Show notes
In this episode of the TCO Flycast, Bill catches back up with Susquehanna River guide Mike Rosa for a full recap of a strange, unpredictable spring — and a look ahead at summer smallmouth strategy. Mike breaks down why this year threw every pattern out the window: a brutal winter freeze, cold water lingering into spring, and fish that wouldn't show up on schedule.We dig into how Mike adapted — skipping the tributaries early to chase big fish in the main river, fishing oversized flies slow when nothing else worked, and reading a river that stayed high and off-color for months. From there we get into the summer transition: gear changes, leader tricks, grass and shade structure, and how a guide's daily game plan shifts from sunrise topwater to midday hunting.Mike also shares his full rod and line lineup for the Susquehanna, a barrel swivel trick every angler should be using, an update on his guide lodge on the river, and advice for anyone wanting to try smallmouth fishing for the first time. We close out talking about the upcoming Bass Thumb Tournament and why fishing early in the day matters more than people think.If you fish the Susquehanna — or want to start — this one's full of real, in-season insight you won't find anywhere else.The best way to support this podcast is to choose TCO Fly Shop for all your fly fishing gear needs. Find our online store here:https://www.tcoflyfishing.com/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=flycast_ep9_mike_rosaBass Thumb Fly Fishing Tournament (July 9-11, benefiting Project Healing Waters & Susquehanna Greenways): https://www.tcoflyfishing.com/products/bass-thumb-fly-fishing-tournament-2026Streambred Anglers Website: https://www.streambredanglers.com/Mike’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sba_flyfishing/Chapters:00:00 Intro & Recapping the Spring Season01:26 A Cold Winter and a Slow, Unpredictable Spring02:15 Skipping the Tributaries for the Big Susquehanna03:23 A Trout Fishing Detour During High Water04:42 The Triple Deceiver: Mike's Dirty Water Go-To06:02 Frog Season Starts Early and Never Stops07:38 Why a Tough Puzzle Makes Guiding More Fun08:34 Pre-Spawn to Post-Spawn: This Year's Timeline10:24 Tributaries vs. Main River Right Now11:27 Ice-Scarred Trees From a Brutal Winter12:34 Slowing Down and Sizing Up in Tough Conditions14:09 Gearing Up for the Summer Transition15:30 Grass, Shade & Structure: Summer Smallmouth 10117:22 A Guide's Daily Game Plan18:32 Hammocks, Lunch Breaks, and Island Life19:09 Long Leaders for Low, Clear Water19:40 The Barrel Swivel Trick Every Angler Should Know21:33 Night Fishing on the Susquehanna23:17 Previewing the Bass Thumb Tournament24:30 Last Year's Tournament: Chasing Big Fish, Not Numbers25:12 Sight Fishing vs. Blind Casting Grass Lines27:09 Sizing Down Streamers for Summer28:13 Retrieve Tricks and the Half & Half29:49 Crayfish Colors for Every Water Clarity31:11 40+ Floats Later: Lessons From a Wild Spring36:02 Sage Rod Lineup for the Susquehanna38:58 Fly Lines for Wind and High Water41:18 Why an 8-Weight Rules This River41:42 An Update on the Guide Lodge43:31 Advice for Beginners Trying Smallmouth46:05 Creek Fishing Nostalgia46:56 Final Words: Beat the Heat, Fish Early