Anybody know what’s going on with the North Branch? I’ve been fishing in the vicinity of Falls (downstream from Tunkhannock) since the mid '70’s and on a good day I can pull 4 to six smallmouth per hour from the river. I hadn’t fished there for several years and when I returned two years ago I couldn’t catch a single smallmouth. For the last two years all I caught were what I believe are juvenile walleye. I’m not sure, since I never fished for that species. Before this, I never caught a single one of this species. I noticed that I can’t find any minnows or crayfish in the shallows, but the bottom is covered with a gray-olive colored moss out to a depth of 2 to 3 feet of water and the rocks are covered with a scattering of what looks like small snails. I never have seen this situation before. I have always spooked plenty of minnows and crayfish when wading out into the river. Now, nothing.
I usually fish below the Juniata junction in the Marysville area and the fishing has downright stunk for the last 4 years. Before the big floods in 2003 & 2004 I was averaging 50-75 fish a day; since then 4!
I went a week ago and between myself and three other guys on the river 4 small fish were caught. I did see zillions of crayfish so It wasn’t a lack of food. Many blame pollution or other man made reasons but all I know is before the flooding in 2001-2002 things were pretty good. The river was almost unapproachable due to flooding in 2003-2004 and when I finally went back in 2005; it just wasn’t the same.
I’ve decided to cross it off my list of fishing destinations for the next few years.
I had heard something about disease effecting the smallie populations. Whatever it is, it’s pretty sad.
i also posted on thewarm water forum, but will post here to. off the fish comm. web site they say flavobacterium columare did the fish in. this was caused by soil and water bacteria and optimum growth temperatures of this bacteria is 82-86 degrees. this was in the year 2005 . as in the post here , i to did’t see any clayfish or small fish up at W B on tuesday. but at millerburg there are lots of small fish and tons of clayfish. i wish i could put in the boat as many as the guide up on the north branch said he did last year 11000 bass, from a sick river. flyman 3 pottsville
Here are some answers to your questions about the current state of the Susky from the site of a recently formed organization to help the river. HTH.