S7, Ep 56: Low Water, Big Fish: Early Summer Tactics with Matt Reilly

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Matt Reilly for the latest Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. As Matt embarks on a tarpon fishing adventure, he shares insights on the current fishing conditions back home, highlighting the transition into early summer patterns. With water temperatures on the rise, Matt discusses the smallmouth's shift in diet, focusing on their increased interest in crayfish during this time of year.

Listeners will learn about the effectiveness of topwater presentations, especially when targeting darker fish that are more likely to bite. Matt emphasizes the importance of adapting techniques to the conditions, noting that while he enjoys topwater fishing, going subsurface has been more productive lately. He also touches on the expectations for the baitfish bite as summer progresses and the conditions change.

As the conversation flows, Matt reveals his availability for upcoming trips, including musky dates in the fall and winter. He encourages listeners to reach out for bookings and to stay connected for the latest updates and opportunities.

This episode is a treasure trove of practical fishing advice and engaging discussions that will inspire anglers to make the most of their summer fishing experiences.

To learn more about Matt, check out our full length interview.

Related Content

S6, Ep 112 - Smallmouth Transitions and Musky Prep: Matt Reilly's Southwest VA Update

S7, Ep 19 - Weathering the Winds: March Fishing Insights and Pre-Spawn Strategies with Matt Reilly

S7, Ep 1 - Winter Fly Tying and Pre-Spawn Tips with Matt Reilly

S6, Ep 146 - Musky Mysteries: Winter Tactics and Fly Tying Tips with Matt Reilly

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Episode Transcript

(00:04):
Hey folks, it's Marvin Cash,the host of the Articulate Fly. We're
back with another southwestVirginia fishing report with Matt
Reilly. Matt, how are you doing?
Good, man. How are you?
Just trying to stay out oftrouble. And so you're screaming
down what, 77 or 81 headingdown to Tarpon Fish, right?
Yeah, yeah, we are. I thinkwe're on 40, 26. Maybe we have made

(00:27):
it that far, but I think wemight, might hit a truck stop at
midnight for a couple hoursand then be at a boat ramp at 7:30,
I think. So we'll see how it goes.
Yeah, that's a young man's game.
Yeah. Yeah, exactly.
So, well, I know you're takinga nice break and it's kind of ironic,

(00:47):
right? I mean it's. So we'rerecording this on Tuesday. It is
a scorcher in the midAtlantic. And you're telling me that
you think you're Gulf coastweather is going to actually be better
than it is in the mid Atlantic.
I, man, I'm crossing myfingers. It was pretty rough at home
today. But you know, I thinkit's going to get better over the
next couple of weeks fairlysubstantially. So we'll, we'll see

(01:10):
how it goes.
There you go. And you know,while watching your, your social
media looks like you'vewrapped up Virginia cicadas. So what
do you expect when you getback from Tarpon fishing?
Yeah, we. So I mean, I fishcicadas in a bunch of different states,
but sort of the northernmostof what's, you know, within three

(01:31):
or four hours of me is prettymuch done, has been for a week or
more and been out smallmouthfishing a couple of times since then.
And we are in sort of a sortof predictable early summer pattern
right now from the looks ofit, where we've got fish willing

(01:55):
to eat top water for sure.Water temps are warming up rapidly,
especially with the hotweather. So that'll kind of lean
into the bug game a littlebit. But typically early summer we'll
see a sort of a focus oncrayfish, which is, you know, sounds
kind of nuts to say the fishare eating a lot of crayfish. Cause

(02:16):
smallmouth all a lot ofcrayfish. But there seems to be about
a week or two, late June,early July, where they really focus
on them. I don't know if youcan really associate that with a
molting process or, or what itis. But you know, the last couple
times I've been out, there'sbeen a very strong focus on the bottom,

(02:39):
you know, even in real low,clear water with sun, that would
normally be really good bugfishing conditions here in another
month or so where, you know,they're just kind of sort of apathetic
to the, to the top waterpresentation. But going subsurface
is, is putting more fish inthe boat. So that's what I've been

(03:02):
seeing, definitely catchingfish on top water, especially seeing
fish, you know, if you seethem cruising, the darker fish, for
whatever reason, always seemto be the ones that are buggier than
the rest. So, you know, if yousee a real dark fish cruising a flat
someplace in the sun, youknow, I'd bet a lot of money that

(03:22):
they'd eat a bug. Butotherwise, I'm not really forcing
the top water thing right nowlike I will in another. Another month
or so.
Got it. And so, you know, Iguess, you know, as we get a little
bit deeper into summer, too,right. The bait fish bite will get
a little bit better, right?
You know, it might. I, Ireally don't do a ton of streamer

(03:46):
fishing through the mid andlate summer, especially if we have
low, clear water and hotwater, because that's just when the
bug really shines. Andfrankly, if you're targeting big
fish and you have thoseconditions, that's, that's what you
need to do naturally. Ifyou've got higher flows or dirty
water or something, it, it'llpay, pay off. But, but no, I, I,

(04:10):
you know, fingers crossed,Won't be doing a ton of streamer
fishing over the next threemonths or so.
Yeah, well, we could alwaysget some rain. Right. But, and as
I always lament, like, I stilldon't buy the fact that it's 10 degrees
cooler where you are. And, youknow, it seems to me the fish are
always in the shade and I'mwearing my sombrero, getting roasted
out on the river.
Yep. Sometimes we're in thesun. Those are the ones we like.

(04:34):
Yeah. It doesn't seem to be myluck. And I don't know, I mean, it's.
Makes for a long day on the water.
Yeah, it can for sure.
Yeah. And so it's kind offunny, I was gonna, you know, pimp
your open days and your emailyou sent out, I don't know, a day
or two maybe it was on Sunday,and you said you're already booked
up, so, you know, you want tolet folks know before I let you keep

(04:54):
on cruising on down the road,kind of what you have available kind
of deeper into the fall. AndI'm sure You're already starting
to think about muskie dates?
Yeah. So, I mean, I think Ihave a couple days in mid October
left if you want to get inthis year, but. And you know, I say
always check. Check with me ifyou have some free time, pop up and

(05:16):
want to do something, becauseI do have cancellations come up,
and I'll put those out throughmy email and things, too, but otherwise,
yeah, we're looking at, like,sort of December, January, February,
muskie dates. And, you know,probably won't book too much further
out than that right now, butthat's. That's what we're looking

(05:38):
at.
Well, that's awesome. Well,you know, folks, remember, we love
questions on the articulatefly. You can email me or DM me on
social media. Whatever'seasiest for you. And if we use your
question, I will send you somearticulate fly swag, which, as I've
been saying these days, I'llprobably throw in a butcher shop
sticker or two and we'll heara drawing for some cool stuff for
Matt. And, Matt, you want tolet folks know where they can find

(05:59):
you so, you know, maybe theycan get in your muskie calendar.
Yeah, the website's MattReillyFly fishing dot com. All my
contact info and everything'son there, so feel free to reach out
however you feel best.
Yeah. Well, there you go.Well, I hope you have a productive
tarpon trip and enjoy the coolweather in Florida.
Hey, thanks, man.
Absolutely. Well, folks, asalways, say stay cool and yo it yourself

(06:22):
to get out there and catch afew. Tight lines, everybody. Tight
lines, Matt.
Thanks, Marv.