The Articulate Fly

Smallmouth Episodes

S8, Ep 43: Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Report
43
June 19, 2026

S8, Ep 43: Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Report

Episode Overview In this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for an early summer conditions update on the Susquehanna River system in central Pennsylvania. With late spawners still working through a post-spawn funk and a stretch of volatile weather keeping temperatures yo-yoing between the 70s and the low 90s, Shumaker explains why the region hasn't fully transitioned to topwa...
S8, Ep 40: Chasing Fish and Seasons: Josh Trammell's Guiding Adventures
40
June 5, 2026

S8, Ep 40: Chasing Fish and Seasons: Josh Trammell's Guiding Adventures

Episode Overview In this episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash sits down with Josh Trammell, Head Guide at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio, for a candid look at what it takes to build and sustain a full-time, four-season guide career. Josh covers the Ohio multi-species fishing calendar — smallmouth bass, northern pike, steelhead and carp — along with seasonal guiding in Alaska and destination schools targeting musky and trophy trout. Josh traces his path from...
S8, Ep 39: High Water Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Insights
39
June 4, 2026

S8, Ep 39: High Water Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Insights

Episode Overview In this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for an early-June conditions check on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania. Recent heavy rainfall pushed both systems well above normal — the Susquehanna approaching 12 feet, the Juniata topping 10 — and Brian breaks down how he's fishing the receding flows and what anglers can expect as the po...
S8, Ep 38: High Water and Transitional Fish: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing Insights
38
May 30, 2026

S8, Ep 38: High Water and Transitional Fish: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing Insights

Episode Overview In this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing for a candid late-spring conditions update covering the post-spawn transition, dirty water tactics and the seasonal arc ahead. Recorded amid rising, stained flows on the New River and surrounding drainages — following months of below-average flows — the episode captures a moment when Southwest Virginia smallmouth fishin...
Guest: Matt Reilly
S8, Ep 34: Frog Patterns and Fishing Strategies: Brian Shumaker's Late Spring Smallmouth Report
34
May 21, 2026

S8, Ep 34: Frog Patterns and Fishing Strategies: Brian Shumaker's Late Spring Smallmouth Report

Episode Overview In this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for a timely late-spring conditions check on the Susquehanna River system. The frog bite has been exceptional — two solid weeks of deer hair bug action — and Brian breaks down exactly how to rig, dress and present deer hair frogs for surface-eating smallmouth before the post-spawn funk sets in. Beyond the fishing re...
S8, Ep 31: Chasing Smallmouth: Brian Shumaker's Adaptations for Unpredictable Spring Weather
31
May 7, 2026

S8, Ep 31: Chasing Smallmouth: Brian Shumaker's Adaptations for Unpredictable Spring Weather

Episode Overview The Articulate Fly's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report returns with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides , delivering a timely mid-spring conditions update for the Susquehanna River system in Central Pennsylvania. This episode cuts straight to the practical challenge facing every Mid-Atlantic smallmouth angler right now: how to fish effectively when an extreme pattern of temperature swings — 80°F one day, back to the 50s by mid-week — is compressing and disrupting the...
S8, Ep 29: Fishing in Flux: Matt Reilly's Take on Spring Trends and Techniques
29
April 30, 2026

S8, Ep 29: Fishing in Flux: Matt Reilly's Take on Spring Trends and Techniques

Episode Overview The Articulate Fly returns to Southwest Virginia with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing for a candid late-spring conditions update covering the 2026 striper run, the smallmouth spawn transition and the tactical realities of fishing during one of the most compressed and drought-affected springs on record. Marvin Cash and Matt dissect a season that accelerated and stalled simultaneously — an extended cold February followed by an abrupt heat spike of 85–95°F days in late...
Guest: Matt Reilly
S8, Ep 27: The Pre-Spawn Puzzle: Captain Brian Shumaker's Tips for Pennsylvania Smallmouth
27
April 22, 2026

S8, Ep 27: The Pre-Spawn Puzzle: Captain Brian Shumaker's Tips for Pennsylvania Smallmouth

Episode Overview This fly fishing podcast episode launches the inaugural Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report on The Articulate Fly, featuring host Marvin Cash and Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides . The episode arrives at a pivotal moment in the Pennsylvania smallmouth spawn cycle, with an unseasonably volatile spring — swings from the upper 50s to the 70s in water temperature within days — compressing what is normally a methodical, staggered spawn into a chaotic quest to pattern pre...
S8, Ep 23: Low Water Chronicles: Matt Reilly on Pre-Spawn Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts
23
April 3, 2026

S8, Ep 23: Low Water Chronicles: Matt Reilly on Pre-Spawn Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts

Episode Overview In this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Matt Reilly for a timely spring conditions update. With pre-spawn smallmouth season winding down under extreme drought pressure — flows running at roughly a fifth to a quarter of seasonal averages — Matt breaks down how he's adapting tactics on the water in real time. Rising water temperatures, driven by a stretch of days pushing into the upper 70s and near ...
Guest: Matt Reilly
S8, Ep 16: The Seasonal Shift: Matt Reilly Discusses Spring Fishing Strategies in Southwest Virginia
16
March 6, 2026

S8, Ep 16: The Seasonal Shift: Matt Reilly Discusses Spring Fishing Strategies in Southwest Virginia

Episode Overview This fly fishing podcast episode delivers a timely late-winter transition report from Southwest Virginia, covering the critical window when musky season winds down and pre-spawn smallmouth bass fishing kicks into gear. Host Marvin Cash reconnects with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing — a USCG-licensed captain and specialist in smallmouth, musky and other predatory game fish in the New River system — for a frank assessment of where conditions stand and what anglers sh...
Guest: Matt Reilly
S8, Ep 9: Ice, Snow and Musky: Navigating Winter Fishing in Southwest Virginia
9
Feb. 6, 2026

S8, Ep 9: Ice, Snow and Musky: Navigating Winter Fishing in Southwest Virginia

Episode Overview In this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly podcast, guide Matt Reilly discusses late January/early February winter conditions on the New River and tactical considerations for musky anglers navigating frozen water and seasonal transitions. Reilly details how 6 to 9 inches of snowfall combined with sub-freezing temperatures have kept the New River frozen for nearly two weeks, creating challenging access conditions while fish hold in predictable winter lies. ...
Guest: Matt Reilly
BONUS: Crafting The Nut Job: A Deep Dive with Brendan Ruch
Jan. 9, 2026

BONUS: Crafting The Nut Job: A Deep Dive with Brendan Ruch

Episode Overview In this episode of The Butcher Shop fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash sits down with Brendan Ruch, the innovative tier behind the Nut Job, to explore every dimension of this game-changing swim fly pattern. From its accidental birth on Logjam Live to its current status as a go-to predator pattern for serious smallmouth and trout anglers, Brendan walks through the complete evolution of the fly. The conversation covers Central Pennsylvania waters where the pattern has proven de...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
S7, Ep 99: Winter's Approach: Matt Reilly's Tips for Catching Musky in Low Water
99
Nov. 21, 2025

S7, Ep 99: Winter's Approach: Matt Reilly's Tips for Catching Musky in Low Water

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing, where he breaks down late fall musky fishing tactics on the New River during challenging low water conditions. Matt shares essential techniques for clear water musky fishing, including stealth approaches with long casts, downsizing presentations and speed retrieval strategies that trigger strikes even when fish are boat-shy. The episode also deliver...
Guest: Matt Reilly
S7, Ep 92:  Last Call for Fishing: Brendan Ruch Discusses Fall Conditions and Future Plans
92
Oct. 25, 2025

S7, Ep 92: Last Call for Fishing: Brendan Ruch Discusses Fall Conditions and Future Plans

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for the season finale of The Ruch Report, where host Marvin Cash and Brendan Ruch deliver critical late fall fishing insights from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Ruch, a respected smallmouth bass guide and fly tier, breaks down the challenging low, clear water conditions dominating the region and explains how fish behavior shifts as topwater season ends. Despite late summer-like water levels continuing into fall, Ruch reveals a key pattern: smallmouth are grouping...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
S7, Ep 90: Transitioning Tactics: Matt Reilly on Targeting Smallmouth and Musky This Fall
90
Oct. 23, 2025

S7, Ep 90: Transitioning Tactics: Matt Reilly on Targeting Smallmouth and Musky This Fall

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly for this timely Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with guide Matt Reilly, covering the challenging transition period as fall conditions settle in. With water temperatures dropping into the low to mid-60s on the New River, Reilly shares honest insights about targeting large smallmouth bass during October's unpredictable conditions. Learn why big fish abandon their predictable summer spots this time of year and how effective strategies shift as the bug bite b...
Guest: Matt Reilly
S7, Ep 83: From Guiding to Marketing: Brendan Ruch on Fishing and Adulting
83
Sept. 25, 2025

S7, Ep 83: From Guiding to Marketing: Brendan Ruch on Fishing and Adulting

The Articulate Fly podcast delivers another essential Ruch Report featuring expert guide Brendan Ruch, who shares critical fall bass fishing strategies while navigating his new role with Megabass . In this timely episode, Ruch addresses the pivotal question of when to transition from topwater flies to ned rig techniques during fall fishing, revealing that low water conditions and extended warm weather are keeping topwater action alive well into autumn. Learn about the most effective ned rig-styl...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
S7, Ep 82: The Art of Stealth: Catching Big Smallmouth in Low Water Conditions with Matt Reilly
82
Sept. 23, 2025

S7, Ep 82: The Art of Stealth: Catching Big Smallmouth in Low Water Conditions with Matt Reilly

The Articulate Fly brings you essential insights for navigating challenging fall smallmouth conditions with Southwest Virginia guide Matt Reilly. As low, clear water conditions continue with extended summer-like weather, Matt shares critical smallmouth bass fishing strategies that separate successful anglers from frustrated ones. Discover why stealth becomes paramount when targeting spooky fish in shallow, clear water, and learn specific techniques for minimizing unnecessary disturbances from yo...
Guest: Matt Reilly
S7, Ep 74: Beyond the Popper: Subsurface Strategies with Brendan Ruch
74
Aug. 28, 2025

S7, Ep 74: Beyond the Popper: Subsurface Strategies with Brendan Ruch

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly for another insightful Ruch Report with Pennsylvania guide Brendan Ruch, who shares expert techniques for challenging summer fishing conditions. With waters running low and clear across PA, Ruch reveals why subtle surface presentations are outfishing aggressive popper techniques, demonstrating Matt Miles' proven method of creating slack movement that mimics injured insects without spooking selective fish. Learn specific cicada shimmy strategies that trigger...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
S7, Ep 72: Ebb and Flow: Mastering Smallmouth Fishing in Unpredictable Conditions with Matt Reilly
72
Aug. 19, 2025

S7, Ep 72: Ebb and Flow: Mastering Smallmouth Fishing in Unpredictable Conditions with Matt Reilly

The Articulate Fly podcast delivers essential Southwest Virginia fishing intelligence with guide Matt Reilly, who breaks down the critical decision-making process every angler faces when conditions refuse to cooperate. Reilly, an expert smallmouth fishing guide with years of regional experience, reveals how flash floods and yo-yo water levels have made this one of the most challenging topwater seasons in recent memory. Learn his systematic approach to reading stream flow data, water clarity and ...
Guest: Matt Reilly
S7, Ep 67: Chasing Smallmouth: High Water Strategies with Brendan Ruch
67
July 30, 2025

S7, Ep 67: Chasing Smallmouth: High Water Strategies with Brendan Ruch

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for another essential Ruch Report with smallmouth bass guide Brendan Ruch, fresh from successful trips to Michigan waters with Schultz Outfitters and western Pennsylvania streams. Despite challenging mid-Atlantic conditions with high, dirty water disrupting traditional topwater fishing, Brendan shares proven strategies for adapting to stained water conditions using copper flash patterns, tan and olive brown crayfish imitations and downsized ...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
S7, Ep 65: Dirty Water Dilemmas: Fishing Insights from Matt Reilly in Southwest Virginia
65
July 24, 2025

S7, Ep 65: Dirty Water Dilemmas: Fishing Insights from Matt Reilly in Southwest Virginia

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast as host Marvin Cash catches up with Southwest Virginia guide Matt Reilly for essential summer fishing insights when conditions get challenging. Matt shares his expert strategies for adapting to dirty water and high flow conditions that have disrupted typical topwater opportunities across the region. Learn how to modify your smallmouth bass fishing approach using streamer techniques, including Chuck Kraft's Critter Mite patterns and crayfish imitations that...
Guest: Matt Reilly
S7, Ep 58: Tackle Talk: Essential Fly Lines for Smallmouth Success with Brendan Ruch
58
July 2, 2025

S7, Ep 58: Tackle Talk: Essential Fly Lines for Smallmouth Success with Brendan Ruch

Join Marvin Cash on this tactical episode featuring smallmouth guide Brendan Ruch for another insightful Ruch Report. With high water keeping anglers off their home waters, Brendan shares his expertise on optimizing Lamson three-pack reel setups for serious smallmouth fishing, breaking down the perfect trio of fly lines for varying conditions. Learn how to match fly lines to your rod's action, discover why intermediate lines require seasonal swapping to avoid sticky summer performance and master...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
S7, Ep 52: The Summer Shift: Adapting Your Fly Game with Brendan Ruch
52
June 18, 2025

S7, Ep 52: The Summer Shift: Adapting Your Fly Game with Brendan Ruch

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Brendan Ruch for the latest Ruch Report. As summer heats up, Brendan shares his insights on adapting smallmouth strategies, particularly focusing on topwater techniques and the importance of scaling down baitfish sizes for summer flows. Listeners will learn about the effectiveness of using smaller, slim-profile baitfish flies and the benefits of experimenting with larger flies in faster water. Brendan emphasizes that anglers sh...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
S7, Ep 48: The Ruch Report: Fishing Tips and Tales from the Turnpike!
48
June 4, 2025

S7, Ep 48: The Ruch Report: Fishing Tips and Tales from the Turnpike!

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Brendan Ruch for another engaging Ruch Report. As he navigates the scenic mountains of West Virginia, Brendan shares his recent fishing experiences en route to pick up a new puppy. He discusses the surprising sight of fish on beds and the strategies that have been effective in the current high-water conditions. Listeners will gain insights into the types of flies that are working well, including olive and black patterns with...
Guest: Brendan Ruch