Fishing has always been a passion, and I continue to take full advantage of what North Central PA has to offer. I am on the water an awful lot and usually head out after dinner. I haven’t had the chance of late. Teach and the kid are back in school, and work is getting in the way. But whenever there’s a free moment- you guessed it. I am usually in the middle of a local stream somewhere.

Some of my favorite holes are just a short drive or walk from the homestead. We live in the 17728 and Lycoming Creek runs through it. I rarely stay in the same spot and cross the water to gain better access. I am always on the move hence the term — extreme wading. Patent pending. Some like to jog or head to the gym, but I prefer to go for a four-mile wade to keep trim.

I am very loyal to Lycoming Creek. It is where I do 92% of my fishing. There is no need to travel when you routinely catch fish in the backyard. I have successfully navigated the entire waterway from its headwaters above Ralston all the way to the Susquehanna. Bodines to Camp Susque. The old airport and Powys. Haleeka to the 973 green bridge. Hepburnville and the Heshbon. High Street to Memorial. I’ve fished them all. OK, some spots are better than others and believe it or not I have my most luck within the city limits.

Lycoming Creek is a very unique and healthy stream. I lost count, but I have been very fortunate to catch all types of species: Rainbow, Brook, Brown, Golden, and even a Tiger. Most are stocked trout, but you would be surprised by the number of wilds. I’ve even landed a few Walleye and a small Muskie. Those encounters were totally unexpected, and I consider myself quite lucky. But none of these measure up to my number one.

Pound for pound, the Smallmouth Bass is perhaps the fiercest freshwater fish. Their strength and might are somewhat legendary, and they are my absolute favorite to catch. It’s sometimes called a Bronzeback or Smallie, and they are extremely popular to many of us anglers. The Smallmouth fishing in North Central PA is outstanding, and there is nothing better than battling one of these bruins after a well-placed cast. They are known for their above the water dramatics once they are hooked.

Smallmouth are usually brown, but their appearance can change. These red-eyed members of the Centrarchidae (Sunfish) family are sometimes black or even green depending on their waterways. Males are generally smaller than females, and their sizes can vary. Habitats play a significant role in their color, weight, and shape. Smallies from our nearby rocky creeks tend to have a streamline torpedo shape. Ones from the Susquehanna appear somewhat oval with more of a yellowish tone. Because it is intolerant to pollution, Smallmouth are a good indicator of stream quality and a healthy environment. It is highly carnivorous, and its diet consists of tadpoles, insects, other fish and especially crayfish. They can also adapt to sudden changes and warmer waters and are much more versatile than other trout. When the weather gets colder, Smallies will often migrate in search of deeper pools where they enter a semi-hibernation state. It is not unusual for these fish to travel 12 miles in a single day.

Smallmouth can be caught using a variety of methods. Anglers use a number of natural or artificial baits. Several of my friends catch them on a fly rod. Some prefer soft plastics, and others throw crankbaits. Personally, I am a huge fan of using some topwater plugs. I won’t completely reveal all of my secrets, but Heddon and Storm make my favorites. An ultralight spin rod with 4 lb test is usually my personal weapon of choice. Brace yourself, kids. They put up an unbelievable fight.

I tend to switch to Smallmouth Bass late in the spring when the water temperature warms. You might have seen me walking back to the car on Lycoming Creek Road. I’m also that guy who hangs out on the bank near Historic Bowman Field with a fishing pole. I snuck out for a few casts last week and managed to catch some monster Smallies near the bike path. I had the entire stretch to myself and was very surprised and amazed at the quality and size of the fish I was catching. I landed four gorgeous Bronzebacks that were over 16 inches. It was a great night out, and I am already making plans to head back this weekend. Anyone care to join? Cheers.