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

EPISODE SUMMARY

Guest: Brendan Ruch - Guide and Founder at Ruch Angling (Pennsylvania)

In this episode: Pennsylvania guide Brendan Ruch delivers his final seasonal fishing report for 2025, sharing critical insights for fall fishing strategies as water levels remain low and clear across the region. Topics include end-of-season conditions analysis, fish grouping behavior in low water, fall transition patterns and pre-spawn smallmouth booking opportunities.

Key fishing techniques covered:

• Low water fish location strategies
• Targeting grouped-up fish in concentrated holding areas
• Reading fall transition patterns
• Understanding summer-to-fall behavioral shifts

Location focus: Pennsylvania and Ohio rivers, Great Lakes region tributaries

Target species: Smallmouth bass 

Equipment discussed: Ruch Angling branded merchandise (hats, hoodies), topwater bugs, streamers

Key questions answered:

• What are current fall fishing conditions in Pennsylvania and Ohio
• How do low water levels affect fish behavior in fall
• When should anglers book pre-spawn smallmouth trips
• What is the final seasonal report for Great Lakes region fishing
• How to find grouped fish in low, clear water conditions

Best for: Intermediate to advanced anglers interested in smallmouth bass fishing strategies, seasonal transition patterns, Pennsylvania and Ohio fishing conditions and guide booking strategies for spring smallmouth

Marvin Cash00:00:00

Hey, folks, it's Marvin Cash, the host of the Articulate Fly.And we're back with the final Ruch Report of the season with the man himself, Brendan Ruch. Brendan, how are you?

Brendan Ruch00:00:12

Oh, just doing well. How are you?

Marvin Cash00:00:16

I'm getting there. Just trying to stay out of trouble. Where are you? Are you a PA or Ohio man?

Brendan Ruch00:00:20

This week I'm in Ohio. You know, just working.

Marvin Cash00:00:28

There you go. Remote work has its advantages. Thing's been on the water. I hear it's kind of low and clear, just like it is down here.

Brendan Ruch00:00:36

Yeah, pretty much.Like, I was out for a few days last week, and it just seems like summer conditions continuing, but fish are a little bit more grouped up, so you'll catch one and have a few followers and maybe have another opportunity in that spot. But yeah, just pretty disappointing water levels after having far too much month of June and some of July.

Marvin Cash00:01:02

Yeah, and I would imagine too, because you've been a little bit cooler than we are down here, that probably the bug thing is pretty much a no go at this point, right?

Brendan Ruch00:01:10

Yeah, I. I think maybe a week and a half ago, probably like there was. It was a hot day and I was thinking maybe throw some bugs, but it's kind of cooked right now.I don't think we're going to get another warmup for a while.

Marvin Cash00:01:23

Yeah, well, I don't. Yeah. When you say a while, you mean like May?

Brendan Ruch00:01:27

Yeah, you know, just like the length of the duration of winter.

Marvin Cash00:01:32

Fair enough. And so, you know, since this is our last Roosh report of the season, we're going to have a drawing.And before I announce the lucky winner, from all the folks that send in questions, all your adoring fans, by the way, you want to let folks know what they're drawn for.

Brendan Ruch00:01:45

Yeah, it's a rouge angling hat and a hoodie.

Marvin Cash00:01:50

Gotcha. Any tattoos? Anything good like that?

Brendan Ruch00:01:53

I don't have any gift cards or anything for tattoos at the moment.

Marvin Cash00:01:59

Well, there you go. Well, the lucky winner is Jacob Morton in Ontario. Yeah, it's kind of cool. I probably sent him some stickers probably about a month or so ago.And so, Jacob, I will hook you up with Brendan and he will take care of you.And since folks won't hear your voice for probably, I don't know, maybe five or six months, you want to let folks know, you know, one where they can find you on Tuesday nights.But all of your fly fishing show activity, and then probably most importantly from the guide part of the world is how to get on your boat for pre Spawn smallmouth.

Brendan Ruch00:02:30

Yeah. As far as getting in touch with me, Instagram's a pretty good way to do that. Just at Brendan Roosh.I will be at Bob in the Hood, which is at the end of January.

Marvin Cash00:02:44

And.

Brendan Ruch00:02:47

Yeah, Tuesday nights, 8:35ish, log jam live. And we've. We've missed a few weeks here just with me kind of settling into a new lifestyle. But we will be back at some point soon.

Marvin Cash00:02:59

There you go. And so you're not going to be in Edison?

Brendan Ruch00:03:03

I don't think so. It's very, very far from where I am currently. If that changes, I'll let you know.

Marvin Cash00:03:08

I gotcha. So does that mean you're going to go to the Midwest Expo?

Brendan Ruch00:03:13

Probably not, I think. Yeah, probably not.

Marvin Cash00:03:16

All right, fair enough.Well, listen, I know, you know, folks, just stay tuned because probably early in 2026, I'm going to bring Bre in on the butcher shop and we're going to take a deep dive into the nut job. But you know, folks, you know, you need to.

Brendan Ruch00:03:30

Don't call me that.

Marvin Cash00:03:31

I didn't call you a nut job. I. But you know, folks, in the dead of winter when you can't go fish, you're going to regret not getting out this fall.So I would tell you, you owe it yourself to get out there and catch a few. Tight lines, everybody. Tight lines. Brendan.

Brendan Ruch00:03:45

Take care, guys. Thanks for a fun season.