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The Articulate Fly: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Articulate Fly
The Articulate Fly Fly Fishing Podcast regularly releases interviews with national and regional personalities covering fly fishing, fly tying and fly fishing travel. We also regularly release fishing reports for the novice and experienced fly angler. Whether you just loved a River Runs Through It or you are a streamer junkie, a dry fly addict, a swinger or a nymph head, we have you covered! To learn more, visit www.thearticulatefly.com.
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- 2 days ago12 min
S8, Ep 68: The Fall Transition: Matt Reilly's Insights on Bass Behavior and Bug Fishing Strategies
Episode OverviewOn this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing for a late summer update on the New River system. After weeks of stable weather, low water and daytime highs in the mid-80s to 90s have kept conditions consistent, though Reilly notes this year's annual cicada hatch has behaved differently than usual, peaking early and sporadically rather than settling into the typical seasonal pattern.Reilly explains that smallmouth bass are already showing the classic fall pattern of podding up into large schools, a shift that normally shows up later in September but appears to be arriving early this year. He walks through how to approach a pod of schooled-up bass methodically, since dense concentrations of fish create pockets of empty water elsewhere on the river, along with the double-edged nature of that competition: podded up fish can be more aggressive toward a fly, but spooking one can shut down an entire pod at once.Key TakeawaysHow to approach a school of podded up smallmouth bass methodically, since dense pods leave stretches of otherwise good habitat empty of fish.Why competition within a schooled group of bass can make fish more aggressive toward a fly, while also raising the risk that spooking one fish shuts down the entire pod.When to expect New River smallmouth to shift into fall schooling behavior.Why an inconsistent cicada hatch reduces how tightly smallmouth key on bank-oriented bug lies, pushing more fish toward mid-river holding water instead.When to plan a Southwest Virginia musky trip, since the season starts from early-to-mid November and runs into February on the New River system.Techniques & Gear CoveredReilly describes sight fishing low, clear New River water for smallmouth bass keyed on terrestrial activity, using a patient, methodical approach to cover water and locate schooled-up fish rather than blind casting likely spots. He details how a pod of bass concentrated around structure like a submerged log can produce competitive feeding, where fish race each other to a fly, but also how the same concentration means a single spooked fish can put the whole group down.Locations & SpeciesThe report centers on the New River system in Southwest Virginia, where low, warm late summer flows and consistent sunny weather have shaped both bug fishing for smallmouth bass and the approach to schooled-up fish. Smallmouth bass are the primary target discussed, with musky emerging as the seasonal focus starting in November. Reilly frames the current window as a seasonal hinge point, where the first hard frost or a tropical system moving through between early September and October could reshape both water levels and the terrestrial bite.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow is the cicada hatch behaving differently on the New River this year?Reilly describes this year's annual cicada emergence as weaker and earlier than typical, with the main foraging event peaking two to three weeks ahead of the typical seasonal window. Since that early spike, cicada activity along the river has been inconsistent, giving this season's bug fishing a different rhythm than prior years even though overall fishing has remained good.Why are Southwest Virginia smallmouth bass podded up into schools earlier than usual?Reilly attributes the early schooling behavior to a combination of low water and the natural shortening of days. Fish that normally hold in consistent individual summer spots are already grouping into pods of several to more than a dozen bass, a pattern he typically doesn't see until a little later in the season.How should anglers approach a pod of schooled-up smallmouth bass?Reilly recommends staying patient and methodical, since a large concentration of fish in one spot means there will be stretches of otherwise good looking water with no fish present. He also cautions that competition among schooled bass can make them more likely to strike, but that spooking a single fish in a tightly packed group can put the entire pod down at once.When does musky season start on the New River, and how far out is Reilly already booking?Reilly expects to shift his focus fully to musky fishing by early-to-mid November, with the season running through February. As of this recording, he is already booked through roughly November 9th, underscoring how far in advance anglers should plan a musky trip.What could disrupt the current stable fishing pattern before fall fully sets in?Reilly points to two
- 4 days ago11 min
S8, Ep 67: Elevate Your Cast: Mac Brown's Expert Tips on Haul Timing and Line Speed
Episode OverviewHow do you time a haul so it actually adds line speed instead of working against your cast? On this Casting Angles installment of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash and Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish in Bryson City, North Carolina, break down the single biggest mistake anglers make when hauling: starting the pull too early. Recorded during the late summer trout doldrums, before delayed harvest waters reopen in early October, the conversation is built around a practical off-season drill list rather than an on-the-water report. Mac explains how nearly all hauling problems trace back to timing, pointing to Western Carolina University research he participated in that measured line speed jumping from roughly 78 mph to 264 mph at 30 feet once the haul was properly timed. He walks through the pre-haul rotation, the three-point grip and the late pinky pull that generate tip speed before the haul is even added, using a frisbee throw analogy to describe the wrist extension timing anglers need to feel. Mac and Marvin also cover two low tech practice tools, pantomiming the stroke and using a rubber band looped around both index fingers, that let anglers rehearse haul timing without a rod, line or water at all.Key TakeawaysHow to identify the single most common haul timing mistake: pulling too early, before the rod has finished its late rotation.Why feeling real tension in the line hand during the haul is the clearest sign the timing is correct.How to use a late pinky pull within a three-point grip to generate line speed before the haul is even added.Why a rubber band looped around both index fingers is an effective at-home drill for internalizing haul timing.When to prioritize haul timing practice: during the late summer trout doldrums before delayed harvest season opens.How pantomiming the casting stroke without a line, rod or water builds the muscle memory that carries over to the real thing.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe conversation centers on haul timing rather than a specific fly pattern or rig, walking through the mechanics of the pre-haul rotation: a late pinky pull within Mac's three-point grip that produces most of the tip speed before the line hand ever adds a haul. Mac frames the correct hauling moment using a keyboard key analogy, a series of backslashes building tension, then a single forward slash as the release, and a frisbee throwing comparison to describe the wrist extension timing that governs both vertical and horizontal casts. He also references controlled line speed testing conducted at Western Carolina University that quantified the difference a properly timed haul makes at 30 feet of line. For gear-free practice, Mac recommends pantomiming the stroke and using a simple rubber band around both index fingers to rehearse the keep-hands-together-then-explode-apart timing that a haul requires.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhy do most anglers haul too early, and what causes it?Mac Brown estimates that roughly 95 percent of anglers begin the pull before the rod has finished its rotation, a leftover habit from throwing sports where more effort is applied earlier rather than later. He says the haul needs to come "late, late, late," timed to the pre-haul rotation, a late pinky pull within a three-point grip, so the pull adds to speed the rod tip has already generated rather than fighting against it.How can an angler tell if their haul timing is correct?Marvin offers a kinesthetic cue that Mac confirms: if you don't feel real tension in the line hand while hauling, you're hauling too soon. Done correctly, the pull should feel like it is adding noticeable resistance late in the stroke rather than an easy tug at the start.What practice drills can build haul timing without a rod or line?Mac recommends two off-water drills. The first is pantomiming the full casting stroke, including the elbow drop that starts the rotation, in an armchair with just the rod butt, something anglers can do while watching football in the fall. The second is looping a rubber band around both index fingers to physically feel the keep-hands-together-then-separate-explosively timing that a properly timed haul requires.How much line speed does a properly timed haul actually add?Citing testing from Western Carolina University, Mac notes that without any haul, line speed at 30 feet measured around 78 miles per hour; with a properly timed haul, that number jumped to roughly 264 miles per hour. He points to that gap as the first place anglers should look when they are struggling with wind or dista
- 1 weeks ago57 min
S8, Ep 66: The Roadless Rule Debate: Chris Wood on Protecting America's Wild Spaces and What You Can Do
Episode OverviewOn this episode of The Articulate Fly, Trout Unlimited President and CEO Chris Wood returns to discuss the fight to save the Roadless Rule, the 25-year-old policy now facing a full rescission by the U.S. Forest Service. With a public comment period closing September 21st, host Marvin Cash and Chris cover why this fight matters well beyond hunters and anglers. Chris, who helped write the original 2001 Roadless Rule as a Forest Service policy staffer under Chief Mike Dombeck, walks through its origins, the parallel legislative attack led by Senator Mike Lee and why the rescission would open 44 million acres of backcountry to new road construction. The conversation ranges from Idaho and Utah's grazing and oil and gas leasing inside roadless areas to the outsized role these lands play as cold, clean water sources for the Tongass National Forest, Colorado's greenback cutthroat trout habitat and Idaho's bull trout and Chinook and steelhead runs. Chris also details recent Trout Unlimited conservation wins, including record coho returns from the North Coast Coho Project and a deal to acquire four dams on Maine's Kennebec River to open habitat for Atlantic salmon. The episode closes with concrete advice on how anglers can make their voices heard before the comment deadline.Key TakeawaysWhy the Roadless Rule's rescission would strip protections from 44 million acres of backcountry that provide the coldest, cleanest water for downstream trout and salmon fisheries.How to submit an effective public comment before the September 21st deadline, including personalizing it with a specific roadless area or species that matters to you.Why the "de facto wilderness" argument against roadless areas doesn't hold up, since these lands already permit off-road vehicle use, grazing, oil and gas leasing and mining.When a more deliberate, iterative rulemaking process (like the state-specific rules Idaho and Colorado developed under the Bush administration) makes more sense than a blanket rescission.Why building a broader coalition beyond traditional hunters and anglers is becoming essential to winning public lands fights in the current political environment.Locations & SpeciesThe episode centers on the 58.5 million acres of national forest backcountry protected by the 2001 Roadless Rule, with particular attention to Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and Alaska's Tongass National Forest. These roadless areas supply drinking water for more than 40 million Americans and serve as critical, contiguous habitat: 70% of Colorado's greenback cutthroat trout, 68% of Idaho's bull trout and 70-75% of the Tongass' and Idaho's Pacific salmon and steelhead populations depend on habitat found within roadless areas.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat is the Roadless Rule, and why is it being challenged right now?The 2001 Roadless Rule bars new road construction across 58.5 million acres of national forest. On August 18th, the U.S. Forest Service proposed rescinding it entirely, with a public comment period ending September 21st. A parallel legislative effort led by Senator Mike Lee also seeks to eliminate the rule and bar any future administration from reinstating it.Why do roadless areas matter for trout and salmon fishing specifically?Roadless areas are the source of the coldest, cleanest water for the larger rivers downstream that support wild trout and salmon. They protect outsized shares of at-risk populations, including most of Colorado's greenback cutthroat trout, Idaho's bull trout and the Tongass National Forest's Pacific salmon and steelhead runs.Isn't a roadless area basically the same as a designated wilderness area?No. Unlike wilderness, roadless areas already permit off-road vehicle use (33% of all motorized trails in the 12 Western states are in roadless areas), oil and gas leasing, grazing and mining, so the argument that they're "de facto wilderness" locked away from any use doesn't hold up.How can anglers make their comments count before the September 21st deadline?Personalizing a comment with a specific roadless area, species or memory that matters to you is more effective than a generic form submission. Comments can be submitted through Trout Unlimited, and the goal is to exceed the 1.6 million comments the original rule drew 25 years ago.What happens if the rescission goes through anyway?Advocates expect the rescission to face extensive litigation. Continued advocacy and public pressure are see
- 2 weeks ago11 min
S8, Ep 65: Mastering the Roll Cast: Mac Brown's Essential Techniques for Challenging Waters
Episode OverviewHow do you build a roll cast good enough to effectively fish tight, brush-choked mountain streams where there's no room for a backcast at all? On this Casting Angles installment of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash and Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish in Bryson City, North Carolina, break down what actually separates a "world class" roll cast from one anglers only think is dialed in. Mac frames the roll cast as the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free tool for the tight, overgrown trout streams typical of the Appalachians and mid-Atlantic, where casters rarely have the 15 to 20 feet of clearance needed for a conventional backcast. The conversation works through the mechanics of the shallow D loop, the critical role of a properly matched double taper fly line over a weight forward, and the anchor placement drills anglers can run in the late summer off-season before trout fishing picks back up. Mac also covers how to reposition the D loop to neutralize wind and why timing tightens up considerably when casting upstream and downstream on moving water. Whether an angler works small freestone streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or any other tight, overgrown trout water, the episode offers a practical framework for turning a serviceable roll cast into a genuinely reliable one.Key TakeawaysHow to build a genuinely long roll cast by prioritizing precise anchor placement before adding power, since consistent anchor placement handles roughly 90 percent of the battle once the cast becomes dynamic.Why a double taper fly line, not a weight forward, is the right gear choice for roll casting, since a weight forward's short head leaves too much thin running line at the rod tip to load the cast properly.How to throw a shallow D loop that occupies only 3 to 4 feet of space behind the caster, making it possible to fish brush-choked mountain streams with no conventional backcast room.When to set the D loop on the downwind side of the rod to turn wind from a safety and casting problem into a non-issue.Why timing becomes more critical on upstream and downstream roll casts, since moving water pulls the D loop away from its initial placement.How to use late summer off-season evenings to practice anchor placement in knee-deep water before trout season demands the skill on the water.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe episode centers on roll cast mechanics, starting with the shallow D loop: a compact, low-power pickup that occupies only 3 to 4 feet of space behind the caster rather than a full V loop, making it usable in the tight streamside brush typical of southern Appalachian trout water. Mac ties gear directly to technique, explaining why a double taper line outperforms a weight forward for roll casting, since the mass needed to load the cast sits near the rod tip rather than in a short head backed by thin running line. The conversation also covers anchor placement as a stand-alone practice skill, with Mac recommending anglers wade in knee-deep water and repeatedly set the line so the anchor lands close to a rod length away, refining accuracy independent of live fishing pressure. Additional technique notes include adjusting D loop size and forward loop size for distance and control, positioning the D loop on the downwind side of the rod for safer, easier wind management, and the added timing demands of roll casting upstream and downstream where current pulls the D loop after its initial placement.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat is a shallow D loop and why does it matter for trout streams?A shallow D loop is a compact roll cast that energizes the line but backs off power quickly enough to occupy only 3 to 4 feet of space behind the caster, rather than a full V loop that might need 20 feet or more. It matters because tight, brush-lined Park and Appalachian streams rarely offer enough clearance for a conventional backcast, making the shallow D loop the tool that keeps anglers fishing productively in that water.Why does fly line taper matter so much for a long roll cast?A double taper line carries its mass in the belly of the line near the rod tip, which is the portion doing the work in a roll cast. A weight forward line, by contrast, has a short head followed by thin running line, so attempting a long roll cast with a weight forward often fails because there isn't enough mass positioned where it's needed to load the rod.How should anglers handle wind when roll casting?Mac recommends setting up the D loop on the downwind side of the rod as a simple, repeatable adjustment. This keeps the line moving aw
- 2 weeks ago16 min
S8, Ep 64: Streamer Strategies: Ellis Ward's Late Day Fishing Tips for East Tennessee
Episode OverviewHow should anglers pick streamer color when the light drops out on an East Tennessee tailwater? On this East Tennessee Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Ellis Ward for a conditions update on the Watauga River and the South Holston River after an unusually wet stretch pulled the region out of a prolonged post-Helene drought. Ellis walks through how the sudden swing from months of low water to near-constant rain has scrambled the normal dam release schedule, turning a predictable one-to-six-o'clock Watauga generation window into something closer to ten-to-six or noon-to-nine depending on the day, while the South Holston has only recently returned to regular releases after the TVA system spent the better part of a year recovering from drought. That inconsistency has made dry fly fishing unpredictable, so Ellis has leaned harder into dirty water streamer fishing, night fishing and mousing to keep clients on fish. The back half of the episode tackles a listener question on late-day streamer selection: Ellis explains that a fly's color has almost nothing to do with how a trout perceives it in low light or off-color water, since a backlit fly reads only as a silhouette regardless of hue. Instead, he breaks down why opacity and water-column position, not color, drive strikes when the sun drops or the water turns dirty, using a four-inch Drunk and Disorderly as his low light standard.Key TakeawaysHow to read Watauga and South Holston release schedules when heavy rain pushes actual generation windows well beyond their posted baseline times.Why a streamer's color becomes irrelevant to trout in backlit or off-color water, since profile and opacity determine what the fish actually sees from below.When to switch to a bigger, opaque streamer fished higher in the water column for low light or dirty water strikes.How positioning a streamer near the surface exploits the same predatory "kill shot" instinct anglers see when a big trout follows a fly up before committing.Techniques & Gear CoveredEllis breaks down a practical framework for low light and off-color water streamer fishing: when light is reduced by cloud cover, a low sun angle or dirty water, color stops mattering because a backlit fly is seen only in silhouette, so the two variables that matter are opacity (how fully the fly blocks light) and where it sits in the water column. He favors densely packed materials such as deer hair or craft fur over sparsely tied bucktail for maximum light-blocking, contrasting a sparse bucktail fly with a Craft Fur Changer to illustrate how much more effectively the denser material blocks light once it's wet and compressed. He fishes that fly higher in the water column so a predatory trout gets a clean, unobstructed shot at it rather than having to hunt it out of deeper, murkier water. His go-to for these conditions is a four-inch Drunk and Disorderly, fished in white, yellow or tan with some flash since color reads as irrelevant to the fish in these conditions.Locations & SpeciesThis report covers the Watauga River and the South Holston River tailwaters in East Tennessee, both part of the TVA's 32-dam reservoir and tailwater system. The primary target species is brown trout, with the discussion centered on dry fly fishing during stable release windows and streamer fishing when water runs high or dirty. Seasonally, the region is climbing out of a prolonged drought that followed Hurricane Helene, with persistent heavy rainfall now producing extended and inconsistent dam releases, flash flooding on Watauga tributaries and a tradeoff between stained water (better streamer fishing) and clearer water (better dry fly fishing).FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat color streamer should I fish in low light conditions?Color is largely irrelevant once light is reduced by clouds, a low sun angle or dirty water, because a fly viewed from below against a backlit sky reads only as a silhouette. Instead, focus on opacity (how completely the fly blocks light) and fish it higher in the water column where a trout can see and commit to it more easily.Why doesn't fly color matter to trout in dirty or backlit water?When an object is backlit or viewed through off-color water, black, white and every color in between look essentially the same dark shape, since there isn't enough light transmission for the fish to distinguish hue. What a trout actually keys on in these conditions is the fly's profile and how much light it blocks, not its color.How should I position my streamer in the water column during low light or sta
- 3 weeks ago8 min
S8, Ep 63: Seasonal Shifts: Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Strategies for Late Summer
Episode OverviewCaptain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides returns to The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for another Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report, breaking down how a fresh round of heavy late summer rain has muddied the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers and reshaped smallmouth positioning heading into Labor Day. Shumaker explains how localized thunderstorm tracks determine which branch of the Susquehanna blows out and which stays clean, meaning anglers who understand the West Branch/North Branch dynamic on the Susquehanna and the Juniata Valley's own storm patterns can often salvage half a river rather than write off an entire day. He details a mud line strategy for fishing the boundary between clear and discolored water and lays out when to stick with "bug" patterns tight to clear banks versus when to switch to intermediate lines and streamers in colors like black-and-purple or chartreuse-and-orange once water clarity drops off. As rising but still fishable flows push Susquehanna smallmouth tighter onto mid-river structure such as grass beds, islands and rock ledges, Shumaker also covers how those fish use discolored water the same way they use shade or cover, sitting in the murk to ambush prey. On the seasonal side, he notes that a lack of an early hard frost could extend the region's topwater bite into the back half of September.Key TakeawaysHow to read localized thunderstorm tracks to figure out which branch of the Susquehanna will blow out and which stays fishableWhy smallmouth bass hold in muddy or discolored water as an ambush point the same way they use shade or grass coverWhen to switch from "bug" fishing tight to clear banks over to streamer fishing once you move more than about five feet into discolored waterHow rising but still fishable Susquehanna flows push smallmouth bass tighter onto mid-river structure like grass beds, islands and rock ledgesWhy the lack of an early hard frost can extend Pennsylvania's topwater bite into late SeptemberHow to pick streamer colors like black-and-purple or chartreuse-and-orange with intermediate lines for muddy high water smallmouth fishingTechniques & Gear CoveredShumaker walks through a mud line approach that targets the seam between clear and discolored water where smallmouth bass concentrate during high flows alongside a two-track presentation strategy that pairs "bug" patterns fished tight to clear banks with streamer fishing once anglers move into muddier water. For the streamer side, he favors intermediate lines paired with baitfish-style patterns in black-and-purple or chartreuse-and-orange color combinations chosen for visibility in reduced-clarity conditions. He also touches on the difference between fishing wide island-studded water like the Susquehanna, where rising flows push bass onto mid-river grass beds, islands and rock ledges rather than tight to the bank, and smaller water where high flows more directly push fish toward bank structure.Locations & SpeciesThe report centers on the Susquehanna River, where the confluence of the West Branch and the North Branch determines which side of the river runs clean after localized storms, along with the Juniata River and its own Juniata Valley watershed. Target species is smallmouth bass, with Shumaker describing how rising but still fishable flows concentrate fish tighter onto mid-river grass beds, islands and rock ledges rather than spreading them out as they would be in normal lower water. Seasonally, the report is set in late summer heading into Labor Day, with Shumaker noting that, barring an early hard frost, the topwater bite could last into the back half of September.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow does thunderstorm track affect fishing conditions on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers?Shumaker explains that because the Susquehanna is fed by a West Branch and a North Branch, storms tracking from the west without moving north will muddy the West Branch and roughly half the river while the North Branch-fed side stays clear. A similar pattern plays out on the Juniata and the two systems meet near Duncannon, so anglers can often find fishable water somewhere even after heavy rain.Why do smallmouth bass hold in muddy or discolored water during high flows?Shumaker notes that bass treat discolored water the same way they treat shade or grass cover using it as an ambush point where they can sit unseen and dart out to grab prey that swims by even though the fish cannot see the same distance in dirty water that they could in clear conditions.When should anglers switch from "bug" fishing to streamers in high water?According to Shumaker, visibility along the banks typically holds for about one to five feet before the water turns
- 3 weeks ago4 min
S8, Ep 62: Late Summer Secrets: George Costa's Central PA Fishing Report
Episode OverviewOn this Central PA Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a late summer conditions update. Water levels across the region are running well above the usual late summer norm thanks to a wet summer, keeping trout streams fishable throughout the day even as afternoon action remains the slowest window. Costa reports Tricos are still bringing fish up in the mornings, while evening hatches of caddis, olives and the season's first Isonychias round out the dry fly picture. With water levels up, terrestrials such as beetles, ants and crickets are the top producers, fished on a dry-dropper rig with small nymphs like zebra midges, perdigons and Greenie Weenies below. Streamer fishing has also been productive during low-light morning and evening windows. Costa notes that trout fishing is in unusually good shape for this time of year, avoiding the typical low, hot and stressful late summer conditions. Beyond the trout report, Costa shares that the smallmouth bite has been strong on the high water, particularly around the Juniata River, with anglers finding good topwater action by working the banks. He also previews TCO's transition into fall and winter, including new product arriving, seasonal sales and a full slate of fall and winter classes coming to the shop's website in the coming weeks.Key TakeawaysHow to target Central PA trout during high, late summer flows by fishing dry-dropper rigs with terrestrials on top and small nymphs underneathWhen to fish for the best dry fly action, focusing on morning Trico windows and evening caddis and Isonychia hatchesWhy streamer fishing is producing right now when fished during low-light morning and evening hours rather than middayHow to find smallmouth bass action on the Juniata River by working the banks with topwater flies during elevated flowsTechniques & Gear CoveredCosta's go-to approach for elevated, late summer flows is a dry-dropper rig, pairing terrestrial patterns like beetles, ants and crickets on top with small nymphs such as zebra midges, perdigons and Greenie Weenies below. Dry fly anglers can also find morning Trico action on Penns Creek and the Little Juniata, along with evening hatches of caddis, olives and early-season Isonychias. For anglers willing to fish low light, streamers are producing a decent bite in the early morning and evening hours. On the smallmouth side, Costa points anglers toward topwater flies worked tight to the bank on the Juniata River, where elevated flows haven't slowed the bite.Locations & SpeciesThis report centers on Central Pennsylvania's trout waters, including Penns Creek and the Little Juniata, which are running high and cool after a wet summer, keeping fishing viable through the middle of the day despite a typical afternoon lull. Wild and stocked trout remain the primary target, with morning Trico and evening caddis, olive and Isonychia hatches providing consistent dry fly opportunities. Costa also highlights a strong secondary smallmouth bass fishery on the high water of the Juniata River, where anglers working the banks are finding good topwater action despite the elevated flows.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhat are current water conditions on Central PA trout streams in late summer?Water levels are running well above the typical late summer norm thanks to a wet summer, and temperatures have stayed relatively stable without the usual late summer spikes. Costa still recommends checking stream temperatures in the afternoons, but overall conditions have allowed for fishing throughout the day.When is the best time of day to fish Central PA streams right now?Mornings and evenings are producing the most consistent action, with Tricos bringing fish up early and caddis, olives and Isonychias showing in the evening. Afternoons remain the slowest window, so Costa recommends sticking to the low light hours.What flies should anglers use for late summer trout in Central PA?Costa recommends a dry-dropper rig with terrestrials like beetles, ants and crickets on top, paired with small nymphs such as zebra midges, perdigons and Greenie Weenies underneath. Streamers are also working when fished during low light morning and evening periods.How is the smallmouth bite on the Juniata River right now?The smallmouth bite has been great despite elevated flows, with anglers working the banks and finding solid topwater action. Costa expects the bite to k
- Aug 21, 202610 min
S8, Ep 61: Smallmouth Chronicles: Matt Reilly's Secrets to Success in SW Virginia
Episode OverviewWhat happens to a Southwest Virginia smallmouth fishery when storm after storm rolls through a watershed for weeks on end? On this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide and writer Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing for a late-summer update on a region caught in a relentless rain pattern, with flash floods dumping 6 to 7 inches of rain in an hour on parts of the watershed while the New River holds up comparatively well thanks to its lake-fed flows. Reilly breaks down how he reads clarity river by river and tributary by tributary rather than trusting a single gauge, and why the New River's roughly 95 percent lake-water makeup gives him options even when stream flow numbers spike. The conversation moves into an unusual bright spot for the fishery: several years of strong smallmouth recruitment have produced an abundance of 0 to 3 year old fish in the 11 to 12 inch range, but a noticeable gap in the 12 to 15 inch numbers class, meaning bigger streamers and bugs are drawing pecks from undersized fish rather than solid hookups on true numbers fish. Reilly and Cash also look ahead to the seasonal transition bearing down on the region, with smallmouth season winding down over the next month to six weeks, musky bookings already filling for November and December and striper season deposits coming in for the spring run. It is a practical, conditions-first snapshot for anglers planning a Southwest Virginia trip around shifting water and a fishery in transition.Key TakeawaysHow to read water clarity on a tributary-by-tributary basis rather than trusting a single regional gauge when a watershed is hit by scattered stormsWhy the New River's largely lake-fed flow gives anglers a clarity advantage over tributary-driven systems even when overall stream flow spikesWhy an unusually strong multi-year smallmouth spawn has created a numbers gap, with plenty of small fish but fewer 12 to 15 inch bass than normalWhen to expect the seasonal shift from smallmouth to musky in Southwest VirginiaWhy booking musky, striper and smallmouth trips well in advance matters as Reilly's calendar fills a year or more outTechniques & Gear CoveredReilly's late-summer program currently leans on moving-water tactics suited to diminished clarity and elevated flows, including streamer fishing and aggressive topwater presentations on cloudy, rainy days. He notes that with the current numbers-class gap, fishing bigger streamers and bugs sized for mature smallmouth is producing more short pecks from undersized fish than solid hookups. On the highest-water days, Reilly will fish well past the flow range most anglers consider viable, targeting mid-river slack water and bank structure where fish concentrate once flows push two to three times normal CFS.Locations & SpeciesThe report centers on the New River in Southwest Virginia, where smallmouth bass are the primary late-summer target and the New's largely lake-fed flow gives the system a clarity edge over tributary-driven waters even during heavy rain events. Conditions have been shaped by a stretch of intense, localized storms moving through the Johnson City to Wytheville corridor, producing everything from blown-out tributary water to sections holding good clarity on the same day. Reilly also flags the upcoming seasonal shift, with musky fishing picking up through the New River system from November into winter and a spring striper run drawing early bookings as smallmouth season winds down.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow do you find fishable water on the New River during a heavy rain pattern?Reilly watches radar and tributary-specific conditions rather than treating the watershed as one system, since some tributaries blow out quickly while the main New River can stay comparatively clear. Because roughly 95 percent of the New River's flow originates from lake water upstream, the system tends to hold clarity better than more tributary-fed rivers even when overall stream flow numbers rise sharply.Why are anglers getting short strikes on big smallmouth flies right now?Several consecutive years of strong spawning success have filled the river with 0 to 3 year old smallmouth in the 11 to 12 inch range, while the 12 to 15 inch numbers class that anglers normally target with bigger flies is thin this year. The result is a lot of pecks and grabs from fish too small to get the hook, since standard bigger-fly tactics are sized for the missing age class rather than the abundant younger fish.How high is too high to fish the New River with flies?Reilly will fish flows well beyond what most anglers consider viable, including stretches at two to three times the typical CFS range for good fishing, though success rates can drop noticeably at those extre
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About The Articulate Fly
The Articulate Fly Fly Fishing Podcast regularly releases interviews with national and regional personalities covering fly fishing, fly tying and fly fishing travel. We also regularly release fishing reports for the novice and experienced fly angler. Whether you just loved a River Runs Through It or you are a streamer junkie, a dry fly addict, a swinger or a nymph head, we have you covered! To learn more, visit www.thearticulatefly.com.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's The Articulate Fly daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Articulate Fly as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
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How often does The Articulate Fly release new episodes?
The Articulate Fly publishes every few days. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Articulate Fly cover?
The Articulate Fly covers topics including Leisure, Education, Sports, How To, Hobbies, Wilderness. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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