The Articulate Fly

Episode Overview On this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with Eric Hurst, the fly designer behind the Umpqua-produced Thrasher and Agent Scully streamers, fresh off his first season in Montana. It's a candid conversation about guiding burnout, building a name from scratch and designing streamers that actually swim. For serious streamer tiers and anglers weighing a move from Southeastern tailwaters to big Western trout water, Hurst's perspective is unusually raw and practical. Hurst grew up bass fishing in Alabama and came to fly fishing self-taught, learning to tie largely from YouTube before spending close to a decade guiding out of Alpharetta Outfitters on the Georgia tailwaters around Atlanta, with days in Tennessee and North Carolina. Now working for Kelly Galloup at Galloup's Slide Inn in Montana, he explains why Western trout key on hatches far more exclusively than Southeastern fish, why he would rather fish a good caddis hatch than chase the salmonfly hype and why he has stepped away from guiding until he knows his new water well enough to be fully confident. The heart of the episode is streamer design: his profile-first philosophy, the Mike Schmidt "rule of halves" for building a tapered silhouette, pairing buoyant and sinking materials so the fly works with less input on the retrieve and a glue-free thread wrap, also from Schmidt, for securing articulation wire. He also shares how Umpqua came to him about the Thrasher and Agent Scully, previews his new Secret Shopper, walks through the materials currently on his bench and makes the case for Bobbin the Hood as the event every streamer tier should attend. Key Takeaways How to build a tapered streamer profile with the "rule of halves," sizing each successive material at roughly half the length of the one behind it. Why pairing buoyant materials like deer hair with sinking materials like Laser Dub produces a fly that moves on its own and requires less work on the retrieve. How to secure articulation wire without glue using Mike Schmidt's back-and-forth thread wrap that tightens under tension like a Chinese finger trap. Why trout in Montana key on the hatch more exclusively than fish on Southeastern tailwaters like the South Holston, and what that means for an angler moving west. Why less is more at the vise, from trimming back a fly that already looks finished to pulling out long fibers rather than stacking materials. How handing new patterns to shop staff and clients gives a designer more objective field-testing feedback than fishing them personally. Techniques & Gear Covered The tying discussion centers on articulated streamers and swim flies, including Hurst's Thrasher, a swim fly tied weighted or unweighted, and the Agent Scully sculpin pattern, both produced by Umpqua in standard and mini sizes, with the newly added Secret Shopper to follow. He breaks down two techniques he learned from Mike Schmidt, the rule of halves and a glue-free thread wrap down the articulation wire, along with his recent move from two Hareline 3D beads to one for better swimming action. On the materials side he highlights Montana Fly Company's peppered chenille, used on Mike Schultz's Woodsman to build profile without holding water, and Kelly Galloup's Fish Feathers from MFC printed in rainbow, brown and speckled trout patterns. At the bench he ties on a black-and-gold Regal vise and brushes out fibers with a switchblade-style comb from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. For a deeper dive into swim fly mechanics, see BONUS - The Science of Streamers (Pt II): Kirk Klingensmith on Swim Flies. Locations & Species Hurst cut his teeth guiding trout on the Georgia tailwaters around Atlanta, with additional trips in Tennessee and North Carolina, before relocating to Montana for his first season on Western trout water. His biggest adjustment has been how selectively Montana trout key on hatches compared with Southeastern tailwater fish, even during strong sulphur hatches on the South Holston. He describes this year's Montana salmonfly hatch as hit or miss, fishing more like streamer fishing where you have to be in the right place at the right time, and says he would rather catch a good caddis hatch. His fishing roots go back to bluegill and bass in Alabama, which he still revisits to keep himself grounded. FAQ / Key Questions Answered What is the rule of halves in streamer tying? The rule of halves, which Hurst credits to Mike Schmidt, sizes each material at about half the length of the material tied in behind it. For example, a schlappen tail is followed by bucktail at half the tail's length, and the main body is half the length of the bucktail. The result is a fly that tapers naturally, and Hurst says you can see the improved profile when it swims. How do you secure articulation wire on a streamer without glue? Using a technique he learned from Mike Schmidt, Hurst wraps thread down the wire, back up halfway, down the full length and back up halfway again so the wraps behave like a Chinese finger trap: the harder the connection pulls, the tighter it gets. He stopped using glue on his articulation connections entirely after adopting the technique. How is fly fishing for trout in Montana different from Southeastern tailwaters? According to Hurst, Montana trout key on the hatch far more exclusively than fish back east. Southeastern tailwater trout will lock onto a strong sulphur hatch on the South Holston, but Western fish often want only what is hatching. He also found the salmonfly hatch less dependable than its reputation and prefers a strong caddis hatch for dry fly fishing. How did Eric Hurst get his fly patterns picked up by Umpqua? Umpqua reached out to Hurst first, while he was still tying purely for fun, and asked whether he had ever considered submitting patterns. He sent in the Thrasher, named for Georgia's state bird the brown thrasher as a nod to brown trout, and the Agent Scully, a sculpin pattern named as a nod to The X-Files. Both are now available in standard and mini sizes, the Secret Shopper is coming and he hopes to add micro versions. What does it take to be a good fly fishing guide? Hurst says a good guide has to love teaching and sharing, and that catching fish is secondary because no guide can make fish eat. He approaches every trip as a teacher who wants to fish through his clients, and he will not take anyone out on water he is not fully confident on. He also warns that giving everything to clients day after day takes a real mental toll. Sponsors Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use ARTFLY20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership. Related Content BONUS - The Science of Streamers (Pt II): Kirk Klingensmith on Swim Flies BONUS - A Deep Dive into the Swingin' D: Techniques and Tips with Mike Schultz S8, Ep 14 - Crafting Connections: Blane Chocklett on Fly Design and Conservation at Tie Fest S7, Ep 9 - Inside The Chocklett Factory: New Fly Tying Products, Bobbin and More with Blane Chocklett S8, Ep 64 - Streamer Strategies: Ellis Ward's Late Day Fishing Tips for East Tennessee Connect with Our Guest Follow Eric on Instagram. Follow the Show Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube. Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources. Support the Show Shop 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 & Advertise Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app. Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us. Helpful Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:34 First Fishing Memories and Finding Fly Fishing 05:43 From Tailwater Angler to Guide 09:30 Building a Guiding Business and Finding His Style 12:48 Heading West and Starting Over 16:45 Montana Waters and the Joy of Guiding 21:04 Boat Lunches, Beers and Good Company 24:28 Finding His Way at the Vise 27:45 Tying Influences and the Pull of Streamers 31:26 Designing Streamers That Swim 34:08 The Stories Behind the Thrasher and Agent Scully 36:34 Tying Tips, Tools and New Materials 43:50 Winter Plans and Tying Events

Episode Overview On this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly, guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing explains how to approach the opening weeks of fly fishing musky season and the final stretch of fall smallmouth fishing. Recorded as Southwest Virginia rivers recovered from heavy hurricane rain, the episode breaks down why October and early November musky fishing produces far more sightings than hookups and how to adjust when clear water makes fish spooky. Matt walks host Marvin Cash through his musky calendar, which starts with scattered trips in October before he commits fully in early November. He contrasts early-season conditions, defined by warmer and clearer water, with the colder and murkier water of January and February. Early-season muskies spread through good habitat and move more, producing plenty of curiosity follows, but clear water and sunny days can make them wary. His first adjustment is speed: fishing faster forces an aggressive fish to commit and leaves a follower more fired up by the time it reaches the boat. He also explains why this window suits anglers new to musky and those learning an unfamiliar river on their own. For smallmouth bass, Matt describes fall as a reversal of the spring pattern. He sizes up to 5- to 6-inch streamers, leads with swim flies before slowing down and fishing deeper and keeps topwater in play if flows drop again. Water temperatures in the 50s are generally productive unless a hard cold front has just knocked them down. The episode closes with an update on open musky dates from November through February. Key Takeaways How to use retrieve speed to trigger spooky early-season muskies in clear water on sunny October days. Why October and early November musky trips typically produce many follows and sightings but few eats, and why that makes the window a strong introduction for anglers new to musky. When to cover more water for musky, since early-season fish spread through good habitat rather than stacking only in key spots. How to size up to 5- to 6-inch streamers for fall smallmouth and when to slow down and fish deeper if swim flies get refused. Why a hard cold front that drops water temperatures from the 60s into the low to mid 50s can shut down an otherwise good fall smallmouth bite. When topwater still makes sense for smallmouth late in the season, particularly if flows fall low again. Techniques & Gear Covered Musky tactics center on fast retrieves that make an aggressive fish commit away from the boat, with the logic that a fish that follows without eating arrives at the boat more keyed up and less focused on the angler. Matt also describes covering more water per day in the early season while still concentrating on high-percentage spots. For smallmouth, he favors 5- to 6-inch streamers and starts with swim flies, then slows the presentation and drops deeper in the water column when fish refuse to chase. Topwater remains an option if flows fall again, and big smallmouth regularly swipe at 8- to 10-inch musky flies on musky days, a clear sign of how hard large fish will chase a big meal in the fall. Locations & Species This report covers fly fishing Southwest Virginia rivers for musky and smallmouth bass during the October transition. Hurricane rain had raised flows after a low-water year, and Matt hopes the river holds more water this fall and winter than it did last season. Fall and winter musky fishing in Southwest Virginia runs from sporadic October trips into a full schedule from November through February, with early-season fish spread out in warmer and clearer water and late-season fish moving more deliberately in colder, lower visibility water. Fall smallmouth fishing mirrors the spring pattern in reverse, with big fish chasing large meals as the water cools and that window peaking sometime in November. FAQ / Key Questions Answered Why is early-season musky fishing different from winter musky fishing? Matt Reilly defines the early season (October into early November) by warmer and clearer water than the January and February late season. Fish are spread out and moving more, which produces lots of curiosity follows, but clear water can make them spooky. Later in the year the number of fish caught tends to stay about the same, but fish become more intentional in cold water and reduced visibility means anglers see fewer of them. How do you get spooky muskies to eat in clear water? Speed is Matt's first adjustment for spooky fish in clear water and on sunny October days. Fishing faster makes a fish work harder and forces an aggressive one to commit, ideally away from the boat. If it follows without eating, it should arrive at the boat more fired up and less concerned with the angler. When is the best time for a beginner to try fly fishing for musky? Matt points to October and early November, when anglers can move a huge number of fish, see plenty of follows and maybe get an eat or two. Those sightings give newcomers context for what they are doing and what the fish are doing. The same window works for anglers exploring an unfamiliar river on their own because fish are spread through good habitat. What size streamers work for fall smallmouth? Matt fishes bigger in fall than summer, typically 5- to 6-inch streamers, unless water gets extremely low. Cooling water makes big smallmouth willing to chase down a large meal, a trend that can peak sometime in November, and big fish will even swipe at 8- to 10-inch musky flies. He starts with swim flies and slows down and fishes deeper only if fish refuse them. How does water temperature affect fall smallmouth fishing? Water temperatures in the 50s are generally productive for fall smallmouth. The exception is a sudden drop: water in the low to mid 50s the day after a giant cold front, following temperatures in the 60s, usually fishes poorly. Matt describes the overall fall pattern as a reversal of what anglers see in spring. Related Content S8, Ep 68 - The Fall Transition: Matt Reilly's Insights on Bass Behavior and Bug Fishing Strategies S7, Ep 90 - Transitioning Tactics: Matt Reilly on Targeting Smallmouth and Musky This Fall S7, Ep 99 - Winter's Approach: Matt Reilly's Tips for Catching Musky in Low Water S6, Ep 137 - Navigating Post-Hurricane Waters with Matt Reilly S6, Ep 112 - Smallmouth Transitions and Musky Prep: Matt Reilly's Southwest VA Update View all Southwest Virginia Fishing Reports with Matt Reilly Connect with Our Guest Follow Matt on Instagram. Follow the Show Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube. Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources. Support the Show Shop 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 & Advertise Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app. Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.

Episode Overview On this episode of The Articulate Fly's Casting Angles series, fly casting instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish in Bryson City, North Carolina, joins host Marvin Cash to take apart one of fly fishing's most persistent misconceptions: that a faster rod is a better rod. With North Carolina's Delayed Harvest stocking running late and low fall flows limiting the fishing report, Mac and Marvin devote the conversation to rod action and why medium-action rods often outperform fast rods for casting, line control and fighting fish. Mac frames the discussion around a simple principle — work equals force times distance — and explains how a medium action lengthens the casting stroke and widens the timing window, making it easier for new and intermediate casters to learn. He also emphasizes feel: the counterflex and rebound feedback a deeper-flexing rod sends to the hand, which is critical for presentation casts like the tuck cast and underpowered curve cast. Marvin adds that casting fiberglass smooths out a stroke, and Mac describes fishing his Epic glass rods for October caddis in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A story from the South Holston River tailwater illustrates the cost of mismatched tackle: a capable competition angler broke off fish after fish on light tippet with an ultra-fast rod, then fished until dark without a break-off after switching to an older Sage Light Line. The episode closes with practical ways to compare rod actions — side-by-side casting at a full-service fly shop, reading a rod's bend profile and test-casting during fly fishing show season — plus updates on Mac's remaining fall schools and his 2027 class and show schedule. Key Takeaways Why medium-action rods make casting timing easier to learn, since a longer stroke under the work-equals-force-times-distance principle opens a wider timing window than a fast rod allows. How the counterflex and rebound feedback of a medium-action rod helps you develop presentation casts like the tuck cast and underpowered curve cast. Why an ultra-fast rod can cost you fish when fishing light tippet and small flies on a tailwater, and how a softer rod protects tippet during the fight. How to judge a rod's action without casting it by loading it against a held or tied-off line and noting whether the bend stays in the tip, reaches the middle or extends to the cork. How to compare actions objectively by casting fast, medium-fast and medium rods of the same length and line weight back to back at a fly shop or on the casting pond at a fly fishing show. Why casting a fiberglass rod can smooth out your stroke and improve your roll casting and fish-fighting feel. Techniques & Gear Covered The core of the episode is rod action: Mac and Marvin compare fast, medium-fast and medium-action rods across casting, mending, line control and fighting fish, with Mac explaining how the work-equals-force-times-distance relationship and counterflex and rebound feedback favor medium actions for most trout fishing. Presentation casts such as the tuck cast and underpowered curve cast serve as examples where rod feel matters most, and Marvin notes that slower rods make mending easier and help anglers lose fewer fish. Fiberglass gets its due through Mac's Epic glass rods, which he favors for fall dry fly fishing, while an older Sage Light Line rod is the hero of a tailwater story about protecting light tippet when fishing small midge patterns. Practical evaluation methods round out the gear discussion, from casting a lineup of 9-foot 5-weights in sequence and ranking them by feel to visually checking each rod's bend profile under load. FAQ / Key Questions Answered Why isn't a faster fly rod always better? Mac Brown calls "faster is better" one of the most common misconceptions he has encountered in his teaching career. A fast rod compresses the casting stroke into a very short timing window that is hard to control, while a medium action gives a longer stroke that new and intermediate casters can manage more easily. He also notes that many elite casters and lifelong instructors choose medium-action rods for their own fishing. Why does rod feel matter for presentation casts? A medium-action rod transmits counterflex and rebound feedback to the caster's hand, while a very fast rod releases its energy so quickly that the caster feels very little. That feedback is what helps anglers develop and refine presentation casts such as the tuck cast and underpowered curve cast. Mac's view is that the right tool for building that feel is almost always a medium action. Why do anglers break off fish on tailwaters with fast rods? A very fast rod gives little cushion when fighting fish on light tippet with small flies. Mac describes a skilled competition angler who broke off fish after fish one morning on the South Holston River tailwater with an ultra-fast rod, then fished until dark without another break-off after switching to an older Sage Light Line. The lesson is that the rod, not the angler, is often the reason fish are lost in light-tippet situations. How can you tell a rod's action without casting it? Have someone hold the end of the line or tie it off to a tree, then bend the rod and study the curve. Note whether the rod flexes only in the upper third near the tip, bends into the middle or loads all the way down toward the cork. Mac says a rod that bends only at the tip is probably the wrong choice for tailwater fishing with small flies. What is the best way to compare fly rod actions before buying? Cast several rods side by side. Marvin recommends pulling multiple rods of the same length and line weight — for example a fast, a medium-fast and a medium-action 9-foot 5-weight — off the rack at a full-service fly shop and ranking them by feel. If a shop isn't an option, fly fishing shows are an ideal alternative, since most manufacturers rig rods for test casting on the casting pond. Related Content S8, Ep 72 - Casting Essentials: Mac Brown's Guide to Power and Arc S8, Ep 65 - Mastering the Roll Cast: Mac Brown's Essential Techniques for Challenging Waters S8, Ep 45 - Casting Fundamentals: Mac Brown on the Art of the Reach Mend S8, Ep 1 - Show Season Strategies: Mac Brown on Learning vs. Entertainment in Fly Fishing View All Casting Angles Episodes with Mac Brown Connect with Our Guest Follow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Follow the Show Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube. Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources. Support the Show Shop 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 & Advertise Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app. Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.

Episode Overview This Central PA Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly, a fly fishing podcast, catches up with George Costa, manager of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for an early-fall look at trout conditions across the region. Falling leaves, wind and dropping flows made for a slower week, but rain in the forecast should freshen things up just as the streamer bite and the first redds of the season approach. Costa explains how leaves turning and falling into the water, pushed along by steady wind, have made clean drifts difficult as flows ease toward the lower side. Nymphing has stayed consistent for anglers who can work their flies through the leaves, while dry fly action has been hit or miss despite caddis, olives and Isos on the water. A forecast half inch or more of rain on Sunday should deliver a welcome bump clearing out leaves, adding a bit of color and kicking the streamer bite into gear. He also flags a key seasonal milestone. Early redds traditionally show up around the end of October, and Costa expects to see them within the next two weeks, especially on Spring Creek, where trout tend to start building redds on the earlier side. With great water all year and comfortable fall temperatures, he calls this a great time of year to get out. Marvin and George close with TCO's busy fall and winter class calendar, including new classes at the Reading location plus fly tying and on-the-water classes in State College, along with fully stocked shops and State College hours. Key Takeaways How to keep nymphing productive in early fall by working flies through the leaves that are fouling drifts on windy days. Why a half inch or more of rain can reset Central PA streams by bumping flows, flushing out leaves and adding the color that switches on the streamer bite. When to expect the first trout redds in Central PA, with Spring Creek typically leading the way ahead of the traditional late-October timing. Why dry fly fishing remains hit or miss right now even with caddis, olives and Isos on the water. How to find TCO Fly Shop's fall and winter fly tying and on-the-water classes in State College and elsewhere. Techniques & Gear Covered Nymphing carried this report, with George Costa noting that subsurface rigs have produced consistently for anglers who can get their flies down through the leaves drifting in Central PA streams. Streamer fishing is the technique to watch as fall progresses, with Costa expecting the streamer bite to pick up on calmer days and after Sunday's rain adds color and flushes out leaves. Dry fly fishing has been hit or miss, with caddis, olives and Isos present but few reports of strong surface action. No specific fly patterns or rigs were named in this report, but TCO Fly Shop's locations are fully stocked for the fall and winter season, and its fly tying classes offer a way to sharpen bench skills over the colder months. Locations & Species This report covers Central Pennsylvania trout water around State College, with Spring Creek singled out as the stream where early redds typically appear first. Early-fall conditions include falling leaves, windy days and flows easing toward the lower side, with a forecast half inch or more of rain expected to bump flows and add color. Early trout redds traditionally show up in Central PA around the end of October, and Costa expects them within the next two weeks on Spring Creek. For anglers looking for fall fly fishing strategies in Central PA, the approach is to nymph through the leaf litter now and be ready for a streamer bite as rain and cooler nights take hold. FAQ / Key Questions Answered How do falling leaves affect fly fishing in Central PA during the fall? Leaves turning and falling into the water, especially on windy days, make it difficult to get a good drift. George Costa says this contributed to a slower week on Central PA streams. Nymphs have still produced for anglers who can get their flies through the leaves. What fly fishing methods are working best in Central PA in early fall? Nymphing has been the most consistent method, as long as anglers can work through the leaves in the water. Dry fly action has been hit or miss even with caddis, olives and Isos around. Costa expects the streamer bite to start picking up soon, particularly on days that are not super windy. How will fall rain change fly fishing conditions in Central PA? With flows easing toward the lower side, Costa sees a forecast half inch or more of rain as a great little bump. The rain should clear out leaves, add a bit of color to the water and get the streamer bite going. When do trout start building redds on Spring Creek? Early redds traditionally appear in Central PA around the end of October. Costa expects to start seeing them within the next two weeks, especially on Spring Creek, where trout tend to build redds on the earlier side. Now is the time of year for anglers to start watching out for them. How can anglers find TCO Fly Shop's fall and winter classes? TCO lists its classes under the Education tab at tcoflyfishing.com. New classes were just posted for the Reading location, and the State College shop offers fly tying and on-the-water classes. The State College shop is open 9 to 6 Monday through Saturday and 9 to 3 on Sunday, and TCO's other shops keep similar hours. Related Content S8, Ep 71 - Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa on Streamers, Hatches and Safety Tips S7, Ep 94 - Rain Dance Revelations: George Costa on Central PA's Fishing Forecast S7, Ep 89 - Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Insights on Low Water and Seasonal Strategies S7, Ep 86 - Navigating Fall Waters: George Costa's Tips for Low and Clear Conditions View all Central Pennsylvania Fishing Reports with George Costa Connect with Our Guest Follow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Follow the Show Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube. Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources. Support the Show Shop 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 & Advertise Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app. Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.

Episode Overview In the final Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report of the season on The Articulate Fly, Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides explains how to keep putting smallmouth bass in the boat as Central Pennsylvania's rivers drop to low, crystal-clear fall levels. It's a timely fly fishing podcast segment for anyone chasing smallmouth late in the season, when the fish get stingy and every presentation mistake gets punished. Two weeks after a healthy shot of rain, a nor'easter that came up the East Coast delivered far less precipitation than hoped, and both the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers are now dropping and gin clear. Brian breaks down why the fish are tough: a pattern of short stable spells broken by passing cold fronts and falling barometric pressure, combined with steadily dropping water that makes smallmouth easier to spook. His answer is constant adjustment, rotating patterns and downsized Clouser Minnows until something works, then changing again when the bite dies a mile or two downriver. Marvin and Brian also dig into drift boat presentation for low, clear water: longer casts placed slightly upstream so the fly swings down and across ahead of ledges and drop-offs, keeping the boat steady and the oarlock "window" each angler should fish from the bow and stern to get a natural, drag-free drift without mending. Brian covers his color strategy for overcast versus bright days, why he's staying with floating lines as the river gets skinny and why tiny lead eyes beat bead chain for getting Clousers down without hanging up. The episode wraps with how to book spring 2027 smallmouth dates before Brian hits the winter show circuit. Key Takeaways Why passing cold fronts and steadily dropping water make Pennsylvania smallmouth moody and why stable weather fishes better. How to cast longer and slightly upstream in low, clear water so your fly comes down and across a ledge or drop-off before the fish see the boat. How bow and stern anglers can each keep their casts inside an oarlock-defined window to get a drag-free drift at boat speed with no mending. When to switch to darker flies on overcast days and brighter, flashier flies on sunny days. How downsized Clouser Minnows with 1/50-ounce lead eyes on a floating line get to the fish without hanging up in skinny water. When to book spring smallmouth dates, since April and May fill first and Brian recommends reaching out before the end of December. Techniques & Gear Covered This report focuses on drift boat streamer tactics for smallmouth in low, clear fall water. Brian casts longer and slightly upstream to get ahead of ledges and drop-offs, letting the fly come down and across rather than landing on top of spooky fish. He assigns each angler a casting window, with the bow angler working from the oarlock forward and the stern angler from the oarlock back, and has them cast at roughly 45 degrees so the fly drifts at boat speed with no belly in the line and no need to mend. On gear, he's fishing floating lines exclusively and downsized Clouser Minnows tied with 1/50-ounce lead eyes, keeping the fly moving so it gets down without snagging. Fly color follows the light, with darker patterns on overcast days and brighter patterns with more flash on bright days, while boat discipline matters too: anglers should stay centered in the lean bars rather than drifting to the gunwale, since a listing or rocking boat pushes out waves that spook fish. Locations & Species Fly fishing the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania for smallmouth bass is the sole focus of this late-season report. Both rivers are dropping and crystal clear after a nor'easter delivered less rain than expected, to the point where Brian went from floating anywhere he wanted to bouncing off rocks within two weeks. Fall cold fronts and falling barometric pressure are making the fish fussy, so late-season smallmouth fishing in low, clear water calls for stealthy presentations, smaller flies and frequent pattern changes. Unless rain arrives, this marks the end of Brian's smallmouth season, with bookings already open for spring and summer 2027. FAQ / Key Questions Answered Why are smallmouth bass hard to catch in low, clear water in the fall? Brian Shumaker says it's a combination of weather and water. Smallmouth like stability, and fall cold fronts that drop the barometric pressure make them moody and fussy. At the same time, steadily dropping, crystal-clear water means the fish can see anglers and boats more easily and spook. How should you cast to smallmouth in low, clear water? Make longer casts and place them slightly upstream so the fly can get ahead of the ledge or drop-off and come down and across to the fish. Because smallmouth can see you more easily in clear water, putting the fly ahead of them rather than on top of them reduces spooking. Keep the boat steady while casting, since rocking pushes out waves that alert fish. Where should the front and back anglers cast from a drift boat? The bow angler should cast from the oarlock forward and avoid casting straight downstream, because the boat drifts toward the fly and it covers no new water. The stern angler should cast from the oarlock back and avoid casting upstream, which only drags the fly unnaturally. Casting at about 45 degrees within that window lets the fly drift at boat speed with no belly in the line and no need to mend. What fly colors work best for smallmouth on cloudy versus sunny days? Brian goes with darker flies on overcast or cloudy days. On bright days he switches to brighter colors with more flash. Beyond color, he rotates patterns and downsizes Clouser Minnows constantly, because a fly that works in one stretch may stop producing a mile or two downriver. What fly line and fly weight should you use for smallmouth in low water? Brian fishes floating lines exclusively as the river gets skinny. Instead of bead chain, he ties Clouser Minnows with 1/50-ounce lead eyes, which get the fly down where it needs to be. As long as you keep the fly moving, it won't hang up much in that kind of water. Related Content S8, Ep 69 - Navigating the Transition: Captain Brian Shumaker on Smallmouth Behavior and Fishing Techniques S8, Ep 63 - Seasonal Shifts: Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Strategies for Late Summer S8, Ep 68 - The Fall Transition: Matt Reilly's Insights on Bass Behavior and Bug Fishing Strategies S4, Ep 51 - SMALLIE REDUX: Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides View all Pennsylvania Smallmouth Reports with Brian Shumaker Connect with Our Guest Follow Brian on Facebook and Instagram. Follow the Show Follow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube. Follow our Substack newsletter for episode updates, tips and resources. Support the Show Shop 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 & Advertise Subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcast app. Think our community is a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.