After checking our web site, “SUSQUEHANNA WATER CONDITIONS” and monitoring the water level all week, we felt the water was right where it needed to be to fish. Saturday, July 5th we were awakened by the pelting of rain at 5:30 AM against the window. The weather channel said storms and rain were to hit in the afternoon. We decided to head down to Harrisburg and fish hoping we would be able to get a few hours in. We arrived at our location around 7:30 AM and the rain had not started there yet. So we quickly started our trek up the river to a ledge of rocks that always holds a few bronze backs.
The bite was slow, however, the water was clear and low. A little colder water temperature than we like to see for this time of the year, but we would take what we could get. Instantly we were into a few fish. Don decided to take me over to a spot he and his brother fished last October with much success. Although it wasn’t like October’s outing but it proved to be a good choice. My first cast out it was fish on. I caught my first walleye ever and landed a few of the mighty fighting smallies. A couple of times the hit was so fierce I literally almost lost my rod.
The area we were fishing was very swift water and that made the fight even more intense. Not that a smallmouth needs any help with it’s fight game. From acrobatic tail walking to their pounding surges, they are pound for pound one of the toughest fresh water fish. I know smallies are my favorite fish to catch. I love their fight.
We fished hard and even though the bite was slower than we were used to, we landed a total of 30 smallmouth. Majority of them were 18 inches and up. We had a few get away. Then after taking a few pictures with our throw away camera we noticed….it was not a waterproof camera…and thanks to Don going in head first…the pictures on the water didn’t turn out to say the least. We had to take pictures back on land of the few we kept.
We took back a few of the catch for the fish fry. The day ended with a couple walleye, 2 channel cats, and some fine looking smallmouth. When we arrived home Don and Pap Ott filleted up the catch with Pap’s new birthday gift. A MISTER TWISTER Fillet Knife. (By the way…Pap got his new knife thanks to Mike’s great review on it!) Then it was into the frying pan for beer batter fish.
Another great day in the field spent with family and friends and ended up the rain never came. Actually the sun came out. Rain or shine it was a great day!
Our combined take home catch.
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