=L rr Pennsylvania DECEMBER 1984/800 ANThe Keystone State'sG Official FishingJE MagazineR As we pondered the results of the election and the effects that it may have, indirectly and directly, on the environment, we continue to be seriously concerned about the apathy of the American voter to important issues. Here in Pennsylvania, after experiencing what most would agree have been some of the dirtiest campaigns in our recall, with allegations, investigations, indictments, and convictions, one would think that the grass roots would rise up in righteous indignation over questionable candidates. With important issues over which to be concerned, it is possible that the people, tired of the insinuations, don't believe too much of what they read, see, and hear. On election night, nationwide projections made in many cases with less than one-third of the votes counted— especially on television—certainly created an atmosphere of apathy. In spite of the projected record turnouts and announcements all day that there were record turnouts, the reports at the end of the day indicated that only three-tenths of one percent more people voted in November 1984 than they did in November of 1980. Certainly the concerns of the Fish Commission are more related to the environment than to anything else, and we regret that very little attention was paid to environmental concerns during the campaigns by either side. Acid precipitation, reenactment of the Super Fund, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and even the implementation of a non-toxic shot program for waterfowl are items that surely concern us and should concern those who love the outdoors and its inhabitants. It seems that most Americans have voted for what may be short-term economic benefits with not enough thought about the future, and certainly of our progeny. For years the organized sportsmen in Pennsylvania have had a reputation as the front-line defense of fish, wildlife, clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic values of the environment. The organized sportsmen have wielded some considerable clout on Capitol Hill. Now we see some bickering among these people at the expense of our resources and we realize how badly we need a united front. Their job is tougher now because they must take the lead to overcome citizen apathy. Their task is a challenge that must be met with fervor, or we all will be the losers. <52L&p^ ad- O^UJ^ Pennsylvania ANGLER DECEMBER 1984 VOL. 53 NO. 12 Official Publication of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission The Ice Angler's Home Away from Home by Mike Bleech A Portability and comfort are the important considerations in buying or building a shelter. Here's some expert advice on how to get what you need. Your Frosty Panfish Bonanza by Rhume Streeter Q Pennsylvania panfish and ice fishing are naturals together. The ** author specifies how to up your score and where across the state to try your luck. New Tackle for Pennsylvania Anglers by Lefty Kreh •y o The latest fishing tackle manufacturers' catalog entries can help you score more in Pennsylvania, and the author reveals what's new. Home sweet shelter page 4 Night Ice by Rich Faler, Jr. 14 The author explains how ice fishing at night requires special skills and technique. Six Reasons Why You Get Skunked by Art Michaels Getting skunked is probably the worst angling—or nonangling 16 experience. Here are some specific ideas on how to catch fish on a much more regular basis. 22 Author Index—Volume 53 (January 1984 through December 1984) Pike Coiint y hotspots page 28 Streamer Fishing for Winter Trout by Harry W. Murray 24 Bundling up and digging out some streamers can drum up winter action. - m 1 28 County Features— Pike County by Dennis Scharadin :,^^^p^ Straight Talk 2 Anglers Currents 20 The Cover «rP <A :' 3 .V Anglers Notebook 20 i i j \ MI.. ^vi Mail 21 . The Angler staff wishes all our readers a happy j^fcfif'l- \ '•"! holiday season, and we hope your winter is mwr <¥ •PJflF cheered by family and friends, and by expecta­ ; m** i-U tions of the warmer weather and fishing and boat­ 1f$ Snowy trout action page 24 ing fun to come this spring. This month's cover iuJi Y9 &fw was painted by Ralph Phillips. mmwfc Staff ^gr^ EDITOR / Art Michaels PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION BOATING ADVISORY GRAPHICS / Ted Walke Ross J. Huhn, President BOARD PHOTOGRAPHER / Russ Gettig Saltsburg Clayton Buchanan, Chairman CIRCULATION / Eleanor Mutch Marilyn A. Black, Vice President Pittsburgh STAFF ASSISTANT / Jayne Povleski Meadville Nicholas Apfl Walter F. Gibbs Theodore T. Metzger, Jr. Fairless Hills POSTMASTER: Send 3579 forms to Pennsylvania Titusville Johnstown Charles Chattaway Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA Leonard A. Green Joan R. Plumly Monongahela 17105-1673, Pennsylvania Angler (ISSN0031-434X), Carlisle Jenkintown Sherwood Krum S1984 is published monthly. Second class postage paid at Harrisburg, PA. Subscription rates: one year, $5; three Calvin J. Kern Jerome E. Southerton Hawley years, $14; single copies are 80C each. For subscription and Whitehall Honesdale Leon Lyon change of address, contact Angler Circulation, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105- Robert L. Martin J. Wayne Yorks Bellefonte 1673. Address all other correspondence to: The Editor, Penn­ Bellefonte Benton sylvania Angler, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. The authors'views, ideas, and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official position of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission or its staff. Portability and comfort are the key ingredients to an ice shelter that best suits your needs. Here's how to make these elements work for you. The Ice Angler's Home Away From Home by Mike Bleech omfort is hard to come by out on the ice, when On lakes where anglers are permitted to leave their you're exposed to cold temperature, wind, and shelters on the ice for extended periods, some very C snow. A shelter from these elements provides the elaborate homes away from home have arisen. One only real comfort, but the shelter must either be dragged eccentric angler with an ample supply of funds and a or carried on the angler's back onto the ice, unless you sense of humor built a wood frame, clear-plastic-covered have a motorized ice vehicle, in which case there are still heated dwelling complete with a bar. Then he hired two limitations. The problem for ice anglers looking for bikini-clad waitresses to serve his guests. All this pomp comfort, then, is finding a shelter that can be transported occurred in slightly distorted view through the clear to the fishing area! plastic of dozens of other anglers shivering out on the open ice! Sled shelter Anglers have come up with some pretty good ideas to Framed shelter solve this problem. Some have dragged their childhood The most popular structure of this type (plastic over sleds out of storage and topped them with wooden wood frame) is a simple rectangular frame, eight feet boxes. These are probably the simplest ice shelters. Poles long, four to six feet deep, and six feet high. A small are attached to the corners of the box, and a tarp is heater keeps the temperature in these shelters above 50 draped around and over the poles. With a minimum of degrees with little effort. sewing skills, the tarp can be fitted to the dimensions of These semi-permanent ice shelters must be securely the poles for a better looking, more efficient shelter. anchored, or the first brisk wind leaves them scattered in Depending on the size of the sled and the box, which pieces all over the ice! also serves as a seat, this rig can shelter one or two Another type of shelter that has recently become anglers from the wind and snow, which is a major part popular is a folding plywood shelter on a skid. The walls in the quest to be warm. and roof either fold down onto the skid frame on hinges, One of the slickest ice shelters I have seen is a or assemble and disassemble quickly. These are the modification of the basic sled shelter. Two extra poles heaviest portable ice shelters, so they are the best in extend the size of the shelter, enclosing the anglers windy conditions. These shelters are about the most completely. The extra poles were placed into holes in the comfortable portable ones available, but the motorized ice and held firmly by wooden wedges. A small stove vehicles needed to drag them are not allowed or not keeps anglers and coffee warm! The major drawback to practical on many lakes. this style is its inability to stand up to strong wind. December 1984 5 . Portability and comfort a lot of wind. And any shelter that encloses the angler on How do you determine which type of ice shelter is best all sides can be warmed to a comfortable temperature. for you? First, you must recognize the important factors. Number one is portability. How much effort is required Pop-ups to get it from one place to another? Weight and bulk are The most portable ice shelters are the new pop-up tent critical, because it must be either carried or dragged. styles. When folded they can be slung over a shoulder, Moreover, it must be transported over ice. Your ice because their weight is insignificant. Out on the ice, they shelter absolutely must be small and light enough for you pop open in seconds, and can be kept comfortably warm to transport in cold, energy-sapping conditions.