Susky Smallies

[pbramble]

Does anyone fish the susquehanna for smallmouth around the Harrisburg area? If so, when is the earliest time that the bite becomes pretty good? I'm looking to plan an overnight canoe trip up there, but don't know when conditions are best.

[HenryL]

Greeetings!
The thing for you to do is to book a trip with Bob Clouser, 717.944.6541. It goes without saying that Bob is THE guide to go with, and can teach you tons. Not to mention the fact that he's just a great guy to spend a day with. Well worth the investment. Go fish. Good luck.

[The Old Man]

Late April pre-spawn smallies are fun on the fly rod...take a 7 or 8 weight and throw crayfish and minnow streamers on an intermediate line, you'll score.

Avoid messing with them during the spawn, though, let'em make babies. That's generally the first 3 weeks in May. Paost-spawn and early june are also great times, you might start seeing some good topwater action by then.

But you can hammer them in April if you fish slow...

[Cuda]

I usually don't fish up there until the summer months when the topwater action is good so I can't speak for early season. Just wanted to let you know that you should check the water level at H-burg before you go. Anything above about 4- 4.5 feet gets fast and tough to handle in a canoe. Right now I believe the level is at 15 feet, so until it drops substantially, it is not a good idea to plan a trip.