I waded into the Juniata for the first attempt at Smallies yesterday of 2023. Some very large fish were moving into spawning grounds but no beds yet (which I didn't expect to find them on beds yet, anyways) and the sunfish were also not up on their beds yet, but starting to move in. Rock bass were more abundant and easier to come by and I saw more of them yesterday than I have in recent years. They had all but vanished compared to their levels of 20 years ago. I took my brother in law out and he actually caught a few rock bass. He has been trying to pick up fly fishing and he has gone 3 times now. He has been struggling A LOT with trout and hasn't connected yet. Too bad rockies are the worst fighting fish in all of freshwater fishing.
I was able to catch a few bass on top on surface bugs in the main river channel. In a couple weeks they will all be on the spawn. With levels so low on creeks and no rain the big river felt nice. I always love the topwater game midsummer in the beautiful fading sunlight here in Central PA.
I was able to catch a few bass on top on surface bugs in the main river channel. In a couple weeks they will all be on the spawn. With levels so low on creeks and no rain the big river felt nice. I always love the topwater game midsummer in the beautiful fading sunlight here in Central PA.