoveredJosh guides across a wide technique spectrum that shifts with species and season. Ohio smallmouth receive dead-drifted crayfish patterns in low, clear conditions; big early-season streamers in high or stained water; scaled-down slim-profile baitfish imitations as flows drop through summer; and topwater presentations during the warmest stretches of the year. Steelhead on Steelhead Alley are targeted on both swung flies and indicator rigs, while northern pike receive focused attention during their January and February pre-spawn window — when Ohio weather cooperates. Carp fishing is an increasingly important part of Josh's warm-weather program, using a methodical visual approach borrowed directly from saltwater fly fishing: reading feeding behavior, waiting for clean shot opportunities and presenting deliberately to individual fish, often making no more than 10 to 15 casts in a full day. The annual musky school he leads with Blane Chocklett in Roanoke, Virginia, pairs a one-day tactical masterclass in predator fly techniques with four days of fishing on the water through Virginia Trophy Guides.Locations & SpeciesJosh's Ohio guiding program covers Lake Erie tributaries and inland rivers in northeastern Ohio, targeting steelhead through the November to freeze-up window and northern pike during the late-winter pre-spawn period. Ohio's multi-phase smallmouth calendar — with pre-spawn, spawning and post-spawn fish available simultaneously across different tributaries in mid-spring — gives Josh an unusually diverse season that stretches from spring through early fall. Carp are pursued on Ohio's clearer flatwater fisheries using visual sight-fishing methods, providing a reliable warm-weather alternative when smallmouth and pike waters run high and off-color. For destination work, Josh guides Pacific salmon at Naknek River Camp on the drainage near King Salmon, Alaska through summer; pursues musky with Virginia Trophy Guides on rivers outside Roanoke each January; and leads spring trout trips targeting caddis and sulphur hatches on the White River near Flippin and Cotter, Arkansas.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do you break into a full-time fly fishing guide career?Josh emphasizes starting young when bills and financial obligations are minimal — shadowing established guides on both working trips and fun-fishing days, learning how programs are structured and how to rig for different conditions. Building genuine relationships within a regional guide community, as Josh did with the Steelhead Alley Outfitters crew, opens the doors to early opportunities. He cautions that anyone entering the guide game with significant financial obligations should plan carefully around Mother Nature's ability to cancel trips and budget realistically for the shoulder seasons.What does a full four-season guide year look like in Ohio?Starting in mid-spring, Josh runs Ohio smallmouth across multiple simultaneous seasonal windows on Lake Erie tributaries and inland rivers, alongside pike fishing that extends through warm weather. He transitions to Alaska for Pacific salmon guiding through early October, returns for a brief Ohio window before steelhead season opens in November and then runs Steelhead Alley through December freeze-up. Winter brings the annual musky school in Roanoke, Virginia with Blane Chocklett; spring opens destination trout trips on the White River in Arkansas; and carp provide a flexible alternative when other fisheries are unfishable.Why are Ohio smallmouth such a compelling guide species?Unlike steelhead, which Josh describes as largely limited to swung or indicator-presented flies, Ohio smallmouth accommodate a wide range of techniques across multiple seasonal phases — from large early-season streamers in blown-out water to crayfish patterns in low, clear conditions to topwater presentations on summer flows. That tactical variety keeps guides and clients engaged across a far longer window than most single-species programs allow. The overlapping seasonal stages across different river systems also mean a thoughtful guide can almost always find smallmouth in a fishable phase somewhere in the region.What is the key to being a successful fishing guide?Josh argues that the most important skill is calibrating each day to the individual client's actual skill level and genuine expectations — not the guide's own benchmark for a good outing. A beginner who lands several smallmouth while mastering a 30- to 40-foot cast has had an excellent day by their measure, which may look very different from a guide's definition of success. Open communication between guide and client about what they actually want from the day smooths out the experience and builds the kind of relationship that generates return bookings.How does carp fishing on the fly compare to other species in Josh's program?Josh describes carp as the closest freshwater equivalent to saltwater sight fishing available in Ohio — standing, hunting, watching and waiting before making deliberate presentations to individual fish rather than covering water. On a productive day with 10 shots at fish, he may cast only 10 to 15 times total, making each presentation count. High-water years that push smallmouth and pike fisheries off-color or out of shape have accelerated his carp development, and he now relies on it as a consistent warm-weather alternative when other species aren't cooperating.SponsorsThanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use ARTFLY20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.Related ContentS6, Ep 97: Fly Fishing Wisdom and Industry Pet Peeves with Greg SenyoS7, Ep 40: Exploring the Carp Game: Techniques and Tales with Corey Haselhuhn of Schultz OutfittersS8, Ep 22: From The Chocklett Factory: Blane Chocklett on Community, Conservation and New Fly ReleasesS8, Ep 24: From Tattoo to Trout: Aaron Chine's Dual Passion for Art and Steelhead...
• S8, Ep 39: High Water Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Insights 04.06.2026 8min

  Episode OverviewIn this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for an early-June conditions check on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania. Recent heavy rainfall pushed both systems well above normal — the Susquehanna approaching 12 feet, the Juniata topping 10 — and Brian breaks down how he's fishing the receding flows and what anglers can expect as the post-spawn transition plays out through summer.Brian walks through his high-water strategy in practical terms: pounding banks where rising water has pushed smallmouth tight to structure, reading fish mood through fly rotation, and knowing when to abandon streamers in favor of crayfish patterns on the bottom when visibility collapses. He explains his color logic for stained water — bigger profiles, darker tones when the water is heavily colored, lighter options as clarity returns — and how he uses river gauge readings in feet rather than CFS to make positioning decisions on the water. The conversation also looks ahead to the summer outlook, contrasting the good-conditions scenario if periodic rains continue with the low, clear, finesse-game reality that sets in by mid-July in a dry year, and confirms that Fourth of July remains the reliable benchmark for prime topwater smallmouth fishing with poppers on the Susquehanna system.Key TakeawaysHow to keep smallmouth in play during high flows by targeting bank structure where rising water has concentrated fish.Why fly color selection should track water clarity — blacks and purples in heavy stain, transitioning to olives and lighter colors as visibility improves.When to commit fully to bottom-fished crayfish patterns rather than continuing to work streamers in severely off-color conditions.How Brian Shumaker uses river gauge height in feet — not CFS — as his primary decision tool for positioning anglers relative to bank structure and grass beds.Why rotating through as many as a dozen and a half fly patterns in a single session is sometimes necessary to crack the post-spawn "June funk."When to expect prime topwater action on the Susquehanna system, and how a dry summer shifts the game to long casts, stealth and finesse presentations by mid-July.Techniques & Gear CoveredBrian Shumaker's approach to high, dirty water on the Susquehanna and Juniata centers on two core tactics: larger-profile streamers fished tight to bank structure and mid-river features, and crayfish patterns worked on the bottom when visibility drops low enough to make streamer fishing inefficient. Fly color selection is deliberately calibrated to water clarity — blacks and purples in the dirtiest conditions, with oranges, olives and lighter tones becoming viable as the water clears. Brian notes he doesn't rely heavily on rattles despite the conditions, keeping his confidence in profile and color adjustments instead. On the topwater front, he and Marvin discuss poppers, Murdich Minnows and Shimmering Minnows as the primary summer surface and near-surface options once fish fully exit the post-spawn doldrums. Across the board, Brian emphasizes a high-volume fly rotation — sometimes six flies on a good day, sometimes eighteen — as the diagnostic tool for reading fish mood under the unpredictable early-summer conditions.Locations & SpeciesThis report centers on two of Central Pennsylvania's premier smallmouth systems: the Susquehanna River and the Juniata River. Recent rainfall events pushed the Susquehanna to nearly 12 feet and the Juniata past 10 feet; at recording time the Susquehanna had receded into fishable shape with good water from the west bank to mid-river, while the east side remained off-color and the Juniata was still heavily stained but dropping. The target species throughout is smallmouth bass, with fish spread across a spectrum of post-spawn recovery stages in early June — some already fully recovered, others still normalizing. Brian's outlook for late July and early August hinges on whether the eastern seaboard's dry pattern reasserts itself: adequate rainfall means prime conditions, while a dry stretch could produce bony, clear, low-water rivers by mid-July that demand a completely different approach.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do you approach streamer fishing when the Susquehanna or Juniata is running high and dirty?Brian Shumaker focuses on a bigger fly profile and adjusts color based on how much stain is in the water. In the heaviest color, blacks and purples are his go-to; as visibility improves, he moves toward olives and lighter tones. He targets banks where rising water has pushed fish tight to structure, while also covering mid-river features when conditions allow.When is it time to abandon streamers and go to crayfish on the bottom?When water is severely off-color and visibility is minimal, Brian moves straight to crayfish patterns fished on the bottom. In those conditions, the streamer game becomes inefficient, and a bottom presentation where fish are holding near structure is the more reliable path to bites.How does Brian use river gauge readings to make fishing decisions?Brian tracks both rivers by height in feet — old school, as he puts it, rather than CFS — which tells him where the water sits relative to bank structure. That reading determines whether he needs to fish hard against the bank or can pull off slightly, and on the Susquehanna it factors in whether emerging grass beds are worth targeting as conditions clear.What should anglers expect from the post-spawn "June funk" on Pennsylvania smallmouth rivers?The June post-spawn period produces inconsistent fish behavior as smallmouth recover and begin feeding more actively. Brian describes it as a rotation game — he may cycle through six flies on a cooperative day and eighteen on a tough one, simply working through options until something triggers a response. Patience and a deep fly selection are the keys.When does reliable topwater smallmouth fishing begin on the Susquehanna, and what changes that timeline?Brian pegs the Fourth of July as the traditional start of prime topwater action with poppers and surface patterns. That holds if periodic rainfall keeps flows reasonable through summer. A dry stretch that leaves the river bony, skinny and clear by mid-July shifts the game entirely — long casts, stealth and finesse presentations replace the aggressive topwater bite.Related ContentS8, Ep 31 – Chasing Smallmouth: Brian Shumaker's Adaptations for Unpredictable Spring WeatherS8, Ep 27 – The Pre-Spawn Puzzle: Captain Brian Shumaker's Tips for Pennsylvania SmallmouthS8, Ep 29 – Fishing in Flux: Matt Reilly's Take on Spring Trends and TechniquesS7, Ep 52 – The Summer Shift: Adapting Your Fly Game with Brendan RuchS1, Ep 97 – All Things Smallmouth with Mike SchultzConnect with Our GuestFollow Brian on Facebook and Instagram.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast...
• S8, Ep 38: High Water and Transitional Fish: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing Insights 30.05.2026 12min

  Episode OverviewIn this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing for a candid late-spring conditions update covering the post-spawn transition, dirty water tactics and the seasonal arc ahead. Recorded amid rising, stained flows on the New River and surrounding drainages — following months of below-average flows — the episode captures a moment when Southwest Virginia smallmouth fishing is firmly in between patterns, and angler adaptability is the only reliable edge. Reilly addresses the dual pressure facing anglers right now: a post-spawn funk settling over fish on some waters while others remain slightly earlier in that arc, and high, off-color water shrinking reactive distances and pushing fish to the bottom. He details how an early crayfish molt — triggered by unusually warm water temps in the low-to-mid 70s weeks ahead of schedule — has shifted his focus away from streamer presentations and toward bottom-contact crayfish patterns on fish that are otherwise visible but unmovable on top. Reilly also previews the seasonal calendar ahead, sketching the transition through a late-May/June baitfish bite, crayfish activity and eventually the cleaner, lower-water conditions that make topwater the dominant game — typically not until around the Fourth of July. Guide availability closes the episode, with Reilly noting his summer calendar is fully booked and early October representing the next realistic opportunity for prospective clients.Key TakeawaysHow to identify the post-spawn funk by its signature symptom: cycling rapidly through multiple fly types with sporadic, pattern-less catches.Why bottom-contact crayfish patterns outperform streamers and topwater when smallmouth are locked down during an early crayfish molt.How to approach high, stained water when flows are elevated but not extreme — targeting the bottom rather than automatically moving to the banks, because fish can spread across mid-river structure when current isn't pushing them to the edges.Why an early summer crayfish molt can pull even cruising, visible fish away from topwater presentations and onto gravel-bar bottom feeding.When to expect the seasonal transition to more consistent patterns: a late-May/June baitfish bite followed by bug-fishing conditions that typically don't fully materialize until around the Fourth of July.Techniques & Gear CoveredReilly runs multiple rods in the boat simultaneously — a floating line with a topwater bug, an intermediate-tip with a streamer and a floater rigged with a crayfish — to rotate through presentations efficiently when no single pattern dominates. In dirty, elevated water he emphasizes making bottom contact as the primary directive, noting that smallmouth research documents a behavioral shift toward bottom-oriented hunting when turbidity increases. Crayfish patterns are the anchor of his current program given the early molt activity, with darker, high-contrast and flashier fly choices appropriate for off-color conditions. Streamer fishing remains part of the rotation but Reilly is candid that listening to what the fish show you — even when it conflicts with your instinct — is the overriding tactical discipline during transitional windows.Locations & SpeciesThe episode centers on Southwest Virginia's river systems, with the New River specifically mentioned as the water Reilly was guiding on the day of recording. The New is described as deteriorating during the conversation — elevated and stained from recent rainfall — but holding up better than surrounding rivers that Reilly characterizes as borderline blown out. Smallmouth bass are the sole target species discussed. Conditions at time of recording include water temperatures already touching the mid-70s — well ahead of the typical early June arrival of such temps — and flow levels running significantly below seasonal averages for the year before recent rains, creating a compressed, accelerated seasonal arc that has pushed crayfish molt timing and post-spawn transitions out of seasonal norms.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do you know when you're in the post-spawn funk and what do you do about it?Reilly identifies the funk by a tell-tale pattern: you start with one fly, catch one fish, slow down, switch flies, catch another, slow down again, and end the day with six wet flies of five different types drying on the boat bag. When that's happening, he leans on instinct — reading the water type in front of him and putting his best guess forward — while staying honest about whether a presentation isn't working or just needs more time. He acknowledges it's sometimes simply tough and you have to grind through it.Why would you target the bottom in high, stained water rather than moving to the banks?When water is elevated but not high enough to concentrate fish in bank-side slack water, smallmouth can spread broadly across mid-river structure — and increased turbidity shrinks reactive distances significantly. Reilly points to behavioral research showing smallmouth shift to bottom-oriented hunting in dirty water. Getting a fly to the bottom gives fish a plane they can reliably relate to even when visibility is poor, and on the day of recording it was the only approach consistently producing.What triggers a crayfish molt and why does it pull fish off topwater?Early warm water — Reilly observed low-to-mid-70s temperatures weeks ahead of the typical mid- to late-June timing — accelerates crayfish shedding their shells, making them soft and highly vulnerable. Even smallmouth that would otherwise be ideal topwater candidates were cruising shallow gravel bars but locked to the bottom, unwilling to come up. Once you see that behavior, Reilly says you have to accept it and feed them crayfish regardless of how tempting topwater looks.When does consistent topwater fishing typically kick in for Southwest Virginia smallmouth?Reilly frames late May through mid-June as a transitional window featuring a baitfish bite (non-game fish like darters and chubs spawning, creating forage) interspersed with molting crayfish activity. Reliable topwater conditions — when it becomes the path-of-least-resistance strategy rather than just a fun option — typically don't arrive until water temperatures and flows settle in the summer, usually around the Fourth of July, assuming conditions don't remain abnormally low and clear even sooner.What does Matt Reilly's fall guide calendar look like, and what should you expect booking-wise?As of this recording Reilly's summer is fully booked, with early October being the next available window. He describes October as a mixed bag: possible hurricane-driven high water and strong streamer fishing, or a continuation of summer patterns depending on the year — but consistently a period when big fish show up in the first couple weeks before his focus shifts entirely to musky season.Related ContentS8, Ep 29 – Fishing in Flux: Matt Reilly's Take on Spring Trends and TechniquesS8, Ep 23 – Low Water Chronicles: Matt Reilly on Pre-Spawn Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal ShiftsS6, Ep 112 – Smallmouth Transitions and Musky Prep: Matt Reilly's Southwest VA UpdateS6, Ep 71 – Adapting to Heat and Low Flows: A Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with Matt ReillyConnect with Our GuestFollow Matt on Instagram.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our
• S8, Ep 37: Big Water, Big Fish: Ellis Ward's Strategies for Streamer Fishing Success 29.05.2026 17min

  Episode OverviewIn this East Tennessee Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Ellis Ward for an early-summer conditions update focused on the Watauga River tailwater. After a dry spring that kept anglers grinding through tough conditions, a stretch of rain and rising water has Ellis bullish on what's ahead: bigger flows, off-color water, and the full slate of techniques that make East Tennessee tailwaters unique. He covers the current Watauga generation schedule (six days a week, five hours of afternoon generation), how that release window shapes a full-day float, and why the combination of streamers, dry fly fishing to rising trout, and mousing after dark makes summer his favorite time of year to be on the water. Ellis also discusses the browns that have been showing up even through the tough conditions — fish in the 24-inch range with a handful over two feet — and a striper in the 34–35 inch class that made it to the boat. The deeper thread of the conversation is mindset: Ellis draws a direct parallel between hunting big brown trout on streamers and musky fishing, emphasizing patience, sustained focus, team mechanics in the boat, and the discipline of forming good habits before a big fish shows. His approach to dry flies gets equal attention, with a nuanced breakdown of how he thinks about hackle, CDC, and the meniscus — treating dry flies as micro topwater rather than fixed imitations.Key TakeawaysHow the Watauga River's afternoon generation schedule structures a productive full-day float that can include streamers, dry fly fishing to risers, and mousing after dark.Why approaching big brown trout on streamers through the lens of musky fishing — managing expectations, maintaining focus, and working as a team — produces fish that pure numbers-chasing won't.How to distinguish the post-spawn streamer fishery (low-feedback, high-consequence encounters with giant fish) from the early-summer streamer bite when 20 or more fish in the boat per day becomes realistic.Why the visual feedback of rising trout makes dry fly fishing a productive mental reset within a streamer-focused float, keeping anglers sharp throughout the day.How to think about dry fly construction in terms of water contact — CDC touch points versus hackle touch points, emerger versus floating presentations — rather than vise aesthetics.When moon selection matters for night mousing on tailwaters and why the hook set on a mousing fish is a fundamentally different skill than a streamer or dry fly hook set.Techniques & Gear CoveredThis episode covers a multi-technique summer tailwater program built around the Watauga River generation schedule. Ellis describes the float structure in detail: streamer fishing for the first several hours, pausing for risers whenever the dry fly opportunity presents itself, then transitioning to mousing as light fades — a full-day arc that demands different focus and mechanics at each stage. On streamers, Ellis fishes seven-weight setups with smaller trout flies rather than musky-scale patterns, emphasizing presentation discipline (getting the fly three inches from the bank when necessary), sustained team focus, and strip-set timing over fly size or flash. His dry fly breakdown centers on how materials actually sit on the water: he favors CDC for its hundreds of micro touch points holding the fly at the meniscus, contrasting it with the louder, fewer contact points of rooster hackle, and notes that many flies riding low in the surface are effectively fishing as emergers regardless of how they look in the vise. Mousing is treated as a patience game similar to streamer fishing, with moon phase factoring into session planning and requiring a hook set distinct from both streamers and dry flies. Ellis also notes bucktail availability through his website, elliswardflies.com, as musky conditions improve with returning rain.Locations & SpeciesThe primary fishery discussed is the Watauga River tailwater in East Tennessee, based out of Johnson City. Ellis also guides on the South Holston River, referenced briefly in the context of his broader East Tennessee tailwater program. Both systems are classic Tennessee tailwaters — dam-controlled flows with temperature-stabilized water that supports year-round trout fishing distinct from freestone or western tailwater fisheries. The main target species are brown trout, with multiple fish in the 24-inch range mentioned and a handful over two feet even through a difficult low-water spring. The episode also notes a 34–35 inch striper landed a couple weeks prior. Ellis mentions returning to musky fishing once water conditions improve following recent rain — a species he has been sidelined from during the spawn and low-water period. The early-summer window discussed (late May through July) is framed as some of the most consistent streamer action of the year, with the post-spawn bite giving way to days where 20 or more fish in the boat on streamers is achievable.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow does the Watauga River generation schedule affect how you structure a full day of guided fishing?Ellis builds the float around the generation window: five hours of afternoon generation, six days a week. This gives the boat several hours of fishable water in the morning before generation kicks in, a streamer window as levels rise and off-color water comes through, and then the opportunity to stay on the water into darkness for mousing as levels drop back out. The generation schedule effectively writes the day's agenda, and Ellis treats each phase as a distinct technique opportunity rather than fighting the releases.How is hunting big brown trout on streamers similar to musky fishing, and why does that mindset matter?Ellis draws a direct parallel: big browns on streamers require the same patience, sustained focus, and expectation management that musky fishing demands. Unlike an indicator rig where the feedback is constant, streamer fishing can go hours between meaningful encounters, and the moment your concentration lapses is typically when a fish shows. He treats large browns the way he would treat a musky — working the boat as a team, identifying specific water to target, maintaining good habits throughout the day rather than only when a fish is behind the fly.What is the difference between the post-spawn streamer bite and the early-summer streamer bite in East Tennessee?Post-spawn (January–February) is a low-feedback, high-consequence game: you may go four or five hours without a follow, but the fish you do see could be jaw-dropping in size, and its appearance has nothing to do with the overall bite. Early summer shifts that dynamic significantly — fish are active, untargeted, and on a good day Ellis is putting 20 or more in the boat on streamers, with the realistic chance that a 26 or 27-inch brown shows up in a session where you've already seen a lot of fish. The two windows require similar discipline but very different expectation-setting.How does Ellis think about dry fly construction for tailwater fishing?Rather than tying for appearance in the vise, Ellis focuses on how each material interacts with the surface. He favors CDC for its density of micro touch points — potentially hundreds or thousands of tiny fibers holding the fly at the meniscus — compared to the louder but fewer contact points of rooster hackle. He notes that many "dry flies" are functionally fishing as emergers, sitting partly in the surface film, and that understanding where the fly actually sits (and what happens when you skate or move it) is more valuable than visual realism at the vise. He treats dry flies as micro topwater, with the same attention to presentation and action he applies to streamers.When does mousing become a priority in Ellis's summer guiding program, and what makes it different from streamer fishing?Ellis starts mousing as water drops and light fades at the end of a float, and he selects sessions in part around moon phase, particularly when dedicating a multi-hour block to it. The technique shares streamer fishing's grind-and-patience arc — long stretches without action punctuated by high-consequence eats — but the hook set is fundamentally different and requires practice to execute correctly. He describes August and September as the window when he becomes "chirpier" about mousing specifically, though the summer program already incorporates mousing as the third act of a streamer-and-dry-fly day.Related ContentS7, Ep 14: The Streamer Playbook: Tips and Tactics for Targeting Big Trout in East Tennessee with Ellis WardS7, Ep 32: Swim Flies and Trout Tactics: An East Tennessee Fishing Report with Ellis WardS7, Ep 45: Navigating the Waters: Streamers and Strategies in East Tennessee with Ellis WardS6, Ep 98: Navigating Late Summer Waters and Mousing Tactics with Ellis...
• S8, Ep 36: Navigating High Water: Mac Brown's Strategies for Stained Conditions 28.05.2026 9min

  Episode OverviewIn this Casting Angles segment on The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash and veteran guide and Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown tackle one of the most practical — and underappreciated — skill sets in freshwater fly fishing: how to adapt your approach when elevated, stained water follows prolonged rainfall. Recorded against the backdrop of a week of steady rain across western North Carolina, with more forecast ahead, Mac shares a framework for fly selection, water reading and presentation discipline that turns a condition most anglers write off into a genuine tactical advantage.Mac and Marvin walk through the core principles of fishing stained water: understanding where fish go when visibility drops (higher in the column, into the kitchen riffles), how to match fly color and size to actual visibility rather than habit, and why the grid-tightening approach — spending two to three times longer per spot and halving your grid interval — is the single most important behavioral adjustment for covering dirty water effectively. The conversation also touches on how stained conditions can work in an angler's favor by masking wading noise and allowing closer approaches, and closes with an update on Mac Brown's newly redesigned websites and upcoming fly fishing schools and masterclasses out of Bryson City, North Carolina.Key TakeawaysHow to position flies higher in the water column when stained conditions push trout and bass off structure and toward the surface.Why contrast — not naturalism — is the governing principle for fly selection in dirty water, and how that logic changes depending on whether you're fishing a deep pool or a shallow riffle.When to fish dark, high-contrast dry flies (foam or stimulator-style patterns in black or dark gray) versus light-colored nymphs in shallow, broken riffle water where the food is actually concentrated.How to use size, shine and sound (rattles) as visibility supplements when natural colors become invisible in tea-colored water.Why tightening your grid — cutting your grid interval in half and spending two to three times longer per spot — is essential when fish can't track a fly from distance in low-visibility conditions.How stained water tilts the odds in the angler's favor by masking wading noise and enabling closer presentations that would spook fish in clear conditions.Techniques & Gear CoveredMac Brown's stained-water framework covers three primary presentations. For dry fly fishing, he advocates dark, high-contrast patterns — black foam bodies, dark brown bodies and black stimulator-style flies — that read clearly against an overcast sky. For nymphing, the key distinction is depth: in deep holes, light penetration is insufficient for fish to see anything, so Mac redirects anglers to shallow riffle heads (what he calls "the kitchen") where fish move to feed and where visibility remains functional in as little as a foot of water. In those shallower zones, he recommends light-colored, small and shiny nymph patterns. Marvin adds that mops and dark stonefly patterns fished with a jigging retrieve are effective for probing stained water more slowly and deliberately, coaxing reluctant fish to commit. Mac references the "Rain X Mop" developed by Jim Estes as an example of a light-colored pattern that works well in shallow riffle water. Rattles are noted as a viable visibility supplement, consistent with the same logic that makes sound important in night fishing. The overarching gear philosophy: let the contrast between fly and water, not the fly's naturalistic fidelity, drive your selection.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do I choose fly colors when fishing stained or dirty water?Mac Brown's core principle is contrast over naturalism: pick a fly color that stands out against the actual background the fish sees, not the color that matches the natural. In overcast conditions with stained water, that means dark dries (black, dark gray) against a light sky, and light or shiny nymphs in shallow zones where the water itself is the dark background. The single rule of thumb is to avoid matching the water's color — a tea-colored fly in tea-colored water is effectively invisible.Where do trout and bass go when water levels rise and clarity drops?Both trout and bass move higher in the water column and position themselves in shallower, broken water — particularly riffle heads and foam lines at the head of pools, which Mac calls "the kitchen." These are the zones where dislodged food concentrates and where there's enough ambient light for fish to see. Deep holes become largely unproductive in stained conditions because light penetration is insufficient for fish to spot a fly at depth.How should I adjust my wading and water coverage in dirty water?Mac Brown recommends spending two to three times longer in each spot compared to clear-water fishing, and cutting your grid interval roughly in half — from, say, two feet to one foot. Because reduced visibility shortens the distance at which fish can track and respond to a fly, thorough, systematic coverage becomes far more important than covering ground. The goal is to put the fly close enough that the fish almost bumps into it.Why can stained water actually be an advantage for fly fishers?Two factors work in the angler's favor when water is stained: fish are less able to detect the angler's presence, which allows closer approaches without spooking; and wading noise is substantially masked by the increased water volume and surface disturbance. Mac Brown notes that he personally prefers fishing in stained conditions for exactly these reasons — the playing field tilts toward the angler who adjusts technique accordingly rather than waiting for clear water.When should I use dry flies versus nymphs in elevated, stained conditions?Mac recommends a dry-dropper setup with the dropper kept very close to the surface — not three or four feet down — so that the nymph remains in the productive visibility zone. Dark, high-contrast dries remain viable in stained conditions as long as they're readable against the sky. Pure deep nymphing in pools is largely unproductive; the better bet is redirecting to shallow riffle water where fish are actively feeding and the fly can be seen.Related ContentS7, Ep 41 – Navigating High Water: Strategies for Success with Mac BrownS8, Ep 25 – The Science of Stealth: Mac Brown on Fishing Techniques for Low Flow ScenariosS8, Ep 21 – Casting into Spring: Mac Brown Discusses Wild Trout Fishing and Upcoming ClassesS7, Ep 28 – Warming Waters and Active Fish: A Spring Fishing Update with Mac BrownConnect with Our GuestFollow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.
• S8, Ep 35: From Sulphurs to Drakes: George Costa's Essential Fishing Report for Central PA 22.05.2026 4min

  Episode OverviewThis Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast finds host Marvin Cash checking in with George Costa, manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a late-spring conditions update across Central PA's limestone streams. Recorded in late May ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the report captures one of the most productive dry fly windows of the year: sulphurs, March browns and Drakes are all in play simultaneously, and Costa is emphatic that the Drake hatch on Penns Creek is just now getting started en masse. Stream temperatures are sitting in the high 50s to low 60s — ideal for active feeding — though some waters like Spring Creek briefly nudged toward 64°F before a cooldown. Conditions have been running low and clear, which puts a premium on precise dry fly presentations, but an inch-plus of rain is expected Friday into Saturday, which should add needed flow without blowing anything out. Costa walks through how light and weather affect timing, advising anglers to fish earlier on overcast days and push toward evening on bright sunny ones. The episode closes with a preview of TCO Fly Shop events this summer, including the All Fins tournament benefiting Clearwater Conservancy and the Bass Thumb tournament.Key TakeawaysHow to time dry fly fishing around weather and light conditions — overcast days favor earlier sessions, while bright sunny days push fish and hatch activity toward evening.Why the current week is the critical window to target Drakes on Penns Creek and the surrounding Centre County streams before the hatch peaks and passes.How to read an incoming rain event on Central PA limestone streams — modest precipitation adds flow and color without blowing rivers out, making a rain jacket the only real adjustment needed.Why stream temperatures in the high 50s to low 60s signal optimal conditions for dry fly fishing, and when a reading near 64°F warrants closer attention as temps climb.When to reach for streamers during the spring hatch season — slow afternoon periods can yield fish even when hatches are dominating, but they shouldn't be your first play.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe episode centers on dry fly fishing during the season's most prolific multi-hatch window. Costa covers presentation timing strategies for both overcast and sunny conditions, emphasizing that sunlight is the primary driver of hatch activity. Streamers get a brief mention as a productive option during slow afternoon stretches or in slightly colored water following rain, though Costa is clear that with this many bugs in the air, fish are predominantly keyed on surface food. The conversation does not get into specific fly patterns or tackle beyond confirming that this is unambiguously dry fly season — anglers headed to Central PA right now should have sulphur, March brown and Drake imitations ready across a range of sizes.Locations & SpeciesThe primary focal waters are Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams — Spring Creek and Penns Creek in Centre County are specifically named, with the broader network of Centre County spring creeks implied throughout. Wild trout are the target species in this fishery, and the presence of sulphurs, March browns and Drakes points squarely to the limestone stream ecosystem these waters represent. Stream temperatures at the time of recording were in the high 50s to low 60s, with Spring Creek briefly touching 64°F — conditions that remain comfortable for trout but worth monitoring as the season progresses. Low, clear flows have characterized the region since early spring, making careful presentations essential, though the incoming weekend rain is expected to provide welcome relief.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat hatches are active on Central PA limestone streams in late May?Late May is one of the busiest hatch periods on Central Pennsylvania limestone streams. Costa reports sulphurs, March browns and Drakes all active simultaneously at the time of recording, with Drake activity on Penns Creek just getting started en masse. He recommends the next five to seven days as the prime Drake window before it passes.How does weather affect dry fly fishing timing in Central PA?Light quality and temperature are the primary variables. On bright, sunny days, expect hatch and dry fly activity to concentrate toward evening; on cold, cloudy or overcast days, fish can be on the surface earlier and the window is broader. Costa frames this as a consistent seasonal pattern rather than day-to-day unpredictability.Should I fish through a rain event on Central PA streams?For modest rain events of an inch or so — the kind typical of Central PA's late spring pattern — Costa advises fishing through it. The streams can absorb the rainfall, may pick up some color but should remain fishable, and cooler post-rain conditions can actually improve hatch activity. Bring a rain jacket and don't cancel your trip.When should I consider throwing streamers during the spring hatch season?Streamers are worth a try during slow afternoon stretches when hatch activity is down and fish have stopped rising, or when water carries a little color following rain. Costa notes that with sulphurs, March browns and Drakes all in play, streamers are secondary — fish will be keyed on the surface the majority of the time.What are current stream temperature conditions on Central PA waters?At the time of this report, most Centre County limestone streams were running in the high 50s to low 60s — solidly within the optimal range for active trout feeding. Spring Creek briefly hit 64°F during a warm stretch, but a cooldown and incoming rain are expected to stabilize temps back into the ideal zone.Related ContentS8, Ep 17 - Spring Awakening: George Costa on Central PA Fishing and Upcoming HatchesS7, Ep 36 - Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly ShopS6, Ep 48 - Rain or Shine: Central PA's Fishing Report with TCO Fly ShopS7, Ep 70 - The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George CostaS8, Ep 30 - Central PA Chronicles: George Costa's Guide to Spring Fishing Conditions and TechniquesConnect with Our GuestFollow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.
• S8, Ep 34: Frog Patterns and Fishing Strategies: Brian Shumaker's Late Spring Smallmouth Report 21.05.2026 13min

  Episode OverviewIn this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for a timely late-spring conditions check on the Susquehanna River system. The frog bite has been exceptional — two solid weeks of deer hair bug action — and Brian breaks down exactly how to rig, dress and present deer hair frogs for surface-eating smallmouth before the post-spawn funk sets in. Beyond the fishing report, Marvin turns the episode over to a listener question from Myles, a college angler eyeing a career in guiding, and Brian delivers a candid, experience-rich breakdown of how to break into and build longevity in the guide game. Brian's own path — 40-plus years as a union electrician running parallel to a decades-long guiding career on the Susquehanna, with Bob Clouser as a key early mentor — frames the conversation in practical terms. The dual-career model, the reality of weather-dependent income, the roughly 10-year timeline to build a dependable client base, and the value of humility with clients all get real treatment here. This episode delivers useful tactical information for smallmouth anglers targeting the frog bite while also offering one of the most grounded, experience-backed discussions of guide career structure the show has produced.Key TakeawaysHow to select and prepare deer hair frog patterns — including applying resin to the belly for proper orientation — to maximize floatation and presentation during the late-spring frog bite on Pennsylvania smallmouth rivers.Why the frog bite window is typically compressed into the first few weeks of May under normal conditions, and how unseasonable heat and weather swings can extend or disrupt that window.When to adjust expectations after the spawn: the first three weeks of June typically produce slower, more selective fishing as post-spawn fish recuperate, though early-spawn fish may already be active.How to build a dedicated leader system for deer hair frogs — an 8-foot tapered construction stepping from 40-pound to 16-pound with a barrel swivel — that turns large surface flies over cleanly.Why building a guide career alongside a stable parallel career is a realistic and financially sound path, with Brian's union electrician model illustrating how to stage the transition over roughly 10 years.How to break into guiding by starting through local fly shops, connecting with independent guides as mentors or attending a structured guide school — with humility and client service as the non-negotiable foundation.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe episode centers on top water fly fishing for smallmouth bass during the late-spring frog bite, with deer hair frogs — specifically the Umpqua swimming frog — as Brian's primary choice, supplemented by green blockhead poppers and green boogle bugs as accessible alternatives. Brian details his prep routine: applying resin to the belly of deer hair frogs to ensure the fly lands face-up, belly-down, and using a powder floatant (such as High and Dry) to maintain buoyancy throughout the day. For the leader, Brian constructs an 8-foot system stepping from 2 feet of 40-pound down through 30-pound and 25-pound sections, then 18 inches of 20-pound, a barrel swivel and an 18-inch tippet of 16-pound — a setup designed to turn over wind-resistant deer hair patterns without sacrificing control. His preferred fly line for the frog game is the Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bass Bug Taper, chosen for its ability to load quickly and deliver bulky flies accurately. The deer hair frog presentation is described as a highly visual game: the fly is watched throughout the retrieve, with the surface eat being the primary reward and tactical cue.Locations & SpeciesThe episode focuses on the Susquehanna River system in Central and South Central Pennsylvania, the home water of Susquehanna River Guides. Smallmouth bass are the exclusive target species discussed, specifically in the context of the late-spring frog bite and the post-spawn transition. Brian notes that under normal seasonal conditions, the frog bite runs from early to late May before the first three weeks of June bring slower, post-spawn fishing as fish recuperate from the spawn. The episode also touches on how erratic spring weather — extended heat waves followed by sharp cooldowns and potential rainfall — can compress or disrupt the frog window and push the spawn cycle off its typical rhythm. These conditions and species dynamics are broadly applicable to any angler fishing for smallmouth on mid-Atlantic river systems.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat is the best fly pattern and presentation for the late-spring smallmouth frog bite in Pennsylvania?Brian Shumaker's go-to is the Umpqua swimming frog, with green blockhead poppers and green boogle bugs as workable alternatives when deer hair patterns aren't available. He emphasizes that the frog game at this time of year is a visual experience — watching the fly, watching the eat — and that having the fly properly oriented (face-up, belly-down) through resin treatment and a powder floatant keeps the presentation clean and fishing effectively throughout a day on the water.How do you rig a leader for casting deer hair frog patterns on a fly rod?Brian builds an 8-foot tapered leader starting with 2 feet of 40-pound, stepping down through 2 feet of 30-pound and 2 feet of 25-pound, then 18 inches of 20-pound, a barrel swivel and a final 18-inch section of 16-pound tippet. The taper allows the heavy, wind-resistant deer hair fly to turn over cleanly, and the barrel swivel reduces line twist during the retrieve. He pairs this system with the Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bass Bug Taper fly line.How long does the frog bite window typically last for Pennsylvania smallmouth, and what ends it?Under normal conditions, Brian says the frog bite starts around the beginning of May and runs through the end of May — roughly a four-week window. Post-spawn funk among June fish and the shift to summer patterns typically close the most productive surface action. This year, an erratic spring with heat waves and sharp temperature drops has made the window less predictable, and incoming rainfall may affect how much of the frog bite remains.What is the best way to break into the fly fishing guide profession?Brian recommends starting by approaching local fly shops about guide training opportunities, or connecting with established independent guides who may be willing to take on a mentee. Guide schools — typically two-week programs often run in the West — provide certification that carries weight with outfitters. The most important qualities, in Brian's experience, are humility and a genuine commitment to the client experience. He credits Bob Clouser as a critical mentor in his own career, while acknowledging that not everyone will have access to that level of mentorship.How long does it realistically take to build a viable guiding career, and how do you manage financial risk along the way?Brian's honest answer is about 10 years to build a client base substantial enough to feel comfortable leaving a parallel career for the guiding season. He ran a union electrician career alongside his guiding work for decades, which gave him the flexibility to ramp up guiding progressively without the full financial exposure of going all-in immediately. He compares guiding to farming in terms of weather dependency — wet springs, low summer flows and drought conditions can all eliminate weeks of booked trips — and emphasizes that the income risk is real and not suited to everyone.Related ContentS8, Ep 31: Chasing Smallmouth: Brian Shumaker's Adaptations for Unpredictable Spring WeatherS8, Ep 27: The Pre-Spawn Puzzle: Captain Brian Shumaker's Tips for Pennsylvania SmallmouthS1, Ep 97: All Things Smallmouth with Mike SchultzS7, Ep 33: Nut Jobs and Chimichangas: A PA Smallmouth Update with Brendan RuchConnect with Our GuestFollow Brian on Facebook and Instagram.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our
• S8, Ep 33: Tying Tradition: Jason Taylor's Journey Through the Art of Fly Tying 15.05.2026 57min

  This episode we speak with fly tier Jason Taylor about his fishing background and how he came to fly fishing later in life. He shares early memories of fishing with his father at a farm pond in Virginia and spending time on his uncle’s party boat near the Chesapeake Bay before getting into fly fishing after planning a trip to Belize. We discuss how local fly shops and online forums helped shape his development. Jason talks about early guidance from people at TCO, especially Steve Spurgeon, and about meeting and learning from tyers such as Bob Popovics and David Nelson through forums and at shows. He describes those communities as important places for sharing ideas and techniques. Jason also explains his tying philosophy. He emphasizes purpose, efficiency, and using the least material needed to make a fly work. He says he approaches patterns by thinking about the final result first and working backward, and he prefers natural materials because they slow him down and fit his style. A major part of the conversation focuses on hollow flies and related streamers. Jason talks about why the hollow-fly platform is adaptable, how he has modified patterns with materials such as ostrich, and how he uses brushes in some designs to save time. He also discusses his ideas about fly movement, buoyancy, and the role of profile in getting effective patterns for different species. We finish with practical tying advice and material selection. Jason shares tips on using Crazy Glue on thread, cutting bucktail before tying it in, and choosing soft, kinky bucktail and finer ostrich. He also mentions tools he keeps at the bench, materials he is experimenting with, and shows where he appears, including Edison and occasional regional events.
• S8, Ep 32: Spring Fishing Unlocked: Mac Brown's Tips for Targeting Elementary and Graduate School Fish 13.05.2026 10min

  Episode OverviewIn this Casting Angles episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Master Casting Instructor and veteran Western North Carolina guide Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish in Bryson City for a timely mid-May conditions update on the Tuckasegee River. With the delayed harvest season winding down and roughly three weeks left to fish the DH water, Mac and Marvin break down exactly what anglers are up against — and how to read it correctly. The Tuck is running well below its seasonal average at roughly 400–500 cfs compared to a normal 1,600–1,800 cfs, but recent rainfall and cooler temperatures are providing a welcome reprieve from what has been a difficult spring across the mid-Atlantic and southern Appalachians. The episode centers on one of the most practical and underappreciated skills in trout fishing: learning to distinguish between freshly stocked fish and the educated holdover and lake-run trout that share the same water — and adjusting technique and fly selection accordingly. Mac walks through his system for identifying fish by their behavior and location, his nymphing rig progressions through the day, and why moving away from indicators is no longer optional in low, clear water.Key TakeawaysHow to identify stocked versus holdover and lake-run trout on the Tuckasegee by using stocking truck access points and "junk food" fly response as a quick field diagnostic.Why fishing a natural-colored anchor pattern like a Walt's Worm in the morning and transitioning to smaller flies as the day progresses is Mac's preferred nymphing progression in low, clear water.How to position a small nymph pattern on the dropper or point depending on whether fish appear to be feeding higher in the column or holding deep.Why using a large sacrificial dry fly — a Parachute Adams, Stimulator or Elk Hair Caddis — as a sight indicator for a trailing small dry creates a "training wheels" system for less experienced dry fly anglers targeting educated fish on size 18–20 patterns and smaller.How marking your fly line or leader with small foam indicators or competition nymphing wax lets you track takes by watching for changes in the alignment of the indicators or wax marks.Why fishing indicator-free with a longer leader at low water is increasingly critical as DH fish become conditioned to suspension devices.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe episode focuses primarily on indicator-free and low-profile presentation techniques for technical low-water trout fishing. Mac's core nymphing approach involves a natural-colored anchor fly paired with a very small midge or emerger, with dropper or point placement adjusted based on where fish appear to be in the water column. For dry fly fishing, both Mac and Marvin advocate a sacrificial large attractor — Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator — with a size 18–20 smaller pattern that fish are actually eating trailed 12–14 inches behind; they call the large fly "the sacrificial fly" for a reason: it never gets eaten, it just helps anglers locate their small fly. As an alternative to a sacrificial dry, Marvin recommends marking the fly line or leader with foam stick-ons or nymphing wax and watching for the indicator marking to straighten on the take. Mac confirms that big bobber rigs and streamers are the wrong tools when PhD fish are locked into size 20–24 midges and blue-winged olive emergers.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do I tell whether I'm fishing to freshly stocked trout or educated holdover fish on the Tuckasegee?Mac's field diagnostic starts with geography: on the Tuck, stocking trucks can only access about five specific pullouts on the narrow gravel road, so fish podded up near those locations are almost certainly recent stockers. Fish holding far from those access points in less obvious water are likely holdovers or lake-run trout. A second confirmation: throw a "junk food" fly — a bright attractor or gaudy nymph — through a riffle. If you're getting easy eats, those are the new fish. PhD fish feeding on size 20–24 midges will ignore streamers and big rigs entirely.When should I use an indicator versus fishing indicator-free on low, clear water?Mac's view is unambiguous: in low, clear conditions — especially late in the DH season when fish have been seeing indicators for weeks — suspension devices hurt your results more than they help. He prefers a longer leader setup, tracking the nail knot or line end visually, and fishing emerger patterns just an inch or two under the film. The mechanics of detecting a subtle take watching the line end are no different from detecting takes when tight-line nymphing subsurface. Marvin adds that marking the leader with foam indicators or competition wax gives less experienced anglers a visual reference without the wake and shadow of a traditional indicator.What is the "sacrificial fly" system for small dry fly fishing?The idea is to rig a large, highly visible attractor — a Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis or Stimulator — with a small dry fly (size 18–20 or smaller) trailed 12–14 inches behind it. The big fly never gets eaten by selective fish; it simply anchors your eye to where the small fly roughly is. When a fish rises anywhere near the attractor's position, lift — hook sets are free. Mac notes that after hundreds of drifts through the same run, not one fish ate the big fly, but many took the small trailer. It functions as training wheels for anglers who aren't yet comfortable tracking a size 20 dry without a reference point.How do I adjust fly placement between dropper and point position when nymphing small nymphs?Mac adjusts this through the day based on where he believes fish are holding and feeding. Early in the morning when fish are likely still deeper, he puts the small fly on the point so it sinks further. As conditions warm and light increases — and as fish move toward emerging insect activity — he moves the small fly up to the dropper position, higher in the water column to intercept fish feeding near the surface. This single rig adjustment tracks fish behavior as the day progresses without changing the entire setup.What are current Tuckasegee River conditions and how long does the delayed harvest season last?Recorded approximately 10–11 days into May, this episode describes the Tuck running at roughly 400–500 cfs — significantly below its seasonal average of 1,600–1,800 cfs. Recent rainfall and cooler overnight temperatures (upper 30s) are providing relief. DH fish remain in the water until the first Saturday of June, giving anglers roughly three weeks from the recording date to target them. A fresh stocking round has been completed, so both new fish and conditioned holdovers are present simultaneously.Related ContentS8, Ep 25: The Science of Stealth: Mac Brown on Fishing Techniques for Low Flow ScenariosS7, Ep 88: Low Water, Big Adjustments: Mac Brown's Essential Tips for Fall Fishing SuccessS7, Ep 41: Navigating High Water: Strategies for Success with Mac BrownS7, Ep 28: Warming Waters and Active Fish: A Spring Fishing Update with Mac BrownS6, Ep 145: Navigating Winter Waters: Unconventional Strategies with Mac BrownConnect with Our GuestFollow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about...
• S8, Ep 31: Chasing Smallmouth: Brian Shumaker's Adaptations for Unpredictable Spring Weather 07.05.2026 7min

  Episode OverviewThe Articulate Fly's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report returns with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides, delivering a timely mid-spring conditions update for the Susquehanna River system in Central Pennsylvania. This episode cuts straight to the practical challenge facing every Mid-Atlantic smallmouth angler right now: how to fish effectively when an extreme pattern of temperature swings — 80°F one day, back to the 50s by mid-week — is compressing and disrupting the spawn, locking fish down unpredictably, and keeping the frog bite from ever materializing. Brian, a veteran guide with over three decades on the Susquehanna, breaks down how he approaches these volatile conditions with clients, from the diagnostic logic of starting with yesterday's best fly and quickly reading fish mood, to the deeper strategic pivot of going subsurface on intermediate lines when topwater won't produce. He also touches on where the spawn currently stands — with the first wave already pushing some fish into early post-spawn funk — and what anglers can expect as conditions hopefully stabilize heading toward summer. For anyone planning time on Pennsylvania smallmouth water this spring, Brian's approach to grinding through difficult conditions with a rotating bench of swim flies and crayfish patterns offers both tactical and mental frameworks worth internalizing.Key TakeawaysHow to use yesterday's producing fly as a quick diagnostic starting point and pivot efficiently to Plan B when conditions have shifted overnight.Why slowing retrieve speed and fishing deeper are the first two adjustments to make when dropping temperatures cause smallmouth to lock jaw.How intermediate sink lines provide a versatile middle ground that keeps flies in the strike zone when topwater conditions are marginal.When to rotate through a broad multi-pattern bench — swim flies, Half-and-Halfs, Clousers and crayfish patterns — rather than forcing a single presentation in unpredictable spring conditions.Why crayfish patterns like the Clawdad are producing when stomach content checks confirm fish are actively keying on crayfish as a primary food source.How the unusual spring temperature volatility in Central PA is producing an early post-spawn funk in first-wave fish while later-wave spawners are still active, creating a mixed-mood fishery that demands adaptable tactics.Techniques & Gear CoveredBrian's current approach centers on intermediate sink lines as the primary tool for getting flies into the strike zone. From there, he runs a rotating bench of approximately a dozen patterns, starting with Clousers, swim flies and Half-and-Halfs and moving through the progression until something sticks — a systematic elimination approach that reflects hard-earned guiding experience in variable conditions. When temperatures drop and fish go passive, he leads with slower presentations before working up to more active retrieves. Crayfish imitations have been particularly productive, with Brian noting that fish are showing crayfish in their gullets on inspection — a data point that drives fly selection rather than guesswork. He specifically mentions patterns in the Clawdad-style that can be fished up off the bottom and animated to mimic a fleeing crayfish. Topwater setups remain rigged as a secondary option for afternoon sessions, with Brian noting that conditions like a sulphur hatch could still prompt fish to look up even in an otherwise subsurface day.Locations & SpeciesThe episode focuses on the Susquehanna River system in Central Pennsylvania, the fishery Brian has guided exclusively since founding Susquehanna River Guides in 1993. The Susquehanna is a fertile limestone river renowned for one of the strongest wild smallmouth bass fisheries in the eastern United States, characterized by rock ledges, wide shallow riffles and abundant crayfish and aquatic insect life. Target species is exclusively smallmouth bass throughout this report. The episode is recorded during the mid-spring spawn window, with Brian projecting that spawning activity on his water will wrap up around the third week of May and that some first-wave fish are already showing early post-spawn behavioral funk — while later-wave fish are still active and available. The unusual temperature volatility this spring is affecting fish behavior across the entire east coast smallmouth fishery, not just the Susquehanna, making Brian's adaptable mid-spring approach broadly applicable.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do you adapt your fly fishing approach when spring temperatures swing wildly day to day?Brian starts each session by testing what produced the day before — that gives a quick read on whether conditions have shifted. If that approach fails early, he moves to Plan B: slowing retrieve speed, going deeper and working through a systematic rotation of patterns until he finds something that matches the fish's current mood. The key is staying flexible rather than committing to a single technique.What fly line setups are most effective for Pennsylvania smallmouth in cold or variable spring conditions?Intermediate sink lines are Brian's primary tool right now, allowing him to keep flies subsurface without anchoring them to the bottom. Topwater rigs stay on deck for afternoon sessions as a speculative option, particularly when hatches are occurring. In colder conditions, he prioritizes slower patterns and quieter presentations before working up to more active swim fly retrieves.Why are crayfish fly patterns so effective for spring smallmouth bass fishing?Stomach content checks on the Susquehanna are showing fish actively feeding on crayfish, making imitative patterns a data-driven choice rather than a hunch. Patterns that can be fished up off the bottom and animated to simulate a fleeing crayfish — rather than dragged along bottom and snagged — are producing best because they remain accessible to fish holding at a range of depths.When does the smallmouth spawn typically wrap up on the Susquehanna River in Central PA?Under normal conditions, Brian expects spawning to be largely complete by the third week of May on his water. This spring's extreme temperature swings compressed the front end of the spawn but have also extended and complicated the overall picture, with first-wave fish already showing post-spawn behavior while later fish are still in the spawn cycle — creating a mixed-mood fishery that is more difficult to read than a typical spring.What should anglers expect after the spawn in terms of fish behavior and fishing quality?The post-spawn funk is real — fish that have completed spawning become temporarily lethargic and difficult to catch. Brian describes a brief early version of this pattern already affecting first-wave fish on his water. The good news is that once temperatures stabilize, fish typically come around quickly and the summer bite — including the anticipated frog bite and topwater action — can be excellent on the Susquehanna.Related ContentS8, Ep 27: The Pre-Spawn Puzzle: Captain Brian Shumaker's Tips for Pennsylvania SmallmouthS8, Ep 23: Low Water Chronicles: Matt Reilly on Pre-Spawn Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal ShiftsS6, Ep 41: Smallmouth Secrets and Streamer Savvy with Brendan RuchS1, Ep 97: All Things Smallmouth with Mike SchultzConnect with Our GuestFollow Brian on Facebook and Instagram.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If...
• S8, Ep 30: Central PA Chronicles: George Costa's Guide to Spring Fishing Conditions and Techniques 02.05.2026 5min

  Episode OverviewIn this Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa, manager at TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a real-time spring conditions update. With prime season fully underway, Costa delivers an encouraging picture across Central PA's limestone stream corridor: water levels are running near seasonal averages, a minor push of off-color water on the Juniata is clearing, and the hatch activity is firing on multiple fronts simultaneously. Sulphurs are coming up on Spring Creek with Penns Creek and Fishing Creek close behind; March browns, blue-winged olives, tan caddis, little black caddis and a few brown stones are all in play. Costa advises carrying a wide variety of dry fly and nymph patterns to dial in what individual fish want on a given day — a critical tactical point during a period when presentations can shift from a size-20 olive nymph to a size-12 jig between sessions. With cooler temperatures and overcast skies pushing the best dry fly action into the afternoon, he notes that warmer, brighter days ahead will shift peak hatch windows toward evening. For anglers ready to strike while the iron is hot, Costa is emphatic: this next month represents the best fishing of the year in Central PA, and the window before summer low-water conditions close in is narrow.Key TakeawaysHow to carry and rotate a broad pattern selection — dry flies, nymphs and streamers — to match the fast-changing multi-hatch conditions of Central PA's peak spring season.Why afternoon currently outperforms morning sessions on days with cooler temperatures and overcast skies, and when to expect that window to shift toward evening as conditions warm.When to reach for streamers even during prime dry fly season — particularly after rain events add color to the water.How to use attractor-style Euro jig nymphs (Frenchies and similar patterns) as a consistent fallback when dry fly activity isn't dialed in.Why the next four to six weeks represent the peak fishing window of the year in Central PA — and how summer low-water and rising temperatures will close that window by mid-to-late June.Techniques & Gear CoveredGeorge Costa covers a multi-technique spring approach anchored by dry fly fishing during active afternoon hatch windows, with Euro-style nymphing as the go-to when surface activity is absent. On the dry fly front, the current hatch slate — sulphurs, March browns, olives, tan caddis, little black caddis and brown stones — demands anglers carry a broad selection rather than betting on a single pattern. Costa specifically calls out attractor-style nymphs including Frenchies, as well as general Euro jig patterns as reliable subsurface options, noting that fish can shift from small olive nymphs to larger size-12 jigs between sessions. Streamer fishing is flagged as a productive opportunistic tactic when rain pushes off-color water through the system. Costa also references Wheatley stacked fly boxes as the organizational tool of choice for managing the diversity of patterns required this time of year.Locations & SpeciesThe episode focuses on the Central Pennsylvania limestone stream corridor centered around State College, with Spring Creek, Penns Creek, Fishing Creek and the Juniata all discussed. The Juniata was carrying slight color at the time of recording following a rain event but was dropping and clearing. Spring Creek and Penns Creek are highlighted as the primary waters for emerging sulphur hatches, with Fishing Creek also noted as part of the sulphur progression. The target species throughout is trout — the wild brown trout fisheries that define Centre County's reputation as a world-class dry fly destination. Costa notes that current conditions are tracking at or near seasonal averages, with the brief concern of summer low-water and warming temperatures expected to begin closing the prime window somewhere between mid and late June.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat hatches are active right now in Central PA?Multiple hatches are producing simultaneously: sulphurs are emerging on Spring Creek with Penns Creek and Fishing Creek following closely behind, March browns are coming up, blue-winged olives are present throughout, and tan caddis, little black caddis and brown stones are all in the mix. Costa emphasizes that the diversity of activity makes pattern variety an important tool for hatch-matching precision at this stage of the season.How should I adjust my dry fly timing during Central PA's spring season?Under the current cooler temperatures and overcast conditions, the best dry fly action has been occurring in the afternoon. As warmer and sunnier days arrive, Costa expects the peak hatch windows to shift toward evening — a seasonal pattern Central PA anglers should track closely and adjust their on-water schedules accordingly.When should I throw streamers during spring dry fly season?Streamers remain a viable and productive option any time rain events push off-color water through the system, even when dry fly activity is strong on clearer water. Costa frames streamers as a situational rather than primary tactic at this point in the season — a useful arrow in the quiver after rain, but not the main focus when hatches are firing.What nymph patterns are working in Central PA right now?Pheasant Tails, Frenchies and attractor-style Euro jig nymphs are all producing consistently. Costa's key advice is to avoid getting locked into a single pattern: fish can want a small olive nymph one day and a size-12 jig the next, so carrying variety and being willing to change is the most important tactical principle for subsurface fishing during this hatch-rich window.How long will the prime spring fishing window last in Central PA?Costa estimates the best fishing of the year will continue for roughly the next four to six weeks from recording, with summer low-water conditions and rising water temperatures expected to become a concern sometime between mid and late June. The advice is clear: get on the water now while conditions are ideal.Related ContentS8, Ep 19 – Spring Fever: George Costa on Central PA's Fishing Conditions and Upcoming HatchesS8, Ep 17 – Spring Awakening: George Costa on Central PA Fishing and Upcoming HatchesS8, Ep 4 – Chilly Waters and Crafty Flies: A New Year Fishing Report with George CostaS7, Ep 36 – Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly ShopS6, Ep 48 – Rain or Shine: Central PA's Fishing Report with TCO Fly ShopConnect with Our GuestFollow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources.Support the ShowShop through our Amazon link to support the podcast.Join our Patreon community to support the show.If you are in the industry and need help getting unstuck, learn more about our consulting options.Subscribe & AdvertiseSubscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app.Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.
• S8, Ep 29: Fishing in Flux: Matt Reilly's Take on Spring Trends and Techniques 30.04.2026 19min

  Episode OverviewThe Articulate Fly returns to Southwest Virginia with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing for a candid late-spring conditions update covering the 2026 striper run, the smallmouth spawn transition and the tactical realities of fishing during one of the most compressed and drought-affected springs on record. Marvin Cash and Matt dissect a season that accelerated and stalled simultaneously — an extended cold February followed by an abrupt heat spike of 85–95°F days in late March and early April, paired with persistently low water, collapsed the striper run and complicated every major seasonal transition on Southwest Virginia's river systems. The weird weather and flows have made it genuinely difficult to pattern pre- and post-spawn smallmouth — the fish anglers actually want to target — because the usual seasonal cues have been compressed and scrambled. Matt provides a practical framework for identifying spawning males so you can skip them and keep hunting for fish that are actively feeding: the lazy follow, the lip-grab without commitment, the fish that trails your bug 8–10 feet off the bank and turns back are all signs to move on. He also explains why low water in an otherwise frustrating spring carries a meaningful upside for long-term recruitment if dry conditions hold through June. The episode closes with a thoughtful response to a listener question from Myles about breaking into fly fishing guiding professionally, with Matt covering mentorship, income diversification, the ethics of client and fishery stewardship and the financial realities of building a sustainable guide business.Key TakeawaysHow to recognize spawning male smallmouth behavior — lazy follows, lip-grabs and short pursuits that turn back to the bank — so you can move on quickly and keep hunting actively feeding pre- and post-spawn fish.Why low-water drought springs can actually produce strong smallmouth recruitment classes if rain stays away through June.When to move on from a fish that follows your bug or streamer and returns to the bank without committing — and why skipping those fish is both the ethical and tactically correct call.How unusual weather and flows this spring have scrambled the typical pre- and post-spawn patterns, making it a mixed-bag season where reading individual fish behavior matters more than following a seasonal playbook.Why building a guide career requires prioritizing client relationships and fishery health above daily revenue — and how that long-term ethic translates to business sustainability.How diversifying income streams (writing, multi-species guiding, year-round fisheries) protects a guide's livelihood when weather, blowouts or other factors cut into prime booking windows.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe central tactical theme of this episode is finding and targeting actively feeding pre- and post-spawn smallmouth in low, clear water — a harder task than usual given how badly the weird weather and flows this spring have scrambled normal seasonal patterns. Matt covers top water bug presentations and streamer fishing as the primary techniques for this window, but stresses that reading individual fish behavior is the key skill right now. Stomach-pump data — stoneflies, bees, beetles, damselflies and dragonflies — confirms that genuinely feeding fish are keyed on terrestrials and aquatic insects, which gives anglers confidence that top water presentations are well-founded. The critical field skill Matt emphasizes is identifying spawning males quickly so you can move on: a fish that lazily follows a bug or streamer 8–10 feet off the bank and turns back, or that lip-grabs without committing, is a spawner to skip — not a fish to continue to work. The striper run is also discussed briefly in the context of the same low-water and warming conditions.Locations & SpeciesSouthwest Virginia's river systems — the New River drainage and surrounding waters — are the focus of this report, with Matt Reilly fishing and guiding the region year-round. Smallmouth bass are the primary target species for the spring through early fall, with striped bass serving as the transitional species between musky season and pre-spawn smallmouth and the remainder of smallmouth season. The compressed, weather-scrambled spring has made it unusually difficult to pattern pre- and post-spawn smallmouth — the fish Matt and his clients are after — with conditions shifting too quickly for the usual seasonal benchmarks to hold. The season discussed covers late April through early July, with May through late June highlighted as the core window for top water, baitfish and crayfish presentations once the spawn has run its course and actively feeding fish become reliably patternable again.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do you identify spawning male smallmouth so you can move on and find actively feeding fish?Matt explains that spawning males reveal themselves through a set of distinctive non-committal behaviors: lazily following a bug or popper without eating, lip-grabbing it without driving it down or trailing a fly 8–10 feet off the bank before turning back to their original position. A genuinely feeding fish commits. Once you recognize those spawner signals, the right move is to keep moving, because leaving them alone is the correct call during the spawn. With this spring's scrambled conditions making pre- and post-spawn fish harder than usual to pattern, being efficient about identifying and skipping spawners is especially important.What does extremely low, warm spring water mean for smallmouth spawn site selection?In low-water years, smallmouth spread their spawning activity across non-traditional structure — small mid-river rocks, exposed tailouts and spots that wouldn't hold nests at normal flows — because classic protected backwaters become stagnant and unsuitable. Understanding where fish are spawning matters less for targeting purposes and more for knowing where not to fish, and for recognizing the behavior cues that signal a spawner so you can move on efficiently. The upside of this low-water spawn, as Matt explains, is the potential for strong recruitment if dry conditions hold through June.What are the best fly fishing techniques for Southwest Virginia smallmouth in late spring and early summer under low, clear conditions?Matt anticipates top water bug presentations — poppers, damselfly and dragonfly imitations, terrestrials — dominating May through early July given the continued low and clear forecast. Streamer presentations remain viable, particularly for baitfish and crayfish patterns as water warms into the late May and June window, but the finesse of dead-drifting surface flies tight to the bank is a standout tactic for reaching post-spawn fish that are genuinely in a feeding mode. The challenge this season is that the scrambled spring has compressed the transition windows, so reading individual fish behavior — rather than relying on calendar-based seasonal cues — is the more reliable approach.What is the most important advice for someone looking to build a career as a fly fishing guide?Matt emphasizes three things above individual tactics: surround yourself with mentors who are better than you and have nothing to prove, be willing to work extremely hard and put in time on the water because print and video resources only go so far, and diversify your income streams across species, seasons and ancillary work like writing. He also stresses that sustainable guide businesses prioritize client experience and fishery health over daily revenue — those values pay off long-term even when they cost you in the short run.Why do low-water drought conditions during the spawn create an opportunity for long-term smallmouth recruitment?If spring stays dry through June, fish can complete the spawn without disruption from flooding or high flows, which can otherwise wash out nests and devastate year-class recruitment. Matt notes that this is a meaningful potential upside to what otherwise feels like a frustrating season — the same drought that hurt the striper run and compressed the musky window may produce a strong class of juvenile smallmouth if it holds.Related ContentS8, Ep 23 – Low Water Chronicles: Matt Reilly on Pre-Spawn Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal ShiftsS8, Ep 16 – The Seasonal Shift: Matt Reilly Discusses Spring Fishing Strategies in Southwest VirginiaS8, Ep 2 – January Fishing Forecast: Weather Patterns and Musky Tips with Matt ReillyS6, Ep 71 – Adapting to Heat and Low Flows: A Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with Matt ReillyConnect with Our GuestFollow Matt on Instagram.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on...