We all know the feeling, the eager anticipation, the restless excitement that builds as we prepare for an upcoming trip. The first item on the agenda is always preparing our gear and doing extensive research to ensure a successful journey. We meticulously check and double-check everything, leaving no room for error on the water. Seeking advice from others who have experienced the same adventure is also crucial in our preparation process. However, nothing compares to the night before as we lie in our beds with visions of big fish dancing through our heads. Tossing and turning with anxiousness, we can't help but feel a surge of adrenaline at the thought of finally landing that catch of a lifetime. And this evening was no different; except for the fact that I hadn't been smallmouth fishing in quite some time and this increased the excitement exponentially. Tomorrow morning, I would be venturing to the Juniata river - well-known for its abundance of large bass, especially big bass during this time of year. April is prime season for pre-spawn smallmouth that are hungry and ready to strike. As I continued to torture myself with sleeplessness, my mind couldn't help but drift to thoughts of these potential monsters tugging on my line just a few hours from now. As the alarm clock awoke me from an abbreviated night's rest I prepared to embark on my journey west to the Juniata River. The sky was still dark, with no sign of the sun yet, but it was a beautiful morning for traveling. I estimated the trip would take about two hours and used that time to finalize my plans in my head. My first stop was the convenience store for my daily ritual, I won't go into detail about that ritual. Second cup of coffee in hand, I made my way to the boat launch. Despite being an hour early, I parked my truck and sat on the tailgate, sipping my coffee and taking in the serene surroundings of the Juniata River. The crisp air, the sound of rushing water and birds singing their morning symphony put me at ease and filled me with a sense of peace. Before long, our guide Mike arrived in his impressive RO Drift boat. Memories flooded back as I watched him load up the boat and launch it into the river. I had been a guide myself many years ago, and remember purchasing one of the first RO Drift Boats manufactured. Watching Mike at work reminded me of all the hard work and dedication that goes into being a guide. It also made me appreciate how nice it was to be just a guest this time around. Mike Rosa, Stream Bred Anglers, is an expert Smallmouth guide on not only the Juniata River, but also on the Susquehanna and other streams in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. I had the pleasure to meet Mike through my local fly fishing club and was immediately impressed by his extensive knowledge, friendly personality, and undeniable passion for fishing. Without hesitation, I had booked him for this highly anticipated smallmouth trip. I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of my long-time friend, Vince, whom I affectionately referred to as Magumbo - a nickname with a story that could fill a book. As Magumbo rolled up, the party was about to begin. Bursting with energy and a love for fly fishing, Magumbo was always ready for some good-natured ribbing. With our gear loaded up, we pushed off from the shore and onto the river. As we sat on the tranquil water, Mike took a moment to show us his special technique for catching bass. The first step: bouncing a crawfish pattern off the bottom. We quickly rigged up and started drifting down the river. On just my second cast, I felt a strong tug on my line - clearly Mike's techniques were effective. Confidence soaring, I engaged in an exhilarating battle with the smallmouth bass that had taken my fly. After a few tense moments, I finally brought it to net - a perfect specimen with striped markings along its side and a striking red eye that seemed to stare right back at me. The day was just about perfect, temperature hovering around mid 50's and just a slight breeze. Our guide Mike was very happy as he explained the last few days were ruined by heavy winds. I was thanking the fish gods for this day. As we cast our lines, it wasn't long before several fish were caught, but it was my buddy Magumbo who got the big fish MOJO going with a beautiful, healthy plump 18 inch smallmouth. Magumbo threw down the gauntlet and set the standard high, so it was my only response to catch a bigger fish. Not long after Magumbo's catch I hooked a big smallmouth bass, fought it valiantly but the fish gods were not in my favor and the bugger threw the hook right at the boat. I have to go on the guides opinion of 19 inches because we never got the fish to the measuring tape. Therefore Magumbo was still high rod so far!! Despite losing that first big catch, I wasn't discouraged and soon enough, I got another bite from a large bass. This time, our efforts paid off and we were able to reel him in and measure him - a beautiful plump 18 inches smallmouth bass! The 19 inch bass would have put me top spot on the leaderboard but I was happy to share the spot with my friend! As the sun shone brightly and the waters were calm, we thought it would be a perfect day of fishing. However, just as we settled into our lunch spot, the wind suddenly picked up and the temperature dropped. A sudden drop in temperature can dramatically alter the behavior of smallmouth bass, particularly when it comes to their feeding habits. The once active and voracious fish may become sluggish and uninterested in feeding, seeking shelter in deeper, warmer waters. This change in behavior can be frustrating for anglers, but it also adds a new level of challenge and excitement to the sport of fishing. Only the most skilled and patient fishermen will be able to entice these elusive creatures to bite in such conditions. As if mocking our frustration, the. sharp gusts of wind, never eased up making it nearly impossible to navigate our boat and continue our fishing expedition. Poor Mike's arms strained as he battled against the waves, determined to row us back to our take out launch Fish were caught not not as frequently as in the morning hours and our afternoon on the water quickly turned into a test of endurance and skill. The once peaceful river now produced whitecaps. Just as we were about to call it a day, Mike's determination prevailed. He urged me to cast my line near the boat launch, promising that there might still be some luck left in those waters. And sure enough, after a few casts, we hooked a nice bass just before sunset. With fish caught and spirits lifted, we finally made our way to the launch. It had been a challenging afternoon, but being out on the water with my good friend Magumbo and new friend Mike made it all worth it. I realized how much I had missed fishing in this area and vowed to make it a regular trip next year. As we gathered at the launch and reminisced about our day, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this unforgettable fishing adventure
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