Show notes
Smallmouth bass might be the most underrated species in fly fishing.In Episode 4 of the TCO Flycast, Bill sits down with Susquehanna River guide Mike Rosa to talk about everything smallmouth bass. From seasonal patterns and river structure to topwater eats and streamer retrieves, this episode breaks down how to successfully target smallmouth on the fly in Pennsylvania.The Susquehanna can be intimidating. In many places it’s over a mile wide and full of structure, islands, ledges, and boulder fields. Mike explains how he approaches the river, how fish move throughout the year, and how anglers can start breaking down big water.The conversation also covers seasonal tactics, fly selection, and how smallmouth behavior changes from pre-spawn through summer and into fall.If you’ve only focused on trout fishing, this episode might make you rethink what a fly rod is capable of.Topics include:• How to break down a massive river like the Susquehanna• Seasonal smallmouth patterns from winter to fall• Streamer techniques and why fish often eat on the pause• Topwater smallmouth tactics in summer• Fishing structure like boulders, ledges, and seams• Fly gear setups for river smallmouth• Susquehanna conservation and fish population recovery• The Bass Thumb Fly Fishing TournamentWhether you fish from a kayak, raft, drift boat, or on foot, this episode is packed with practical insights for anglers interested in smallmouth on the fly.Chapters:0:00 Intro – Mike Rosa and smallmouth fly fishing1:09 Trout vs smallmouth on the fly3:55 Why smallmouth fishing is so addictive6:07 Breaking down the Susquehanna River8:40 Smallmouth seasonal patterns10:47 Summer fishing and topwater tactics12:23 Fishing high water and river conditions13:22 Fly rod and line setups for smallmouth16:12 Reading structure on big rivers18:41 Streamer retrieves and eating on the pause21:07 Average size of Susquehanna smallmouth24:49 Susquehanna river health and fish populations27:12 Wading vs floating the river33:48 The Bass Thumb Fly Fishing tournament37:21 Crayfish patterns and fishing techniques42:56 Topwater smallmouth tactics50:45 Fishing dirty water conditions52:18 Best time of year to catch big smallmouth55:03 Outro and where to find Mike Rosa