Smallmouth Episodes

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...

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 w...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Brendan Ruch for another exciting Ruch Report. Brendan shares his latest fishing adventures, recounting a rollercoaster day on the water filled with unpredictable weather and some impressive catches. The duo dives into the intricacies of fishing under changing conditions, discussing the various techniques and strategies that proved successful during Brendan's outing.As they prepare for an upcoming weather front, Brendan pro...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with Corey Haselhuhn from Schultz Outfitters for an engaging conversation about the upcoming fishing season and the art of carp fishing on the fly. As the warm weather begins to take hold in Michigan, Corey shares his journey to Schultz Outfitters and reflects on his earliest fishing memories, including the thrill of catching his first northern pike.The duo dives deep into the world of carp, discussing the technical challenges...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Brendan Ruch for a new Ruch Report. The duo dives into the recent weather challenges in Pennsylvania, discussing how the heavy rains have impacted fishing but also set the stage for a promising post-spawn bite. Brendan shares his experiences from the past week, where he navigated through a mix of pre-spawn and post-spawn fish, revealing the unique conditions that led to some interesting fishing strategies.Listeners will gai...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reunites with Brendan Ruch for the latest Ruch Report, filled with fishing tales and a touch of humor. Brendan shares his recent adventures on the river, including a successful day of fishing despite some unpredictable weather. The duo lightheartedly discusses everything from imaginary convenience store chimichangas to Easter treats, setting the stage for a fun and engaging conversation.As they dive deeper, Brendan reflects on the curre...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Brendan Ruch for the latest Ruch Report. Despite sitting in a damp truck and facing some chilly weather, Brendan reflects on an exciting three weeks of fishing. He discusses the recent high water conditions and how they impact fish behavior, as well as the anticipated smallmouth spawn in the coming week or so.The duo dives into Brendan's successful outings with clients from Schultz Outfitters, where they enjoyed some fan...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Matt Reilly for the latest Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. Matt shares insights on the current pre-spawn smallmouth fishing, discussing the challenges posed by unpredictable weather and sustained winds that have been plaguing anglers since February. As they navigate the nuances of spring fishing conditions, Matt emphasizes the importance of understanding water temperatures and fish behavior during this critical time.The ...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Blane Chocklett for an exciting update from The Chocklett Factory. Blane shares insights from a recent five-day smallmouth school he co-hosted with Mike Schultz, where they taught participants everything from fly tying to fishing techniques in challenging conditions. Despite the windy weather, the group enjoyed successful days on the water, catching impressive pre-spawn smallmouth.The conversation shifts to Blane's upcom...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Brendan Ruch for an engaging Ruch Report filled with insights on the current Pennsylvania smallmouth scene. Brendan shares his excitement about the pre-spawn bite, detailing the recent fishing frenzy in Pennsylvania and the strategies that led to success. He emphasizes the importance of lighter colored flies and specific materials that have proven effective in enticing bass.The conversation takes a light-hearted turn as ...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash teams up with Ellis Ward for an insightful East Tennessee Fishing Report. Fresh off the Kentucky River Musky Classic, Ellis shares tales from the tournament, including unexpected challenges and the thrill of fishing in less-than-ideal conditions. Despite the tough bite, he reflects on the camaraderie of the event and the potential for growth in future tournaments.The conversation shifts to the current state of fishing on the South Holst...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Matt Reilly for an insightful Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. As the weather begins to shift, Matt shares his experiences battling the windy conditions and high-pressure systems that have characterized recent fishing trips. Despite the challenges, he reveals that anglers have still managed to land some impressive catches, although the musky bite has been a mental game of patience and strategy.The conversation shifts a...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with Blane Chocklett for an in-depth discussion about the latest innovations coming out of The Chocklett Factory. Blane shares his excitement about new products, including revolutionary 3D bug wings that promise to enhance the realism of fly patterns while eliminating common casting issues like line twist.From hellgrammite body parts to realistic crawfish claws, Blane dives into the details of how these new materials will chan...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash kicks off the year with the first Southwest Virginia Fishing Report alongside Matt Reilly. Battling the harsh January weather, Matt shares insights on the upcoming pre-spawn smallmouth season, discussing his favorite color combinations and patterns for swim flies. Drawing inspiration from conventional gear, Matt emphasizes the importance of adapting fly choices to water conditions, with colors like white, chartreuse and orange taking the sp...

In this captivating episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash welcomes Austin Conrad, co-owner of Virginia Trophy Guides, to explore the vibrant world of Virginia smallmouth and musky fishing. Austin shares his journey into fly fishing, recounting early memories with his grandfather and the pivotal moments that led him to the "dark side" of fly fishing as an adult. Listeners are treated to the legendary tale of Skippy Britches and Austin's insights into the rich fishing culture of the Mid-...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash wraps up the final Ruch Report of the year with Brendan Ruch of Ruch Angling. Reflecting on a successful first season, Brendan shares his thoughts on the current fishing conditions and his plans for the off-season.As the conversation shifts, Brendan discusses his excitement for the upcoming musky season. Marvin and Brendan also announce the winner of the Ruch Angling swag pack, Frank Landis, and assure listeners that the contest was fai...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Brendan Ruch for another insightful Ruch Report. Brendan shares his experiences from a crisp fall day on the river, discussing how the changing season is impacting fishing spots and tactics. As the fall progresses, Brendan emphasizes the importance of fishing low and slow with weighted flies to maintain bottom contact, a key strategy for enticing fish during this time of year.Brendan shares his favorite fly patterns, inc...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash connects with Matt Reilly for a comprehensive update on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia. Matt shares his firsthand experiences of the storm's impact on the community, highlighting the severe flooding in towns like Damascus and Marion, which has disrupted local infrastructure and tourism. Despite these challenges, Matt's family is safe, and he discusses the broader implications for fishing and local businesses.Mar...

Marvin Cash is joined by Brendan Ruch to discuss the current smallmouth fishing conditions in Pennsylvania as the season transitions into fall. Brendan shares insights about the recent bump in water levels that has improved fishing conditions, leading to a brief pre-spawn-like feeding frenzy. As the weather cools and water clarity increases, Brendan emphasizes the importance of adjusting tackle setups, including using longer leaders and smaller flies to adapt to the clearer water. He also discus...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Brendan Ruch for another Ruch Report. Brendan shares his observations on the current fall transition, including cooler temperatures and wetter conditions. He discusses the challenges and rewards of fishing in low water levels, where every cast can either be grass or bass. Brendan provides tips on bottom bouncing techniques and how to fish in grassy conditions without losing your mind.Listeners will appreciate Brendan's i...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Matt Reilly for another Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. They discuss the current transition period in smallmouth fishing, where water temperatures are fluctuating between the mid-sixties to upper seventies. Matt explains how recent rains have brought back power fishing techniques and how the fish are reacting to the changing conditions.Listeners will appreciate Matt's insights into reading weather and water conditions...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Brendan Ruch for another insightful Ruch Report. Brendan shares updates on the current fishing conditions, highlighting the mixed period of topwater and baitfish fishing. He provides tips on fishing buggy style during the day and baitfish patterns over weeds and boulders in the mornings and evenings. Brendan also discusses the seasonal behavior of baitfish and the importance of adapting fishing strategies accordingly.Don...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash checks in with Brendan Ruch for another Ruch Report. Brendan shares his recent experiences on the water, discussing the impact of fluctuating weather on fishing conditions. From wearing jackets in the morning to sweltering afternoons, Brendan provides a detailed account of the week's fishing activities, including using baitfish and crayfish patterns, as well as poppers in the afternoon. He also highlights the excitement of seeing damsels ou...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Matt Reilly for another comprehensive Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. They dive into the recent weather patterns, discussing the cooler temperatures and how they have impacted fishing conditions. Matt shares insights on how the tropical depression and fluctuating water levels have affected the smallmouth bite, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changing conditions.Matt provides a detailed overview of the curren...