Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 28
TREAD CAREFULLY
for
Summer
Smallmouth Bass
by Vic Attardo
photos by the author
Watch where you tread, there may be Smallmouth Bass
swimming nearby.
While fishing the Perkiomen Creek last summer, after
a year of high water and difficult conditions, I found
Smallmouth Bass immediately after stepping off the bank.
If I would have waded carelessly into the creek, a
southeast flow that holds its share of Smallmouth Bass and
panfish, I would have seen the darting of dark shapes as
fish fled my footsteps. The high water kept the fish out of
the deeper, heavier flows and pushed the fish to the sides.
The same was true with my few sojourns to the
Delaware River, which was equally affected by the excessive
precipitation. The year ended with rainfall totals 20 inches
above normal.
It just was not a good year for creek or river Smallmouth
Bass throughout most of the Susquehanna River and
Delaware River systems. But, looking for some fishing
opportunities, I occasionally braved the better days and
caught some bass and panfish, by working tight to the bank
or no deeper than my knees.
28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2019
Some trout anglers have learned the importance of
careful wading, particularly along the bank and in the
shallows. Careful wading should also be practiced by
Smallmouth Bass anglers.
When you approach a Smallmouth Bass flow, either in
high or low water, it is good to refrain from marching up to
the edge of the water and making your presence known. If
the best looking water appears to be away from the bank by
several yards, don't stomp up to the heavy water and start
casting. A key consideration is not only where your shadow
falls but the sound your footsteps make.
Over the years, anglers have told me that their shadows
do not cross the area they planned to fish. Perhaps, but fish
are also aware of approaching shadows or shadows that
are several yards away. Smallmouth Bass do not only flee
when a shadow covers a holding area but at the advance of
a shadow.
If, when you are wading, you only see escaping fish
beneath your shadow, you are missing fish that already
swam away when your shadow began stretching out.
One day on the Susquehanna River around Liverpool, I
had a learning experience while sitting on a rock with my
feet dangling in the water, following the fish and watching
the flight of a few seagulls and turkey vultures.
It was a sunny day and with polaroid sunglasses, I saw
bass, panfish and catfish working a nice edge. However,
www.gonefishingpa.com
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 24
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 26
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 32
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 34
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 36
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 38
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 40
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 42
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 45
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 52
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 54
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 55
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 56
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 57
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 63
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 64
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - Cover4
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