S8, Ep 48: Summer Heat Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Tips
Episode Overview
A scorching Fourth of July heat wave is bearing down on Central Pennsylvania, and the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers are about to test every smallmouth angler's heat tolerance. On this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for a candid, safety-first conversation about fishing smallmouth bass through triple-digit conditions.
With water temperatures pushing into the 90s and a 101-degree forecast on the horizon, Brian breaks down how heat affects both the bite and angler safety on his home waters. The Juniata offers some bankside shade thanks to its narrower channel, while the three-quarter-mile-wide Susquehanna leaves anglers largely exposed. Brian and Marvin trade practical advice on hydration, sun protection and timing strategy, then dig into the tactical adjustments that keep smallmouth on the line when conditions turn brutal. That includes a hard pivot to tropical fly lines once standard fly lines start going soupy in the heat, plus a shade-line and riffle-focused approach using poppers, crayfish patterns and baitfish imitations like the Murdich Minnow. The two also debate the merits of an early-morning session versus a late-afternoon-into-dark float, with Brian making a clear case for the latter. It is a short, practical episode built around one core message: protect yourself first, then adapt your tactics to the heat.
Key Takeaways
- How to stay hydrated and avoid heat-related risks while fishing smallmouth in 100-plus-degree conditions
- Why tropical fly lines outperform standard fly lines once summer heat sets in
- When to fish for the best results during a heat wave: a late-afternoon-into-dark session over an early-morning start
- How to use shade lines and oxygenated riffles to locate active smallmouth during the hottest part of the day
- Which fly patterns to throw when water temperatures push into the 90s, including poppers, crayfish patterns and baitfish imitations like the Murdich Minnow
- Why caffeine and alcohol should be avoided in favor of water and sports drinks on extreme-heat fishing days
Techniques & Gear Covered
Brian outlines a shade-line and riffle-focused approach for fishing smallmouth through extreme summer heat, working topwater poppers along shaded banks and rolling crayfish patterns through riffles where oxygen levels run higher. For subsurface presentations, he reaches for baitfish imitations including the Murdich Minnow and Shimmering Minnow patterns. The single biggest gear adjustment for this stretch of summer is the fly line itself: Brian made the switch to tropical lines years ago, since standard fly lines turn soft and sticky once water and air temperatures climb to summer levels. On the sun-protection side, the conversation covers sun hoodies with built-in buff gaiters, quick-dry SPF nylon pants and wide-brim hats as practical defenses against extended midday exposure on open water like the Susquehanna.
Locations & Species
This report centers on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania, Brian's primary guide waters out of Susquehanna River Guides. Smallmouth bass are the target species throughout. The conversation is framed around peak summer heat conditions heading into the Fourth of July, with water temperatures pushing into the 90s and air temperatures forecast to hit 101 degrees. The Juniata's narrower channel and tree-lined banks provide more shade options than the much wider Susquehanna, where shade is largely limited to the banks themselves, making shade-line and riffle strategy especially important on the bigger river during this stretch.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Why do tropical fly lines work better than standard fly lines for summer smallmouth fishing?
Standard fly lines turn soft and sticky as water and air temperatures climb to summer levels, making them difficult to cast and fish effectively. Tropical lines are built to hold their stiffness and performance in high heat, which is why Brian made the permanent switch starting around July and continuing through early September.
How can anglers stay safe while fly fishing in extreme heat?
Brian and Marvin recommend drinking water at least every 30 to 45 minutes throughout the day, and avoiding both alcohol and caffeine since both contribute to dehydration. Full sun coverage matters too, including 50 SPF sunscreen, sun hoodies with built-in gaiters, quick-dry SPF clothing and a wide-brim hat, even when fishing in or near shade.
What time of day is best for fishing smallmouth bass during a heat wave?
Brian prefers getting on the water around 5 p.m. and fishing until dark, rather than starting at first light. A late-afternoon start avoids the pre-dawn shuttle logistics of an early session while still delivering enough usable light to fish productively until around 9 or 9:15 p.m.
What fly patterns work best for smallmouth bass when water temperatures push into the 90s?
Topwater poppers worked along shade lines remain effective, and crayfish patterns produce well when fished through oxygenated riffles. For baitfish presentations, Brian reaches for the Murdich Minnow and Shimmering Minnow patterns.
How can anglers find productive water on a wide river like the Susquehanna during peak summer heat?
Since the three-quarter-mile-wide Susquehanna offers little overhead shade beyond its banks, Brian focuses on fishing the available shade lines along the banks combined with oxygenated riffle sections, rather than expecting shade relief across the open channel the way a narrower river like the Juniata provides.
Related Content
S8, Ep 43: Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Report
S8, Ep 39: High Water Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Insights
S8, Ep 34: Frog Patterns and Fishing Strategies: Brian Shumaker's Late Spring Smallmouth Report
S8, Ep 31: Chasing Smallmouth: Brian Shumaker's Adaptations for Unpredictable Spring Weather
S8, Ep 46: Low Water, Big Bugs: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing Update
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Hey, folks, it's Marvin Cash, the host of The Articulate Fly. We're back with another Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report with the man himself, Captain Brian Shumaker. Brian, how are you?
Brian ShumakerI'm doing well, Marvin. How about yourself?
Marvin CashI tell you, dude, it's getting warm, and it's going to get warmer. I'm just trying to stay cool.
Brian ShumakerI hear you there. Because it's just the start of it.
Marvin CashYeah. So, you know, sliding into the Fourth of July. So I'm down in the Carolinas, Brian's up in Pennsylvania.We're both going to be breaking the century mark. I'll actually be home in Virginia for the 4th.And, you know, I think we can comfortably say it's definitely warm enough for the bugs, but probably too warm for the humans.
Brian ShumakerI totally agree with you there it is going to be a real scorcher. We're supposed to get 101 is what they're forecasting. It's going to be a little uncomfortable out there, to say the least. I can tell you this much.I know one guy that will be getting in the water a couple times each day, and that is yours truly. Just to cool off.
Marvin CashYeah. And it's kind of interesting, right? Cause there are kind of two issues. One is, like, that level of heat really kind of affects the bite.But then there's also just kind of the angler, comfort and safety component of it as well.
Brian ShumakerOh, absolutely. You gotta keep hydrated. Hydrate, hydrate.You know, you gotta at least be drinking a bottle of water at least every half hour, if not every 45 minutes just to keep yourself hydrated, you know, because it's kind of interesting. On my. My primary water is the Susquehanna and Juniata River.Juniata, you can get some shade because it's a smaller river and you got, you know, you have the trees on the. On both banks and stuff, so you can get into some shade.You get out there on the Susquehanna river, it's three quarters of a mile wide, and the only shade you have are on the banks. But you don't get a lot of shade out on the Susquehanna.
Marvin CashYeah.And I would add on the hydration thing, we were talking about this before we started recording, you know, is, you know, a cold beer is awesome, like after you cut the grass. But it's a really bad idea on hot days like this. You got to wait until you get off the water. It'll absolutely dehydrate you.
Brian ShumakerOh, absolutely, Absolutely. Even caffeine will dehydrate you.You know, so basically, you want to Stick with water or, you know, like sports drink Gatorade or something like that. Yeah, you, you gotta really try to avoid the caffeine on these hot days like this too.
Marvin CashYeah.And then I would also say, despite the fact that you want to be comfortable, you know, even with 50 SPF sunscreen, dude, you gotta cover up everything. Right. And also too. Right. You know, be smart and, you know, wear socks with your sandals.
Brian ShumakerWell, I hate to say this, that I agree with you, but that's not something I can do. I can't wear socks and because I get in and out of the water and I can't stand to have, you know, have my feet be wet like that all day.At least in sandals, you know, your feet will dry out. But dag, boy, I can't wear socks with my sandals. Yeah.
Marvin CashI would say though, I've, I've gotten the, the, the keen sandal tan before and it's pretty painful.
Brian ShumakerOh, I, Yeah. Well, mine starts, usually it's in, starts in May and I'm looking at my foot and it's pretty good shape for the Keen this time of year.
Marvin CashYeah. You know, so folks, I would say, you know, the great thing is we've got these great sun hoodies now, Right.And a lot of them have the buff gaiters built into them and also too, the kind of quick dry SPF nylon pants and so you can kind of stay dry. And you know, I, I don't know about you. I've got a, a straw cowboy hat that I bought out in Montana that I crack out when it's a hundred degrees.And you really need the sun cover in the shade, right?
Brian ShumakerOh, absolutely, absolutely. I got one. I actually got down in the Caribbean and it's got a big wide brim. Yeah. Anything you can do is to keep yourself covered.
Marvin CashYeah. And so, you know, when it's hot like this, I don't know, you probably are rolling with like tropical lines all the time.But I mean, you know, folks, you also have to kind of be mindful if you're fishing like a trout type line for smallmouth, they're going to get kind of soupy and sticky in this kind of heat, right?
Brian ShumakerOh, absolutely, absolutely. Fishing. The tropical lines started going to them quite a few years ago. That's the ticket for.Especially when you start getting into July, August and even the early part of September. Yeah. If you don't, I mean, it's almost like the fly line melts in a way. You know, just clings to everything.So the tropical lines are your best Bet for this time of year.
Marvin CashYeah.And so, you know, you know, if you're lucky, right, you can start early and kind of get off the water before it gets crazy hot, but then you know, kind of shift into the bite, you know.If you're talking about water temperatures pushing into the 90s, what do you expect when you go out on a day like any of the days this week and probably into early next week?
Brian ShumakerWell, I mean you can fish the shade, still fish the shade lines with, with your top water, with your bugs and stuff like that. Your poppers, crayfish are going to be another good pattern to use if you get into the riffles where it's a little bit more oxygenated.You know, you can roll crayfish down through there. Murdich minnows, shimmering minnows, little bait fish patterns.Yeah, that's sort of the game you're going to play is you're going to have to play the shade game and you know, like to play the riffle game too as well.
Marvin CashYeah.And if you were to trying to pick between like an early morning off the water early session or starting like late afternoon and fish into dark, which would you kind of prefer this time of year?
Brian ShumakerI prefer, I would probably prefer going later and fishing into, into the. Till it gets dark is the way I like to do it. I mean the early bite you, I mean you'd have to get out there.It gets daylight, quarter after 5, 5:30 in the morning. So you'd be meeting probably somewhere around 4:30. You know, do you run the shuttles and everything to be there at first light?So I'd probably stick with, for me personally, I would do the late afternoon into dark, get on the water around 5 o' clock and you know, you, you can still fish till nine, quarter after nine or so like that, you still got enough light.
Marvin CashYeah, it makes the steak and the gin and tonics taste a whole lot better too, doesn't it?
Brian ShumakerOh, absolutely, absolutely.
Marvin CashSo I know you've, you're pretty well booked up probably until the back half of the season, but you want to let folks know kind of how to get in touch and you know what you have available on your calendar and all that kind of good stuff.
Brian ShumakerSure. I got, I got like three days left towards the end of July and probably about four days left in August.September still has a few more dates and October does as well. You can reach me, call or text at 717-574-5338 and if you call, call me. Best time's going to be in the evenings to get a hold of me.You can also go to my website, www.susqriverguides.com. Um, you can also check me out on Instagram at @susqguide. Um, that's how you can get ahold of me.
Marvin CashWell, there you go.And you know, I would say, too, folks, if you got a question for Brian, you got a smallmouth question, email me or DM me and we'll see if we can't get into the rotation on the show. And I would say too, you know, pretty hot, kind of going to be a dry summer, I think, you know, so you owe it yourself to get out there.But I would say stay hydrated, get some sunscreen on and have fun and get out there and catch a few. But I also want to wish everybody a happy fourth of July. Happy fourth of July, Brian.
Brian ShumakerHappy fourth of July, Marvin.
Marvin CashTight lines, everybody.
