American Shad below the Conowingo Dam

Took a trip to the Susquehanna today. Have driven over the Conowingo damn on the way to the shore many times. Always wanted to try fishing the area, and made the trip today. Maryland you've got a great fishing area. Fisherman's park is on the west bank just a short trip off of Route 1.
There was not any action at first, then I saw six caught between four guys. Action slowed down and most packed up or headed up closer to the dam. It was windy and made the fishing challenging. After three hours I finally got my shad!! Nice big one, then a few cast's later a smaller one.

Shad should be around a few more weeks, so I'm going to have to make another trip or two down to Fisherman's Park.

Warm Water, Brunner's Island, Susquehanna River 3/08/10

So glad February is behind us. Over a month with out getting the line wet. Sun was shining, calm winds, the promise of a great day. Got in the water around 7:30, and fish were splashing all around. Noticed right away what looked like mayflies. Not a lot, but sure was a hatch going on. After over an hour of no action I went back to the truck and got the fly rod. Muddler's minnows are what I saw my grandfather catch many fish on. (I'm not an avid fly angler, just starting to use as an alternate when conditions warrant.) So gave that a try, shortly after getting back in the water the wind decided to pick up a little. May as well have kept the spinning outfit, could not coax a hit with the fly rod either. (wishing I had a mayfly imitation in the vest) So I got out the catfish bait and tried that. Nada.... Well it was a beautiful day, as more and more anglers lined the river, and boats floated by. I didn't see a fish caught, although one boat did say they had a "couple of little ones"

Enjoyed the fishing after that snowy month of February, but wished I could have coaxed a few fish.

Kevin

Warm Water, Brunner's Island, Susquehanna River 2/02/10

Snow was falling, a chill in the air, and a couple of hours to check out the river. The river was back in it's banks. Actually a nice level for fishing the Brunner's Island area. The water was murky, but not muddy. Around 2:00pm I made my first cast. With the limited time I had, I kept moving back and forth between a couple of my favorite spots. Thought for sure I'd get something from the brush line in the water, but no luck. Finally did get that first fish of 2010. A little smallmouth down current of a boulder close to shore. Time was getting short so I headed back to the truck with a smile on my face.

Since cresting just above flood stage six days ago the Susquehanna has dropped almost 12 feet.
Needs to drop a little more to be able to safely wade out a little further. I was able to get out 15-20ft then cast back into the brush area's along the bank. Hope to give it another try next week if the weather cooperates.