PA Smallmouth Bass Spring Recap, Summer Strategy & Gear Talk | TCO Flycast Ep. 9 - Mike Rosa

<p>In this episode of the TCO Flycast, Bill catches back up with Susquehanna River guide Mike Rosa for a full recap of a strange, unpredictable spring — and a look ahead at summer smallmouth strategy. Mike breaks down why this year threw every pattern out the window: a brutal winter freeze, cold water lingering into spring, and fish that wouldn&#39;t show up on schedule.</p><p>We dig into how Mike adapted — skipping the tributaries early to chase big fish in the main river, fishing oversized flies slow when nothing else worked, and reading a river that stayed high and off-color for months. From there we get into the summer transition: gear changes, leader tricks, grass and shade structure, and how a guide&#39;s daily game plan shifts from sunrise topwater to midday hunting.</p><p>Mike also shares his full rod and line lineup for the Susquehanna, a barrel swivel trick every angler should be using, an update on his guide lodge on the river, and advice for anyone wanting to try smallmouth fishing for the first time. We close out talking about the upcoming Bass Thumb Tournament and why fishing early in the day matters more than people think.</p><p>If you fish the Susquehanna — or want to start — this one&#39;s full of real, in-season insight you won&#39;t find anywhere else.</p><p>The best way to support this podcast is to choose TCO Fly Shop for all your fly fishing gear needs. Find our online store here:https://www.tcoflyfishing.com/?utm_source=spotify&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=flycast_ep9_mike_rosa</p><p>Bass Thumb Fly Fishing Tournament (July 9-11, benefiting Project Healing Waters &amp; Susquehanna Greenways): <a href="https://www.tcoflyfishing.com/products/bass-thumb-fly-fishing-tournament-2026"><u>https://www.tcoflyfishing.com/products/bass-thumb-fly-fishing-tournament-2026</u></a></p><p>Streambred Anglers Website: <a href="https://www.streambredanglers.com/"><u>https://www.streambredanglers.com/</u></a></p><p>Mike’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sba_flyfishing/<br>Chapters:</p><p>00:00 Intro &amp; Recapping the Spring Season</p><p>01:26 A Cold Winter and a Slow, Unpredictable Spring</p><p>02:15 Skipping the Tributaries for the Big Susquehanna</p><p>03:23 A Trout Fishing Detour During High Water</p><p>04:42 The Triple Deceiver: Mike&#39;s Dirty Water Go-To</p><p>06:02 Frog Season Starts Early and Never Stops</p><p>07:38 Why a Tough Puzzle Makes Guiding More Fun</p><p>08:34 Pre-Spawn to Post-Spawn: This Year&#39;s Timeline</p><p>10:24 Tributaries vs. Main River Right Now</p><p>11:27 Ice-Scarred Trees From a Brutal Winter</p><p>12:34 Slowing Down and Sizing Up in Tough Conditions</p><p>14:09 Gearing Up for the Summer Transition</p><p>15:30 Grass, Shade &amp; Structure: Summer Smallmouth 101</p><p>17:22 A Guide&#39;s Daily Game Plan</p><p>18:32 Hammocks, Lunch Breaks, and Island Life</p><p>19:09 Long Leaders for Low, Clear Water</p><p>19:40 The Barrel Swivel Trick Every Angler Should Know</p><p>21:33 Night Fishing on the Susquehanna</p><p>23:17 Previewing the Bass Thumb Tournament</p><p>24:30 Last Year&#39;s Tournament: Chasing Big Fish, Not Numbers</p><p>25:12 Sight Fishing vs. Blind Casting Grass Lines</p><p>27:09 Sizing Down Streamers for Summer</p><p>28:13 Retrieve Tricks and the Half &amp; Half</p><p>29:49 Crayfish Colors for Every Water Clarity</p><p>31:11 40+ Floats Later: Lessons From a Wild Spring</p><p>36:02 Sage Rod Lineup for the Susquehanna</p><p>38:58 Fly Lines for Wind and High Water</p><p>41:18 Why an 8-Weight Rules This River</p><p>41:42 An Update on the Guide Lodge</p><p>43:31 Advice for Beginners Trying Smallmouth</p><p>46:05 Creek Fishing Nostalgia</p><p>46:56 Final Words: Beat the Heat, Fish Early </p>