MARCH, 1969 'SttrSTZVANIJL the„ Keystone State's Official FISHING BOATING Magazine... ^ 2L Bgkp Single Copy CONSERVATION VIEWPOINT by ROBERT J. BIELO Executive Director
FISHWAYS—PART II
The long standing issue of obtaining fish passage facilities at Conowingo Dam, which is located in Maryland and which blocks any upstream migration of American shad, striped bass or other migrating fish can be resolved. Fishways of several types have been proven successful and in many places where American shad occur, fishways do pass shad each year. Additionally, a long and detailed study has proven the Susquehanna River is suit able for incubation, hatching, and survival of shad eggs and larvae. The same study established that the river is suitable for the development of young shad. It also was shown that young shad can successfully migrate downstream and pass through the im poundments and through the dams that block upstream movement. Even more significant was the finding of 13 juvenile shad that logically were the progeny of adults stocked above the dams. These 13 specimens presumably are the first shad naturally propagated in the Sus quehanna River in Pennsylvania since 1928 when the Conowingo Dam sealed off this great stream from the natural occurring up stream runs of marine fish. Seemingly there is much strong evidence that the Susquehanna River can once again serve to bring American shad and striped bass to Pennsylvania. In view of this biological and engineering evidence we must assume the real barriers to free movement of shad in our river are in the minds of men—men who hesitate to take the step that will truly prove once and for all whether or not fish that have moved upstream to the base of Conowingo Dam can be attracted into a fish trapping device for passage over the dam. This trapping device is essentially the first part of a permanent fishway and is ex pensive. However, until this crucial biological and engineering effort is made the matter remains at a standstill. The argument by those who wish to continue studying this matter and who believe much more evidence is needed before undertaking the design and construction of a basic trapping facility is that if it doesn't work someone will be embarrassed. After forty years of delay in resolving this loss of a potentially great recreational resource it seems there should be little room for more embarrassment. Pennsylvanians want action that goes directly to the question—can we build fishways that will work or can't we and this question can only be answered after we take the first step and build the attraction and trapping device and operate it for a few years. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER EXECUTIVE OFFICE Box 167a-Harrisburg, Pa. 17120 Published Monthly by the Executive Director PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION ROBERT J. BIELO COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Administrative Secretary RALPH PUTT Assistant Director, Fisheries Raymond P. Shafer, Governor GORDON L. TREMBLEY ^Ktant Director, Waterways • CAPT. C. E. LEISING Assistant to Director WARREN W. SINGER PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION Comptroller w JOHN M. SMITH DOUGLAS McWILLIAMS, President Bear Gap VISIONS. CLARENCE DIETZ, Vice President Bedford GERARD J. ADAMS Hawley FRANK E. MASLAND, JR. . . Carlisle Education and Training WALLACE C. DEAN Meadville ROBERT M. RANKIN Galeton Division Chief HOWARD R. HEINY . . . Williamsport R. STANLEY SMITH .. Waynesburg WILLARD T. JOHNS Special Publications CALVIN J. KERN Whitehall George Forrest Audio-Visual Aids n Jim Yoder PENNSYLVANIA'S OFFICIAL FISHING AND BOATING MAGAZINE p ^tackhouse Training School av" Antolosky, Superintendent Engineering t,^ Division Chief MARCH 1969 VOL. 38 NO. 3 tDWARD R. MILLER, P.E. deader, Plans and Surveys Section lead Wilbert F. Hobbs IN THIS ISSUE er> Design and Inspection Section T Roy R. Frank, P.E. deader, Construction Section 2 LEAKY BOOTS—Letters From Our Readers e"der hr • ^uSene B- Smith 4 FISHING OUTLOOK—Stan Paulakovich > Maintenance b- Operations Section Edward C. O'Hara 5 COMING Fisheries 6 SUCKER SEASON—Tom Eggler/Steve Szalewicz Division Chief 8 GROW YOUR OWN—Dallas P. Kerr A , KEEN BUSS distant Chief, Research Section 10 PENNSYLVANIA'S MUSKIES—LeRoy Sorenson A . Arthur Bradford 12 CRAZY CRAPPIE—Albert G. Shimmel distant Chief, Trout Production As^ Kenneth Corl 13 MODERN CAMPING—Del & Lois Kerr a nt Chief, Warmwater Production 14 THE SEABAG—Robert G. Miller -'oope. .. Shyrl Hood wnve Nursery Program Coordinator 15 STOCKING STARTS—Tom Eggler tf A rp Robert H. Brown 18 NOTES FROM THE STREAMS—Waterways Patrolmen JeH^CHERY SUPERINTENDENTS ^rinern«te~rGeorge Magargel 19 FISHING IN PENNSYLVANIA—Jim Valentine -orry irPnnSs—Ray McCreary 24 TYING A MIDGE PUPA—Chauncy K. Lively ^UnfVj ilon City—LeRoy Sorenson 3?0 Jed Dingle Jr. (acting) 28 NEW CHAMPS—Steve Szalewicz W„ i Mount—Charles Sanderson 29 FISH TALES—Pictures From Our Readers l°WsdaIe—Warren Hammer 32 CASTING WITH THE CO-OPS—Bill Porter Law Enforcement 33 BOATING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS—Capt. Jack Ross Division Chief HAROLD CORBIN Cover Photo/BOB BROWN teg; Regional Supervisors n e 'honp °? LEE F. SHORTEES ( l4 75 «girm ?, - 5-8811 Tionesta 16353 D. THOMAS EGGLER, EDITOR Ce £7, JOHN I. BUCK tegioJ °W445-4913 Somerset 15501 hree 'hon«. ,, CLAIR FLEECER POSTMASTER: All 3579 forms to be returned to The Haddon Craftsmen, Inc., 17 fegi"" J, -477-5717 .. Sweet Valley 18656 1001 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509. Vi? ^?ur MILES WITT c- '17-273-2601, Ex. 86, Annville 17003 The PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Subscription: One year—$2.00; three years—$5.00; Marine Services 25 cents per single copy. Send check or money order payable to Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Division Chief DO NOT SEND STAMPS. Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk. Change of address PAUL MARTIN, JR. should reach us promptly. Furnish both old and new addresses. Second Class Postage paid at Technical Services Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, or additional mailing offices. Neither Publisher nor Editor will assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or illustrations while in their possesion or in transit. ^ Per Dean Klinger mission to reprint will be given provided we receive marked copies and credit is given material or Real Estate illustrations. Communications pertaining to manuscripts, material or illustrations should be addressed to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. NOTICE: Subscriptions Division Chief received after the 10th of each month will begin with the second month following. PAUL O'BRIEN In closing I'd like to thank you very much for read* my letter. I think the Pennsylvania Fish Commission o" a very good job. My comments are in the best interest 1 the good sportsmen, not the "fish hogs" who want a 'li creel every time they go fishing.
Larry Souchak, Mahoning City
NOVICE SPINNING SUCCESS NO BOATING, CAMPING
Gentlemen: Gendemen: I'll venture to say that all readers of the Angler rece'1 I have been reading your Pennsylvania Angler for quite one outdoor magazine and over fifty percent more than o'1' some time and I enjoy it very much. Your section called in which we get all the dope on boating and camping tM Leaky Boots is very good and the letters from other readers we need. We want the Angler for information on angW are very interesting. So at this time, if I may, I'd like to in Pennsylvania, fly tying and stream conservation ne$ speak out regarding the trout situation here in Pennsylvania Please no more historical (Pithole) stuff. It was intere- from my viewpoint. ing, but made no mention of the pollution that took pla^ First let me talk about the advent of spinning years ago. When trout were planted in our bigger streams they had a Jim Bray, Guys Mills chance to survive the early season pressure as the average fisherman couldn't get to them. Today anyone can put on two or perhaps three buck shot and make a cast across most of our creeks. The result is that more fish are taken not by the expert but by the novice. Anyone can be a master fish erman in an hour or two. Why can't some of our trout FRONT TO BACK creeks be off limits to spin fishermen? Gentlemen: I would also like to see a special trout stamp issued. The extra money could be put to use in a good many ways to I was particularly interested in Mr. E. H. Blackbur'1 improve fishing. I also think the age of a license could be letter in the December issue of the Angler describing \ lowered to, say 14, as children can quickly be experts be solution to the south-paw fly tyer's dilemma. His metb0, cause of spinning gear. of hackling dry flies front to back, with the tie-off belli'1, the hackle, is one used extensively by the late Paul *, I would also like to see the return of the fishing button, Young of Detroit who, in his day, was one of the natiol as it was easy to spot. Today when you go fishing it's hard finest fly dressers. Mr. Young's book, "Making and Usi'1' to see if those fishing beside you have a license. The ma the Fly and Leader," fully describes the method. Pi jority of fishermen I encounter on the creeks have their Young was a right-hander but his logic was much the sa^ licenses in their pockets—or they have none at all. as Mr. Blackburn's, stated thus in the book: "My aim in making the finishing knots at the rear " hackles rather than at the eye of the hook on all flies whe it is possible, is first to protect the tie-off; second to leave' small, neat head and third to avoid depressing the hack^ at the front end of fly, backward and underneath the ho° which tying off in front of hackle is bound to do." This little book is now out of print but anyone who cJ find a copy in a used book store will find it full of origi'1' and practical ideas for the fly maker. I am right-handed but I use the front-to-back hackly- procedure a great deal, particularly with up-wing pain1 dries. Here I tie in my hackles just in front of the witm spiral the thread in spaced winds over the dubbed body the bend. Now the thread is out of the way and I can wi'1 the hackle over the path of the thread and never have '' remove my forefinger from the hackle pliers. (The cO* ventional hackling method requires changing hands ^PENNSYLVANIA ANGL* th UDDir>g is picked out a little with a needle to cover (.1 lnc»ngs. Then a whip finish of three turns is made on LETTERS It • f ' beneath and snug against the base of the tails. lik aS Prac^caJ t0 use this method for downwing flies Letters intended for publication should be addressed or to Leaky Boots, Pennsylvania Angler, Pennsylvania Fish tli fl stoneflies where the wing is tied in last and ny is finished over the wing butts. Commission, Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120. Unsigned letters will not be published, but writers may v sever peci al excellent left-handed fly-tyers who use a request that their name be withheld. am V'Se or one tnat: Permits turning the upright shaft Unc! south. so that the jaws point to the left. This allows a paw to maintain the same directional relationship to Pennsylvania's record size copperhead as published in i l00'c as the right-hander with hook pointing to the ri the Pennsylvania Fish Commission's Reptiles and Amphib ians pamphlet is 42 inches. thp ackburn is to be congratulated for throwing away \,j e D°ok and finding his own solutions to his problems. n<> i ^ makers tend to be traditionalists and there is a or more original thinking in the area of fly-tying. USE REFRIGERATOR rjj? Plttsburgh the Penn's Woods West Chapter of Trout Dear Sir: thp annually sponsors several fly-tying courses. One of ls May I say how very much I have enjoyed reading the nese an advanced course in which we try to encourage tteati ve tying. Students are exposed to many off-beat and Pennsylvania Angler. I have found it interesting, informa tive and amusing. So tying methods and it is gratifying to see tyers use tot it tnese methods in combination to come up with A recent contributor lamented that he had found no way fisl - new Patterns, distinctively their own. Modern day of keeping night crawlers during the heat of the summer. son}.- Pressure seems to make trout more and more This is easy. I kept some in the lower part of my re Cur ^ed and anyone who can come up with more ac- frigerator for three months with a commercial worm com e representations of the naturals is helping his own pound. I turned the container every couple of days. There was no odor and the worms remained as lively as crickets. Of course I had no irate wife with me to protest, but a Chauncy K. Lively, Pittsburgh dedicated fisherman could obtain a small battered old re frigerator especially for the purpose. Mr. H. Stableford, Levittown £i§^£»eif#il &*%-. vv •• •> si [••!' Mi... «----- 5--.3.»i--H? 3>K3 SIZED COPPERHEAD Get itlem,en : "closed is a photo of a copperhead I killed in August on virch. earl- "^ ^^ south of Sunbury. I had, a few weeks j L ,.r' killed a smaller copperhead at the same location so ® !eve this may have been the mate, an COuPle of days after the first snake was killed I was th en"y attacked by the larger snake as I approached yicinity of his lair. Th ls if snake measured 34JS inches. I would like to know i\v 1S aPProacnes record proportions as I noticed right y how very large it was. 'YEAH, BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE Edwin F. Beistel, Sunbury ONE THAT GOT AWAY!" to* RCH—i 969 FISHING OUTLOOK By.. Stan Paulakovich THE MONTH OF MARCH offers anglers throughout ing. Boys and girls who are just beginning to fish dot the state many excellent avenues of escape from being care what kind or how big they are. A gob of red won* cooped up after a long hard winter. As Old Sol warms up and a rod and line rigged with a heavy sinker to keep ' to his task and melting snow and ice and budding plants steady in the heavy current is all that's required. When ''' and bushes start to spring up, the urge to do a little fishing suckers are co-operating and the rod tip keeps bounci''' becomes almost unbearable. up and down, you'll have all the excitement you need First of all, many of our lakes, ponds and dams still have keep warm. good safe coverings of ice and these, up until the closing of Most suckers are in the 12 to 16 inch class with an <" 1 the warm water game fish season on midnight March 14 casional one being taken over 20 inches. Our known sta' : still produce respectable catches. All of our larger streams record was taken in 1938 from French Creek in C rawfoi' and rivers have some areas of open water and here walleyes County. It was 28 inches long and weighed 9 pounds >' and muskies can be coaxed into taking a jig or a spinner. ounces. This was probably a red-tailed sucker which 1 Where warm water discharges enter these waters fishing is native to the Allegheny River watershed. Favorite b^ ' exceptional. for the sucker is the small red worm. Several of the" should be put on your hook, size 8 preferably, at one tin1 For those trout fishermen who can't wait to wet a line a and they should be put in a ball rather than strung on ,a second possibility affords itself. Scattered over the state for trout. Other baits used include meal worms, grubs a11' are five FISH-FOR-FUN areas where trout fishing with night-crawlers. flies only is permitted all year long. Regulations for these All of our major rivers—the Allegheny, Juniata, SusqU'' areas and their locations are incorporated into the 1969 hanna and the Delaware—have good sucker population' Regulations and Summary Booklet. For the novice who Along these rivers where tributary streams empty, W has never fished flies or for the old pro, these FISH-FOR- dedicated sucker fishermen congregate each March. Son1' FUN streams, where trout are returned to the water, are of our trout waters are also open to sucker fishing betwe61' guaranteed to excite you. Remember when fishing these March 14 and the opening of trout season. streams that the trout in them have seen plenty of flies, I've heard of several ways to prepare suckers. 0"' streamers and nymphs of every description and color and method is to cut' down along each side of the dorsal fin a'1 are very wary and leader shy. Tippets of no more than slice the fillets away from the rib cage. If care is take' three pound test are recommended. Streamers in bright and a sharp knife used a minimum of bones will be in tb gaudy colors and nymphs in dull, drab shades of grey, fillet. Another method is to skin and clean the sucker, the' brown and green tied on hooks as small as size 22 seem to parboil it for about ten minutes in lightly salted wat^' produce best during March. A small split shot or wrap Next pick all the meat away and use for fish cakes or fis around lead will keep your nymph down where it will be chowder. The meat during March is solid, white and fla^V most effective. Once in awhile during a bright sunny day When prepared properly there is no better eating. fish can be taken on the surface using small dark colored The North Branch of the Susquehanna River from Ber flies. Don't be afraid to use small ones. Size 28 will often wick to Sunbury offers tremendous sucker fishing duriw take these trout when nothing else will. March. All along this stretch, at eddies and at the moutlp The third and possibly most exciting of the fishing po of streams many can be readily taken. Waterways Patro'' tentials for March is sucker fishing. Over the length and man Bob Perry (R.D. #4 Bloomsburg 17815 Phone 717' breadth of the state the sucker, disliked by many for its 784-3410) says that many stringers full of suckers leave tl»s bleary eyes, turned down rubbery mouth and its main- area each year. For Western Pennsylvanians the loWe' bones finally comes into its own. The sucker now is on its Allegheny River at the foot of locks 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 StfW annua] spawning run and heads upstream looking for areas at the mouths of Pine Creek, Mahoning Creek and Redbait to deposit eggs. At obstructions to migration or at the Creek can't be beat. Waterways Patrolman Tony D*s' mouths of tributary streams to our lakes and rivers, sucker cavage (Box 528 Kittanning 16201 Phone 412-542-4021' fishing during March can be fantastic. rates this as one of the best areas in the state. And March is an excellent time to take the children fish- See you next month. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE11 COMING --- WATERSPORT SPECIAL Next month Pennsylvania Angler readers will have a real handful of reading— April's issue will be sixty four pages big, largest edition ever printed! Included will be a wide variety of features of interest to boaters and fishermen who begin enjoying a new season of popular watersports each spring. Featured in the special will be guest articles by a number of well known writers as well as all our regular con tributors. STREAMS CLOSED Many trout streams throughout the state are closed to all fishing from March 14 until the opening of trout season. Fishermen should be careful to check their Sum mary of Fish Laws (issued with each license) before wetting any lines. WHITE WATER With March's melting ice and snow many streams become hotspots of adventure for outdoorsmen who climb aboard canoes, kayaks, and survival rafts for some excit ing rides on the high water. If you're heading for a trip downstream on some favorite Pennsylvania waterway this month keep in mind these high waters are cold and can be dangerous. Life saving devices and an extra set of dry clothing could save the day. STOCKING The stocking of Pennsylvania's many streams and lakes begins in March and con tinues into early April. Many sportsmen may well find they'll want to be on hand dur ing stockings to help carry and release the thousands of fish which will be released during the next few weeks. A word of caution—keep an eye open for passing vehicles and be sure young helpers use care in crossing highways, particularly along main roads where traveling motorists may not be expecting you! SEASON'S END Bass, pickerel, walleye, muskellunge, and northern pike fishing in Pennsylvania comes to a halt for awhile on March 14. Anglers after these species should get their fishing in before that date. However, a few waters are open under special regulations —listed in the 1969 Summary of Fish Laws. A Re. H —1969 5 s u A join c s of n With T man E hibt K the esp< oVei eart A \ E ing stre rnai To R S er,j( i sue Woi o cas for for FISHERMAN STANLEY COUGHLER of Knox in Clarion County holds stringer of qui suckers he caught fisliing Tionesta Creek at the outflow of the Tionesta Reservoir. So: by TOM EGGLER/photos by Steve Szalewtf SUCKER FISHERMEN line the shores of many Pennsylvania streams each spring for some relaxing moments sucker fishing. Garden wotf* rig| do the trick. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE * M BY SOME THE SUCKER IS REGARDED AS A DELICACY. BY OTHERS HE'S JUST PLAIN FUN TO CATCH. AND BY A FEW HE'S JUST A GOOD EXCUSE TO GET OUT DOORS FOR THOSE DELIGHTFUL MOMENTS OF EARLY SPRING. WHATEVER YOUR REASON DON'T HESITATE TO ENJOY THIS RELAXING SPORT THIS MONTH! . .As THE WINTER'S ICE TURNS to water an urge to loose but those who want to take home a real stringer full °ln the budding life outdoors suddenly stirs in the hearts have the opportunity. The limit is fifty. And that's plenty . ^any Pennsylvania fishermen who have been waylaid for most family cookouts! Although bony, suckers are ^ an illness known to most as "spring fever." relished by many fishermen who look forward to making Ine windy but often pleasant weeks of March awaken meals from them every spring. Probably one of the most |*ny anglers who, like much of the rest of the world's life, popular methods of preparing calls for soaking in brine and ' ernate during the cold months. The desire to dig out then smoking. e °ld fishing rod and head for a favorite stream grows Equipment used can be as basic as the angler wishes. s Pecially strong on those days when the returning sun Suckers have been—and will be—caught by fishermen Ver ° whelms using fly rods, casting rods, and spinning rods as well as the wind for a moment and warms the chilly the faithful old cane pole. But whatever the rod, the earth. method is usually the same—worms or nightcrawlers fished . Many fishermen look forward each spring to sucker fish- on the bottom. 8 and some enjoyable moments along the usually swollen reams. I it' own way it's probably awaited as much as Anglers planning some early spring sucker fishing have a an n s £ V other more "sophisticated" phases of the fishing sport. big choice of places to try in Pennsylvania, but they should 0 a lot of anglers it's a good reason to get outdoors and first check their "Summary of Fish Laws" given with each )0v the changes of a new season. fishing license. From March 14 until the opening of trout ^ bottom feeder with a mouth that matches the name, season many streams are closed to all fishing and an angler ^Uc*ers are mosdy caught on that favorite garden hackle— too anxious for a stringer of suckers might find himself (or v°r«is. Impaled on a number 10 or 8 hook the worm is herself) illegally fishing a closed stream. A list of the .ast into likely spots with enough weight added to hold it closed streams is published in the summary as well as a list ln Place. And from then on it's just a matter of waiting of those trout waters open to sucker fishing. If in doubt 0r the action. It may come within a minute or two or not anglers should contact their district waterways patrolman. r an hour. But when the line starts to move—sometimes Been hit with the spring fever bug? Fight it off with a Ult (! 'kly, sometimes slowly—the fish have taken the bait. sucker fishing trip! 0llle anglers keep their catches while others turn them R r^ 0BABLY THE HARDEST part of going sucker fishing is digging the worms. From then on it's just a matter of picking the right spot, gemg up, and waiting for the action. With a little luck it usually doesn't take long to bring home a nice stringer of suckers. ARCH-1 969 ID» I / It's easy to save yourself the nuisanC of digging worms (or the cost of buyW them) every time you decide to give tb( old "garden hackle" a workout. Just. 1 GROW YOUR OWN! by DALLAS P. KERR EVERYTIME I PLUNK DOWN 30 or 35 cents for a though I bought new lumber and material any scrap hffl dozen nightcrawlers I think to myself that if I could just ber you might have around the house could be used. Jus ( put this money into a jar in a year or so, I could buy my don't use any metal because rust will form quickly and tl> self a new rod and reel, or maybe even an outboard. acid in it will kill worms faster than anything. For those who don't have to save for something this A two foot, four inch square box by six inches deep v/* simple worm bed wouldn't be of much value but, for the hold three or four hundred worms comfortably. It is light' f majority of us who not only like to save a buck as well as weight, easy to find space for, and can be carried in th have fresh worms available, this worm bed can be handy. trunk of your car when going on short fishing trips. The only obstacles that I have run into is getting my wife A bill of material follows, (see picture for plans) in the right frame of mind (my worm bed is kept in her 4 pes.—2 ft. 4 in. x 6 in. x 1 in. (sheeting grade lumber) area of the cellar) and in catching one pesky mouse who 1 pc.—2 ft. 4 in. x 2 ft. 4 in. x % in. plywood for floor. really loves to eat worms. Even though I keep my worm 4 pes.—% in. x % in. x 2 ft. 6 in. strips for cover frame. bed covered, this little fellow still manages to eat more 1 pc.—2 ft. 7 in. x 2 ft. 7 in. window screening (c& than his share of crawlers. Invariably, he'll attack at to fit). night and, by actual count, he can go through two dozen /2 lb. 2 inch nails. crawlers in a setting. He must eat them for an appetizer, 1 small box of screen tacks. main dish and desert! (This material cut to size and delivered to my house cos' The box for a worm bed is a simple thing to build. Al only $4.25 and it took me less than two hours to assemble-) .PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE*1 before nailing the 2 ft. 6 in. x 6 in. boards to the ply- 1 pound of dry, concentrated sheep manure. vv°°d bottom, drill a dozen 1/16 inch holes at random in 1 handful of woolen cloth squares, (optional) he Plywood, to allow for correct drainage. Although These ingredients, if bought at retail prices, shouldn't mgntcrawlers need plenty of moisture any accumulation cost more than $6.00. This brings the total cost of your of Water will quickly kill them. "worm bed" to about $10.50. This means that after you Actually the box is only the minor part of the "worm have used about 30 dozen of worms from your bed it will bed Project. The ingredients that go into the box are have paid for itself. I probably use that many worms the w"at keeps the worms fresh and healthy. After trying a first two weeks of May alone! "umber of "recipes," so to speak, I've finally come up with There are a number of requirements that should be fol a fixture that works well for me. All the products in this lowed in keeping a worm bed, but if a few important rules mix are sold in tackle and bait shops and in many local are adhered to, you should have a successful bed. Night- lla rdwa re stores. crawlers need to be kept out of the direct sunlight, pref The main ingredient is "Buss-Bedding." This organic erably in a dark area such as under the porch or in the Pl '°duct is especially formulated for the storing of worms. darkest corner of your cellar. Old fruit cellars are ideal. f Ca n be used by itself but I like to mix Black Michigan The worms should be kept as cool as possible. Fifty-five to at Moss and some dry, concentrated sheep manure with 60 degrees is best, however, they will survive at tempera 1 ' These added ingredients lend body to the mixture and tures up to 75 degrees if the temperature is kept fairly con el , P it hold moisture better than when bedding alone stant. Third, but equally important, they need plenty of is used. moisture. Crawlers deteriorate easily. I find that sprin A ten quart bucket provides the perfect container in kling one to two quarts of water over a worm bed every Xv hich to mix the ingredients. Pour the contents of the two three days will keep the mixture at the right consistency. (five Pound) bags of "Buss-Bedding" into the bucket, and A sprinkling can is the best thing to use for spreading the «dd w ater a little at a time. After adding about a quart of water, it spreads it evenly over the bed. Cull out any dead Water, stop and knead it into the bedding until it's com- or dying worms; a worm bed is much like the "old apple P etely absorbed. After the Buss-Bedding is mixed then barrel"—one bad one can spoil the rest. add about one-half bucket of Michigan Peat and two Many things that can be fed to worms, and once again, 0l'nds of dry manure to the bedding; keep adding water through trial and error, I find that my special mixture does unta you're able to squeeze it freely from the mixture. a good job. I use one cup of "Mother's Oats," Yi cup of PIac e the mixture in the box and let it set for a day or so Yellow Corn Meal and a small handful of coffee grounds efore adding worms. After you put the worms in the mixed together. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of your °x' it's very important to add water regularly—but keep worm bed and when it disappears in a day or so, repeat. e bedding at the same consistency. Always keep the But don't add it more than three times a week. Overfeed Adding so that you're able to squeeze a little water from it. ing will sometimes produce drastic results. Left over let "other thing that you can add to your prepared bedding tuce and cabbage leaves can be used, and work well in an S a handful of woolen cloth, cut into one-inch squares. Of outside bed, but when kept inside for any length of time °Urse this is optional, but they provide ruffage which the they give off a foul odor. lrns seem to love. A list of the material for the bedding is as follows: The main problem facing most worm bed owners is ~ five pound bags of "Buss-Bedding." where to get the worms to stock and replenish his bed. ]'2 bucket (5 qt. size) Black Michigan Peat Moss. The easiest and cheapest way is to start in early April, when the nights begin to get warmer and rains have soaked the lawns and hunt for your own. The old adage, "The early bird gets the worm," is true here. Once July rolls around crawlers are really hard to find. Or you can buy them in bulk lots. By the dozen worms are expensive, but when bought in bulk lots of 500 or 1,000 they can usually be picked up for five or six cents a dozen. And if you're lucky enough to find some in an amourous mood you might have more on your hands than you know what to do with! 9 ARCH—1 969 IF YOU'VE EVER WONDERED WHERE ALL THE MUSKELLUNGE PENNSYLVA NIA FISHERMEN CATCH COME FROM, THEN HERE'S A STORY YOU'LL WANT TO READ BY A MAN WHO WORKS WITH THESE BIG FISH ALL YEAR LONG. LOCATED AT THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION'S SMALL BUT EFFECTIVE UNION CITY HATCHERY IT'S A STORY ABOUT . . . HATCHERY SUPERINTENDENT LeRoy Sorenson scope to check sperm before eggs are fertilized. PENNSYLVANIA'S MUSKIES/ WE GET THEM by LeRoy Sorenson, Superintendent UNION CITY & CORRY HATCHERIES BELOW LEFT Raymond Emerson and Sorenson take smear of sperm from male, one of several muskies anesthetized in large tub. In ' center Howard Phelps and Dick Coatoam measure a muskie and record it's length and weight (below right) before eggs are taken. I a ARE SET for northern pike as soon as the ice then must be fed. This is when the work begins. At 'eaves H 1 this stage they are fed very tiny crustaceans called daphnia. lto.i e> about March 30 while muskies spawn a In order to have the right size feed the daphnia has to be 'ter. but the procedure is the same for both. sorted through a very fine mesh net. As the fish grow, lng nylon trap nets for these big fish is a two or three they are fed larger feed. By feeding feed all the same ' "• Usually six or seven nets can be set a day. The size, the fish all grow at the same rate—helping to prevent j n net "as a long lead that runs from the shore out into cannibalism. Muskies and northerns are cannibalistic and ' ,. to the crib or trap itself. During the spawning will readily eat their brothers if they are smaller than muskies and northerns move into shallow water and themselves. of v, n§ trie shore line. When they come to the lead e trap net they try to get around it by working out into Muskies are fed daphnia for ten to fifteen days after —leading them right into the trap! Once they which they are fed live minnows—four to six a day de through the funnel they can't escape. pending on the size of the available minnows and there , aPs are checked every day including Saturdays, Sun- must be feed in the tanks or ponds at all times or they and holidays. When the ripe spawners are caught, start eating each other. A muskie can eat a minnow half i • are brought to the hatchery for spawning because a his own length. r and more thorough job with less injury can be done At the same time from the time the egg is taken until *the hatchery. the fingerling is stocked in the fall, the fish must be treated nee these fish are large and are hard to handle they're daily for fungus and other parasites. n an , anesthetic. This is easier on the men and the After the muskie has started to eat minnows, he grows lf ce of injury to or loss of these big fish is much less— rapidly at the rate of about two inches per month. In also Permits a better job of egg taking. order to prevent cannibalism they are sorted several times 45 inch muskie usually produces two to three quarts of during the summer. Tanks are cleaned daily and dead 8§s (55,000 per quart). Six to eight male fish are minnows and muskies removed and recorded. __ to fertilize this number of eggs. Thr °ugh research and experimenting for a five-year In order to keep a comprehensive record of fish stocked Period the Pennsylvania Fish Commission has improved in certain lakes, many of the fish are fin pulled or fin th ese egg-taking techniques which has increased the fertil- clipped. When the muskie is about four inches long his 11 eggs from five or ten percent up to 80 or 90 percent, ventral fin can be pulled without injury to the fish. After X "le-hundred thousand to a million northern pike eggs the fish is five inches long, the fin is clipped off close to ;>nd 7°0,000 to 800,000 muskellunge eggs are taken each the body. When the fin is clipped, it will regenerate but >'ea r Average fingerling production is 60,000 to 70,000 is always deformed. It is a help to researchers when a fi,1 gerl:ln g muskies ranging from four to eight inches long person catching a muskie with a missing fin or a small fin , 4,000 to 10,000 northern pike fingerling ranging from reports where he caught it and the size of the fish as well Miches to twelve inches long vearly. as which fin was missing or deformed. Aft i Work at Union City begins early spring. Visitors are ter eggs have hatched, for twelve to fifteen days the always welcome to watch these interesting operations for s * lay on the bottom of the tank—they're now called providing Pennsylvanians with these largest of all Keystone sg sac.fry and survive on the yolk sac of the egg. When State sportfish. s has been absorbed, they become free swimmers and AND SORENSON prepare to take eggs from female by wrapping her in inflatable blanket. Pressure is then used to force the *Ss from the big fish. be is lar sce in Pr, by tot ©a&g^ ©a&iMpan ALBERT G. SHIMMEL Pr< reg foi SPRING HAD SUFFERED A RELAPSE. For a week A small boy yipped as he lifted another on a high 8| Sh the temperature had risen above normal. Robins rioted as that landed far back on the beach. This was my intf" Wj they saluted the sunrise. The cardinal yelled, "Cheer! duction to fishing en masse. Po Cheer!" from the apple tree on the lawn. Neighbors stored Crappie take a wide variety of baits and lures, their snow shovels and brought out their lawn rakes, some taking rig for the day was a white jig with a float attach61 M even changed their winter tires. I saw a man and two boys some three feet above. The retrieve was so slow that i" t\v higitively poking about the garden plot with a spade and all intents and purposes the jig hung suspended. VW1 a worm can. Then it began to rain. The rain changed l1 the bobber dipped the response must be made quickly b ' w( to snow and by morning there was a good four inches of gently. Losses are frequent because of the crappie's tend6 da the white stuff. The next morning the temperature had mouth. I soon learned the reason for the float. en fallen to an uncomfortable five degrees. The sun came During the winter, brush mats were constructed, wife! w, out but it made little appreciable difference. The out together and weighted with stones. These were plac6'' look for the week-end was anything but promising. on the ice where the water was about four to ten feet deep tv» When Bill, who occupies a desk just across the corridor When spring came and the weighted mats sank into pla<> 1): from mine, suggested a weekend expedition against the schools of minnows were attracted to them. These in tuf ar. crappie, I inquired whether or not he had slipped on the e concentrated the crappie that moved in from deep wa* th ice and suffered a mild concussion. Surely no one in his 1 to spawn. The float kept the jig riding just over the brus' in position would even hint at fishing when snow patches e!l It took skillful handling to keep a big crappie from ca were abundant and the afternoon temperatures barely tangling the rig in the brush and escaping. climbed above the teens. In my young and callow days While the water is cool the larger specimens are caug'1 I had been tempted abroad when the opening of trout Ve on the jig. The preferred colors seem to be white ° season had been at odds with the weather, but to risk tc pale yellow with either nylon or maribo skirts. As W frostbite for a few panfish . . . Unthinkable! Pressing Sr water warms they shift to minnows or cut bait. Won11" business in a distant city demanded my attention. at seem to be the poorest producer of all baits. The size ° Two weeeks later I succumbed. Bill placed a photo the fish seem to grow smaller as the water rises in temper^ graph of a fine catch of crappie bedded in a snow bank L, hire. By mid June the spawning is finished and the schoo and a package of fillet on my desk. I rose to the bait Pt move into deeper water. like a winter starved trout. Besides the temperature had cc tri moderated to freezing. Only the confirmed crappie fisherman will spend b< time and labor to locate these deep cruising schools. The< The public wharf was hidden in a cove on the sunny side c of the lake. I turned away in horror. The place resembled are quite nomadic and are seldom found in the same lo fc tion with any degree of regularity. Occasionally they cof a family picnic area. There were people, children and at to the surface when a hatch of flies is on. If the angler '• 01 even a dog or two . . . there was confused scurryings . . . r shouts and even a portable radio or two to add to the din. on hand with a light fly rod and the proper fly the sp° ai Even as I watched a flopping fish was added to a stringer, seconds later a lady at the end of the wharf added another. continued on page y 12 PENNSYLVANIA ANGL S* DEL & LOIS MODERN by CAMPING KERR week periods. Only Pennsylvania residents may reserve EARLY START during the summer season, but out-of-staters are accepted in spring and fall. ^PENNSYLVANIA'S STATE PARK Campgrounds will Eight recommended hiking trails have a combined length is LPeninS f°r the 1969 season early next month. Now f of 17M miles. Some are easy but others are not suitable p , e time to be making plans for that first spring trip. for children. It is requested that hikers follow only speci , aps you would like to visit one of the Commonwealth's fied trails and not attempt shortcuts for much of the area l resort areas before the height of midsummer traffic. TV. is extremely overgrown. e Pocono Mountains have long been known for their Two nature trails, with trees identified, are blazed on c i, , beauty and varied attractions for travelers. Right Pyle Island. One is half a mile, the other circumvents the e p heart of this lush green mountainous country is island and is a mile long. Park personnel can supply 1S6 tot 1 ^ ^and State Park, which hosts the second highest literature describing the trails, their length and whether dumber of campsites among the state parks at the or not they are strenuous. 6Sent time, 316 sites. North of Promised Land State Park is the Bruce Lake eIt>Sh ard' to believe when one views the beauty of this at Natural Area which is being conserved for present and A»r . the name "Promised Land" was not bestowed future citizens of the Commonwealth in its natural state. ° *i-~s reason. As a matter of fact, early settlers of the It consists of 2,300 acres of hardwoods and evergreens. T Sect so named the area facetiously because the M Stumps still can be seen of the virgin hemlock which were Wild rocky country made their dreams of rich farms im- lumbered in the last century before state acquisition of the Dte. They soon moved on to greener pastures. r land. H., , °mised Land is located in Pike County on Route 390 Bruce Lake is a natural 48-acre lake, one of Pennsyl t\ wsects the park. It is approximately midway be- v vania's few remaining glacier-created water areas. On the n Canadensis and Hawley. shores are spruce and tamarack trees. The bog contains \ ere are three camping areas providing a total of 316 v cranberries and pitcher plants. Waterfowl abound as well flat ~ anc^ lakeside sites. An overflow area accommo- as several species of fish. , °0 more camping units on holidays and busy week- 6n The lake can be reached only on loot over Bruce Lake u,_ ,' It is normally wise to arrive early Friday for a eek Road from Rt. 309 which is three miles, or by Bruce Lake end site. u Trail which is four and one-half miles from Promised Land an t\v ^ °^ the campsites are located adjacent to one of the Lake. Another impoundment, Egypt Meadow Lake, is Cr jjj., ystal blue lakes. No sites are further than half a nearby. This one is artificial. at ,Uvay from the shores. Two of the three camping A wide variety of flora and fauna are native to the area. the private bathing beaches while the third uses Campers who wish to backpack into Bruce Lake Natural in , ln bathing area. The Pines camping area is located Area may obtain 48-hour permits from the Promised Land p. '°vely stand of white pines, while the Pickerel Point ln State Park Office. Fishing and hunting are permitted in P g area is located on a peninsula on the main lake, season. lls y truction of modern sanitary facilities began last There are so many tourist attractions in the Pocono j and hopefully they should be ready for this season. region that it is impossible to attempt to list them all. A aS anc Sn ' i^ ^ groceries may be purchased within a mile. few of the highlights are any of the tumbling waterfalls— are available at a concession stand in the picnic area the Bushkill, Dingman, Paradise and Winona for example. At '" main lake. Canadensis we enjoyed browsing through the candle shop TV.e ar L , ' ger lake called, appropriately enough, Promised with the widest variety of decorative candles we've seen Lake covers 426 acres. A sand beach with lifeguard anywhere. QQ °tion is provided for swimmers. There are two boat You might enjoy watching pottery being made at a ess |) ions and four locations where you may launch your factory in La-Anna. Memoryland, U.S.A. at Mt. Pocono • Bait is available. brings back nostalgic recollections of days gone by with w (0 ° er Lake is approximately 200 acres. It has facilities their country emporium and hex shop. Children will enjoy s ;lr m'ng and boating, but no bathing beach. Both lakes the Storybook Land at Moon Valley, Milford, and the Wild st tj. °eked with a variety of fish including large and small Animal Farm at Stroudsburg, Pa. For information on these ;i i bass, pickerel, walleye and muskie. Perch, sunfish and other attractions in the area contact the Pocono Moun catfish also offer a challenge to the angler. tains Vacation Bureau, 1004 W. Main Street, Stroudsburg, |P *elve rustic cabins can be reserved in advance for one Pennsylvania. f M*I*CH-1969 13 HSSH^BBdKHLinLlEinyiHSi THE SEA BAG Bob Miller A column of news devoted to the activities of boat clubs, flotillas, power squadrons and items of interest to Pennsylvania's boaters. CANOE COMEBACK MAKING A STRONG COMEBACK, at a time when engineers are dreaming of new hull designs or increasing the horsepower in a more compact engine, is the canoe. As a representative for one major canoe manufacturing firm put it, "the overall canoe market in the past ten years has more than doubled." Also questioned about the increase of interest in canoe ing the spokesman for a western Pennsylvania agency which distributes canoeing guides replied, "we could have distributed three to five times as many guides during the past year with some publicity." Actually the canoe never left the scene, it merely became absorbed in the overall boating activity and the mere sight TYPICAL WHITE WATER—Marion and Hans Beuhler of * of one of these long, slender craft gliding silently along, Buck Ridge Ski Club run the Lehigh River, (photo by J° especially in areas nearly congested with outboard craft, Sweet) has been something of an oddity. Aluminum is, by far, the lightest in weight. The ran? Twenty to 30 years ago local boat liveries, which sup of models offered by one firm starts out at 44 pounds f"' plied rowboats and canoes, were sometimes "sold out" on a 13 foot double end model up to 117 pounds for a kit1? pleasant weekends and it became almost necessary to size, 20 footer. reserve a craft several days in advance. E. J. Nelson, general sales manager for one canoe man'1' Then came new advances in the boating industry, partic facturer, reporting on an increase of sales over the paS ularly in the outboard field, followed by the time payment ten years, added, "we believe there are many reasons f" plan and many boating enthusiasts went all out in favor this. First, of course, is the total population growth, t',f of power. portability and versatility of the canoe in the sense it ca'1 However, in recent years, an emphasis has returned to be used in almost any type of water and paddled, pol^' canoeing—perhaps the establishment of small lakes where towed and sailed, as well as powered by a small outboard outboards are prohibited was responsible to a certain de "This versatility, combined with a relative low cost >' gree—especially by those outdoorsmen seeking more fun, our affluent society, makes the investment in a life-tin1 relaxation and adventure. watercraft come out at pennies per hour for a most healtW Ever try to explore an old, unused canal; or run up a ful recreation," he added. slow moving, tree lined stream in an outboard? How about "Further growth," Nelson noted, "has resulted from tn portaging an outboard around a rapids or dam? formation of many canoe clubs and organizations th* Because of the lightweight design of his craft the canoe sponsor weekend trips on various streams and rivers; tW ist has an advantage over his fellow boat owner. He can sponsoring of races by Junior Chambers of Commerce car top it practically 12 months out of the year and every and other groups to promote local resort and canoeing lake, stream or river he comes across during his travels areas. Also the overall conservation and cleanup effort-'' can be explored almost immediately if time permits. It's government-sponsored and otherwise—of our streams ha not necessary to wait until next weekend to trailer in the made canoeing possible in many areas where it was n° runabout. previously a very pleasant experience." Perhaps one of the primary reasons for the increase of This growth is not limited to any particular section ° interest in canoeing is the use of fiberglass and aluminum, Pennsylvania but is becoming quite widespread. both practically maintenance free, for construction. While In the Pittsburgh area, Bruce E. Sundquist, of America'' canvas covered models aren't out of style, a survey made about two years ago indicates aluminum is the favorite. continued on page •h 14 PENNSYLVANIA ANGL EP ££C ON THE MOVE - Probably One Of *he Biggest Attrac- \ tl°ns In The Outdoor ^orld During The ' ^ontk Of March f \ 4nd Early April Is [ ^he Annual Pre- J *«*>« Stocking Of 1 3 P,en nsylvanias Many 1 •* yo«j Streams. And if A WATERWAYS PATROLMAN Raymond Hoover of Tioga County releases a netfull of nice trout during last year's pre-season stocking. NEXT STOCKING STARTS PAGE 15 ARCH—i 969 continued from previous page STOCKING STARTS iATQ A PAIR OF SPORTSMEN begin a downstream trek as they float stock one of Lancaster County's numerous trout streams. Many clubs throughout the state stock this way to achieve better distribution over the course of a stream which may wind far from places where the "trout trucks" can go. Below Budd Brooks, the Commission's stocking manager and sec retary Marguerite Davidson go over stocking records in planning for another season. PROBABLY SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING DAYS in ai>? angler's life each spring are those times he joins the group stockiflp ^ trout in some favorite stream. A feeling of accomplishment as v*e As as the knowledge there'll be a challenge awaiting him on that openir>» Ut s day in mid April, combined with the enjoyment of being outside >' tre early spring can give a real lift to spirits starting to sag after a lengtW season of sleet and snow. Each year hundreds of thousands of trout are raised in Pennsylvai* Fish Commission hatcheries for release prior to the annual opener-'' this year April 12. During 1969 Keystone State sportsmen and Commission employ^ will turn over two million trout loose in Pennsylvania's hundreds ° miles and acres of streams and lakes. According to Budd R. Brooks, the Commission's fish stocking ma,v ager, approximately 540,000 brook trout, 740,000 brown trout, a11'I 579,000 rainbow trout will be stocked pre-season. The numbers & PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE" for stocking in public waters. elude Bsh raised under a cooperative program with ^Department er ^ERYMEN LOAD Commission trucks ear- rnin istam° gs so trout can be transported to of the Interior's Bureau of Sports Fisheries. Estimated total , 1,879,- nt ^unties. 000. , ., In addition many sportsmen's clubs which rear trout under the Commission's Cooperative Nursery Program will also be r^n large numbers of fish. Program coordinator Robert H. Brown says the dubs will be releasing "in the neighborhood of a quarter milhon trout before the coming April opener. Stocking trucks will begin rolling as soon as conditions ™ *££ According to Brooks a total of 23,337 acres of water will be stocked Reason this spring. That includes 4,940 acres o la esa„ a additional 18,397 acres of stream. The streams add upto near* 5 000 miles-4,793, says Brooks. However he pointed out tha the figures were tentative and could change before actual stocking starts. First stockings will probably be made in southern tier counties where water and weather conditions are generally favorable earher than the mountain counties where late melting snows and runoff often make access to streams and lakes difficult. Additional stockings will then be made once the season has opened. Sportsmen interested in joining the stocking groups should keep an eye on their local newspapers for stocking places and dates. Many radio stations also carry reports of the coming stockings. 1 AS T ..-..— ' foll„ HE STOCKING gets underway sportsmen C* *e truck from stop to stop to help carry 1 Up an by the Potter Enterprise I stre d down banks and across fields to by TOM EGGLER, editor Pennsylvania Angler i MARCH—1969 s}S* FROM THE STREAMS m*mm !•*«!* illustrations by Paul Sowers, Allegheny County Waterways Patrolman watched a man and woman fishing. They weren't ha! to observe, as they were the only ones on the lake but,'' and behold when I checked them, neither had a licens* After the usual explanations, they decided to settle on Bel receipts. When they appeared to settle their fines, I to' them I would file a technical report against the lady WJI no fine involved. The man then spoke up and told me ° all the influential people he knew and said he wanted 1 have the fine "fixed" and asked who he had to see. quickly pointed out he could get it "fixed" right here " iSw just the $25.00 fine.—Waterways Patrolman ARTHUR ^ NO CARES! HERMAN (Westmoreland County). • A local duck hunter told me that on the first day of duck season in the Owls Nest area, with all the shooting going on, a lone fisherman sat in the midst of the bombard ment seemingly completely unconcerned.—Waterways Pa trolman BERNARD D. AMBROSE (Elk County). LOST TACKLE FOUND B A sportsman from Monroe County—John Riley—had bought a new rod and reel and of course was anxious to try it out, as it had been something he'd wanted all his life. He loaded his boat and gear and headed for Brady's Lake taking his son. They started fishing and about the first cast the teenage son made, he hooked his father's rod and cast it right into the lake. Several hours were spent trying to retrieve the tackle, but to no avail. Several days PROTECTED PLUG— later John went back to try and retrieve the tackle again. • Seems Bob Shook was fishing Duman Dam recently ant* After some six hours dragging, he finally hooked the tackle. not doing so well with the particular plug he was using- His son has returned home again!—Waterways Patrolman He reeled in the line, and put on a new plug. On th1' WALTER J. BURKHART (Monroe County). first cast, a nice bass hit. but Mr. Shook didn't hook ft As he was about to make the second cast, his partner re "THANK YOU" CO-OPS! marked that it was a rather strange looking plug. Mi'- • During November I helped the Hillside Sportsmen's Shook looked at the plug, then rather sheepishly removed Club stock about 2000 two-year-old trout raised at their the plastic hook guard.—Waterways Partolman ANTHON^ cooperative nursery. These fish will surely help fishing MURAWSKl (Cambria County). in that area. The Morris Sportsmen Club also has a co operative nursery and they stocked a number oi two-year- NEVER AGAIN! old fish in the vicinity of Morris. The Potter County • Recently Special Fish Wardens Dennis and Barto wew Anglers Club also stocked fish from their cooperative nurs wiling away some hours at Falmouth Access Area fishing ery, with many sizable fish sent to Beechwood Lake in when Mr. Dennis suddenly hooked a very large musky- Tioga Count\' for the winter fishing season. Sportsmen's Bringing it to the boat he and Mr. Barto found their net clubs which participate in the cooperative nursery program wasn't large enough to land the monster so the call went certainly deserve a big "thank you" from all the fishermen out for help. Lo and behold along came a "Good Samari of the state for the contribution of time, labor, and finances tan" who quickly loaned them his net. The fish W8» used in rearing trout and stocking them in waters open netted, measured and returned to the water. The last the> to public fishing!—Waterways Patrolman RAYMOND saw of the "Good Samaritan," (after thanking him for the HOOVER (Tioga County). use of his net) was as he stumbled toward his auto, murt1' bling about never again loaning his net to two numbskulls "FIXED" TICKET who would release a 38 inch muskie!—Waterways Patrol' • While on patrol at Keystone Lake during November, I man SAMUEL W. HALL (Lancaster-Lebanon Counties)- 18 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE? WALLEYE The walleye, an old native of Pennsylvania, is found in PART in—CONCLUSION many of the waters of the Commonwealth. This species inhabits many of the rivers, large streams, and impound ments, and is available in great numbers. The walleye, however, is perhaps one of the most underharvested of all game fish. This fish, at times, can be most difficult, if not impossible, for the inexperienced angler to catch. This is true for several reasons, the most important being that the FISHING walleye is primarily a nocturnal feeder, meaning that the feeds mostly at night. He can, however, be caught dur ing the day provided you understand his habits and can IN learn how to locate him. Being a school fish by nature, scores of walleye will con gregate in the depest waters during the daylight hours. Late in the evening and throughout the night, they will PENNSYLVANIA move into the shallow water to feed. To catch them dur ing the day, you must learn to fish your bait or lure very deep. Whether you troll, cast, or still-fish, get your bait or lure right on or very near the bottom. When walleye are in the shallow water they can be taken at various by JAMES T. VALENTINE depths. They have been known to be taken on surface lures. art by Chuck Ripper Walleye are very active immediately after their spawn ing season. Pymatuning Lake has been the classic ex- continued on next page ARCH —1 969 19 continued from previous page Dinehot State Park Lake, and Presque Isle Bay are "s a few of the excellent northern pike hot spots. Very early in the spring, when the ice begins to brS FISHING IN PENNSYLVANIA up, northern pike gather in the weedy backwater areas I spawn. After spawning, during the early part of the sfl ample of a walleye fishery that has produced literally tons son, northern pike fishing is excellent. At this time tbl of walleye during the month of May. During the hot will strike a variety of artificial lures and live bait. Perhal summer months, walleye fishing usually slows down unless the most productive of all artificial lures for northerns J you pursue this fish very late in the evening and through the red and white spoon. This old standby has account^ out the night. for an unbelievable number of these fish. When the frosty weather sets in and the leaves start to They can also be taken on some of the larger spinney turn, walleye fishing begins to increase and seems to get silver or gold, and a variety of underwater plugs and lufj better as the year progresses. This is the season when the provided they have good action and are flashy. A sb°] real lunker walleye are most frequently caught. wire leader six or eight inches in length is recommends The average walleye will run two or three pounds, but the sharp needle-like teeth of the northern can quickly cut| late autumn and winter fishing will produce fish eight line regardless of its strength. pounds or more. The upper Allegheny River is one of the Being a fish eater by nature, northern pike are quick most outstanding walleye hot spots during the winter strike a chub or shiner that is caught off guard. For tW months for open water fishing. Many of the numerous reason live bait fishing for northerns has always been crtj lakes in northeastern Pennsylvania produce good catches of of the best ways to catch them. walleye during the winter months to those who prefer to Generally, live bait five or six inches in length, is hook^ fish through the ice. slightly below the dorsal fin, and a float is attached abo1 Equipment for walleye fishing is generally the same as three feet up the line. This method allows the injured b'1 that used for bass. A medium action spinning or spin- to swim in a natural manner and keeps it from getting do^ 'ood casting outfit does a good job. Eight or ten pound test into the weeds. Again, a wire leader is recommended 'Mil monofilament is needed if you are in good walleye water prevent the teeth of the northern from cutting the lifl'SeVe and can expect to land a big one. When a strike occurs remember to give the fish plenty ll '"Hi Artificial lures and plugs for walleye are generally those time to swallow the bait for the northern, like all mei11 V 1 lr that run deep or actually move along the bottom. Some of bers of the pike family, seem to get some sort of pleasu ' >ei: the jointed plugs that wiggle work best, provided they run out of slowly killing the bait before they eat it. )eei deep. Lead headed jigs, originally designed for salt water Equipment for northern pike fishing should be a t>' t(lu fishing, have proved to be an outstanding walleye lure. heavier than that used for bass, walleye, etc. A stiff actio ear, figs are simply a hook with a molded lead head and some spinning or spin-casting outfit can be used and an eight" (!Ue sort of hair, feathers, or nylon used as the tail—bucktail is ten pound test line is recommended. Northern pike fl) ' is probably the most popular. The usual method of fishing big and it is common to catch them in the eight to W catc jigs is to cast out, let the jig sink to the bottom, and re pound class. Some fishermen even prefer a bait-castiri eqvj trieve slowly, allowing the jig to bump along the bottom. outfit equipped with fifteen or twenty pound test line. 1 White or yellow bucktail jigs have put a lot of fish on the The northern feeds actively during the winter month' 'ol stringer. Try them! and fishing for them through the ice can be very exciting 'lt'c Live bait fishing for walleye will catch the big ones. A Tip-ups are used and a fairly heavy line with a wire lead'' Vvc creek chub or sucker five or six inches in length is an excel is suggested. Bait your hook in the same manner, throw ^e lent live bait. Fishermen who like to troll still find the June the dorsal fin, and fish your bait several feet off the bottoi" so« bug spinner-night crawler combination hard to beat. This method h as accoun ted for manv northerns. °P<: The walleye can be an exciting fish to catch. They are fish plentiful but can be difficult unless you learn their habits. MUSKELLUNGE ;'s, If you master walleye fishing you will be doubly rewarded ,of for they are not only a large sporty game fish but are also The success of muskellunge fishing in Pennsylvania is 1.lea: considered by many the most tasty of all fresh water fish. story that will be retold for many years to come. Orig ' 1 nally confined to the extreme northwestern corner of u ' (. state, new propagation methods developed by the research NORTHERN PIKE and hatchery personnel of the Pennsylvania Fish Comm^" t e,r The northern pike is considered to be one of the most sion, have extended the musky's range throughout the \v- vicious of all of our fresh water game fishes. They con tire Commonwealth. ,„ sistently wear a sneer on their elongated snouts and are An outstanding example is the Susquehanna River an1 , as mean as they look. The northern, however, is a terrific its tributaries. The musky, not native to these waters, W* r- game fish and can provide a real trophy for the fisherman introduced in recent vears and hundreds of muskies froi'1 who can develop the skill necessary to catch him. barely legal size to thirty pound trophies are now caugi1 Many of the waters of northwestern Pennsylvania have in these new areas each year. a had a native population of northern pike for many years. There is little doubt the muskellunge is the most difficu'1 More recently, with successful hatchery propagat'on, they of all fresh water game fish to catch. This is true for seV' have been planted in many of the other waters throughout eral reasons, the most important being that he is a mood! . the Commonwealth. Glendale Lake, Meadowgrounds Lake, fish and will go for long periods of time without accepting 20 i PENNSYLVANIA ANGLEP muskies are big fish with appetites to match. When a musky strikes a live bait, be sure to give him plenty of time to swallow it. It may take as long as forty-five min utes to an hour for a musky to completely swallow a twelve inch sucker. As we mentioned before, heavy equipment is necessary to consistently land muskies. Many musky fishermen use light salt water rods and reels and find them ideal when fighting a musky twenty-five or thirty pounds. Many types of plugs and lures are designed especially for musky fishing. Most of them are big! Large jointed underwater plugs, spinner-bucktail combinations, and surface plugs that cause a great commotion will all take muskies. Large jigs are used to harvest hundreds of muskies each year at the Falmouth area on the Susquehanna River. To summarize musky fishing we can offer a bit of advice. Use heavy equipment, very large plugs or lures, jumbo size live bait, and plan to spend hours and hours before you are successful. This is musky fishing! You may go out and accidentally catch a good sized musky on your light spinning equipment but this rarely happens. Remember that we said to consistently catch muskies, you must fish for muskies. This is, without a doubt, a very specialized type of fishing requiring special equipment, experience, ,, .. of any kind. When he does go on a feeding spree, he patience and know-how. ^ hunt, catch, and eat another fish that may weigh up to eral pounds. And this will last him for a long period "^'l he feeds again. • Huskies have been caught many ways by many fisher - i n using all sorts of fishing equipment—they have also . en lost by many fishermen using all sorts of fishing JJ^Pment! ' Thler e is no question that a goodsized musky 1 be landed on light spinning equipment, and there is no esHon that many more will be lost than will be landed. at 't i s therefore, importan to remember that to consistently t* cat }, 0 muskies you must fish for muskies and you must use "" * EXARCH —196 9 21 continued jrom previous page The real secret to catching or not catching carp seel1' to lie in the sinker. The rule is to use more weight tb» FISHING IN PENNSYLVANIA you need to keep your bait down on the bottom and C tionless. In still water, a very small split shot is more tils' enough. Moving water may require a bit more weig'1' in March, when the ice is breaking up on the larger rivers This is very important since a carp, when mouthing $ and impoundments, suckers begin their annual spawning bait, can feel the weight of the sinker which may caus' ran up the smaller tributary streams. This is when die him to drop the bait. When a carp does decide to taP serious sucker fisherman packs up his rods, related fishing your bait he will generally swallow it immediately al1' equipment and heads for the nearest sucker hole. swim off. Set the hook quickly and get ready for a batf' The choice of tackle depends on the individual fisher lasting fifteen minutes or more. For a real tussle with man. Any of the spinning, spin-casting, or bait-casting strong heavyweight—try carp fishing! outfits will do the job. A six pound test monofilament line on the spinning or spin-casting outfit or a fifteen pound test line on the casting outfit should be sufficient. BULLHEADS—CATFISH Terminal gear for suckers is a bit more critical. A small e hook, usually size eight, is about right for hooking the The members of the catfish family have always be sucker. If you look closely at the construction of the mouth very popular with fishermen. From the smaller bullhea" of this fish you will see that it is farily small, designed to the giant channel cats, it is generally agreed that tht" 1 strictly for bottom feeding. This should tip you off that are among the finest eating fish. A great many of t' ' 11 when fishing for suckers, keep your bait on or very near lakes, dams, rivers, and streams throughout the ComniO the bottom. wealth are populated with members of the catfish famil)'; During the late winter and early spring months rains Bullheads are almost exclusively bottom feeders and ^" and melting snow will cause high fast water so plenty of eat a variety of plant and animal life. Choice baits i"' weight must be used in order to keep the bait down on bullheads are worms, night crawlers, minnows, and s 22 ^PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE11 . BOBBERS AND FLOATS Size is important when using a float or bobber. Choose the bobber with relation to the type of fish you expect to catch and the type of bait you are using. A very small bobber, less than an inch in diameter, would be large enough when using worms for bait and fishing for blue- gills. A bobber two inches in diameter may be needed to hold up the six inch chub you are using for northrn pike bait. iat you would catch fish without fail would soon make ;lling routine and monotonous. When you get the urge SUMMARY 8° fishing—go fishing! The material presented here is far from complete. Cer tainly there is more that could have been included about the equipment used in fishing. The information covering JJ EQUIPMENT the various species could have been broadened to include many of the other pan fish and game fish found in Penn tb< H°OKS sylvania. We have merely tried to touch on the basics of fishing necessary to help the novice fisherman get started. ^hen all is said that can be said about rods, reels, lines, Fishing can be made as simple or as complicated as 1 etc ( -, the hook may prove to be the most important part of vigorous or as passive physically as the individual chooses. • Ur entire equipment. The important thing to remember is that fishing in this Get in the habit of using sharp hooks. Buy good quality day and age is strictly for sport. We no longer need to ^°oks and use a hone to keep a needle like point on them. rely on catching fish to feed our families. ^°°ks come in different sizes, the larger the number, the Fishing is fun! It is entertaining, relaxing, and health Waller the hook. Use the proper size hook for the bait ful. It's a personal challenge to the outdoorsman who feels • °u are using and the type .of fish you expect to catch. A a need to compete with nature and it does wonders to pro S'2e eight hook baited with a one inch minnow may be vide relief for the businessman's tensions. It keeps older ,Usl right for crappie fishing. You would need a size one folks occupied in their later years after retirement, and it ioUj <>r two hook for the four inch chub you are using for bass. prevents younger boys from getting into trouble. Boys in# e repeat—use the proper hook! seldom think about stealing hub caps when they're out re* doors trying to outwit an eighteen inch brown trout. Fish ise"1 SINKERS ing is a great deal of fun so our last recommendation to the Bsfc beginner is to go fishing, and—catch fish! od1 Sinkers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and weights. tivi' ^gairi you must learn to use the proper size and weight BOOKLET TO BE AVAILABLE- s ion- "iker for the particular situation. In order to get a soft Plans are currently being made to publish this series "Fishing Celled crab down on the bottom where the smallmouth In Pennsylvania" in booklet form. The series began with the ^ ^k \\'«« *^ H jni*^i^9' R.Y TY/NG FEATURE /by Chauncy K. Lively -££j m\ COMPLETED midge pupa. TYING A MIDGE PUPA THE ORDER DIPTERA is by far the largest of the tually the pupal skin splits open and the winged inS^W insect orders of importance tjo fly fishermen. Included are emerges into the air and flies away. house-flies, mosquitoes, crane flies, gnats and midges, to Trout feed freely on midges in the three latter stages J mention a few, and it is a group of insects neglected by the insect's life cycle but it is the pupal stage which see'1 many fly-tyers. The midges of the genus Chironomus are to be the most confounding to the beginning fly fisllf plentiful on most of our trout streams and trout feed on When midge pupae are suspended vertically from the si1 them just about year-round. The Chironomids are small face film trout take them with the same kind of gentle f>' p^ and mosquito-like in appearance and a few species, like that identifies their feeding to the winged fly on the surfa01 1 the pestiferous punkies, can make life miserable for the Yet the pupa-minded trout will generally not give a seco' Hi0Vj angler who neglects to carry a good insect repellent. glance at a midge dry riding top-side. Needed is a $ very Because of their small size and the difficulty of seeing tinct pupal imitation, neither dry nor wholly wet, a patte1' ^j them on the water, midges are often called "no-see-ums." that fishes where trout are looking for the natural. und The furious activity of trout feeding on something un ( The midge pupa pattern described here is effective j irne seen is a source of frustration to the uninitiated; yet, sizes #18 and #20 and has been responsible for some si* sho\\ solving the mystery of midging fish unlocks one of the prisingly large brown trout. The fly's thorax, made '' ^el)0 great secrets of fly fishing. deer hair folded and bound, gives the pattern enough buO) Patte Midges undergo a complete metamorphosis, which is ancy to hold it in or near the surface film without sinkii^ >ase another way of saying there are four stages in their life Midging trout may be found in many types of water but 'olor cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The larva is wormlike is in the flat, deep stretches that the pupal imitation seel* ark in appearance and is found in just about any water that to work best. A long, fine leader should be used, tapei* M is biologically suitable. Every farm boy has observed tiny to 6x or 7x, and it's a good idea to grease the entire lead'' ehn< "blood worms" scurrying about in the rain barrel or water with line dressing to keep the whole assembly at the s 1 A 24 PENNSYLVANIA ANCLE ' ^ FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT Steps To Tie A Midge Pupa- STEP ONE.—Clamp a size #18 hook in the vise and tie in brown nymph thread just ahead of bend. Free end of thread should be left long and attached to thread clip on vise. Allow spool end of thread to bang, as shown. Don't cut off free end of thread as this will be used as ribbing material. STEP TWO.—For body material tie in a 5" length of fine black floss (or black Nymo thread) over initial tie-in and spiral spool end of thread forward % length of hook shank. Half-hitch. STEP THREE.—Wind body material forward, overlapping enough to build a slim but tapered body. Tie off floss in front of body with two turns of thread and trim off excess. STEP FOUR.—Remove free end of thread from clip and wind as NINE TEN ribbing over body in spaced winds. Ribbing should be spiraled in opposite direction from that of body winding. Tie off ribbing JYlNG A MIDGE PUPA and trim excess. STEP FIVE.—Cut a bundle of black-dyed deer body hair, about In the thickness of a kitchen match, from the hide. Position the v g the fly with subtle pulls is in order, particularly in T butts of hair just forward of hook eye and bind hair to hook V slow water. behind eye with two tight turns of thread. „ , ere are several hundred species of the Chironomids u a STEP SIX.—Hold hair close to hook with left hand and spiral tirn * P P ^ imitation of almost any color will do at some thread firmly over hair toward hook bend about VK"- Half-hitch. e s, °r another. However, in addition to the dark pupa Trim away butts of hair. i y ,. n here, patterns each of reddish-brown, olive and Veil, STEP SEVEN.—With right hand fold hair forward and with left °w will give you a well rounded set. In each of these Patt hand bind hair with three spaced turns of thread, ending behind er'is the abdomen and thorax should correspond to the eye. Half-hitch. j . color, while the ribbing may be of any contrasting r STEP EIGHT.—Secure thread in thread clip and arrange ends of f J - The wing stubs for all should be dun gray as in the hair radially around hook, like dry fly hackle. Trim ends of hair Pupa shown in the photo-illustrations. uniformly to a short stubble. Mid ge fishing, both to the winged fly and the pupa, is a I refj: STEP NINE.—For wing stubs select two dun-colored strands from j, nement considered by many to be the ultimate in fly • fish; I lie base of a black ostrich plume. Tie in wings along sides of . ng- But the presence of midges in a stream can sound deer hair thorax. Wings should be slightly longer than thorax. ^ arning note, too, if other flies are not to be found. Do not trim off excess ostrich strand. a ge larvae can withstand lower oxygen levels than other STEP TEN.—Attach hackle pliers to butt end of one ostrich . ^uatic insects. Consequently, where midges are found strand and wind as hackle behind and through hair stubble. le exclusion of other insectivora it is often an indicator Tie off behind eye. Repeat with other ostrich strand. Trim away 1 excess herl, whip finish head and apply a drop of lacquer to head. the water quality is not as it should be. COMPLETED midge pupa on page 24 1969 23 •* HEADS NEW DIVISION— The Pennsylvania Fish Commission has named Willard T. Johns of Hershey to head a new Division of Conservation Education and Training as part of an in creased effort to coordinate expanding conservation and education programs. Johns comes to the Commission from a post on the conservation education staff A of the National Wildlife Federation in Washington where he has served for the past four years. Previously he was employed by the Pennsylvania Game Com Kin; mission in its public information office where he became well known to many Por( Pennsylvanians as editor of that agency's monthly publication, Pennsylvania Game News. men A graduate of the University of Maine, he is a charter member and past president of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association as well as a member T of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and numerous other conservation and civic organizations. Pier * T and cott "PROVIDE HABITAT" and air pollution, highway construction, and even model earr IS THEME FOR agricultural practices. Por "The presence of wildlife is one of the indicators of "' alsc NATIONAL WILDLIFE WEEK quality of our environment," Kimball went on to say. areas where the natural landscape has not been damagf ( THE URGENT NEED for the protection and develop animal populations have an opportunity to survive. Hfll bes ment of wildlife habitat will be the theme for the 1969 ever, where the land has been misused, wildlife probwj WaJ c observance of National Wildlife Week, scheduled March cannot exist. If we can afford progress of this type, we ' anc 16-22. The National Wildlife Federation, sponsor of the also afford some protection for our great wildlife heritai? observance in association with its affiliates in 49 states, has The Wildlife Week observance has been sponsored ,1i selected this slogan to remind Americans of the need for nually since 1938, when the event was launched by but conservation: "Provide Habitat—Places Where Wildlife proclamation by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. R of Live." scheduled each year to include the first day of spring WJ Thomas L. Kimball, executive director of the Federation, promotes a timely conservation issue or resources probl^'1 said that the "Provide Habitat" theme was selected be The National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates dirfi cause of the constantly mounting threat to natural areas in the observance in cooperation with citizen groups, pub' all parts of the nation. Traditional wildlife areas are being officials, youth organizations, public agencies, and the % damaged or destroyed through building expansion, water tionwide press and radio-TV media. Co s continued from page 12 out resistance. When I turned the flashlight into the ' YQ my fish was a crappie. It was better than fourteen ind1 ae long and must have weighed at least two pounds. I ;1' trying to land another of that size but so far have be" w< is fast and furious. Some experts cruise the lake at eve unsuccessful. <(\j ning, alert for the sign of a school that is surface feeding. Crappie are the largest members of the sunfish faro1'' gu I once located a school that were feeding on a yellow fly. For scientific purposes they are called Rlack Crappie no After trying several patterns with little success I paused Calico Rass and White Crappie. As a panfish they D1 trr to eat a banana left over from lunch. Its color seemed to readily and eat well. They are found throughout Cf be a fair match for the flies so I cut thin strips of the skin tinental United States and even cross the border if and used it for a lure. Ry the time the hatch was over Canada. Anglers find them moving into the shoreli'1 more that a dozen large crappie graced the stringer. waters shortly after the first frosts. I would suspect tM 1 One evening, many years ago I was fishing for trout they would rank high if a poll were taken to determine t' in a stream, that flowed from a lake. The warm water of most popular among the pan fish. the lake was chilled by the sand springs and made it ideal I was surprised to find that among the winning recip for dry fly fishing. At dusk, while fishing a deep slow in a national contest for outdoor cooks one called CrapP, pool with a Furnace Ri-visible it suddenly was sucked and Grass. I have long known that a platter of crapP under the surface. I set the hook and from the weight, fillet that have been rolled in seasoned meal and fried 1 judged that I had hooked one of the old browns that fre deep fat were extremely edible to say the least. Serve W> quented the stream. Imagine my surprise when after one watercress salad and a few strips of dill pickle. If co<" short power run it suddenly drifted toward the net with- pany fails to come . . . who cares? 26 PENNSYLVANIA ANGL$ #EW KINZUA COUNTRY B*OCHURE NOW AVAILABLE • MAP OF the Allegheny National Forest and the Kjr - a t Dam Vacationland in Pennsylvania's Warren and * °i'est C counties is being offered free to interested outdoors- y the Kinzua Dam Vacation Bureau at Warren. Th I map includes the Kinzua Dam and Reservoir and an to recreation sites such as camp grounds, beaches, i areas, boat launching locations and fishing areas. Th a ri Plication also contains information on bag limits L aS°n dates in Pennsylvania, as well as motels, hotels, cotta » s> cabins and both private and government operated v tes. Names of license issuing agents in Warren and . bounties, game protectors and waterways patrolmen also are included. f Of AWARD GIVEN Pecial interest to fishermen is a detailed story on the PAUL SOWERS, Allegheny County waterways patrol man, accepts a "Certificate of Appreciation" from former vv 11 a°eS to ^sn ^or ^T0U^> large and small mouth bass, County Commissioner John McGrady on behalf of the and muskies in the reservoir on the Allegheny River andm m directors and officers of TRIAD (Three Rivers Improve °re than 500 miles of trout streams. ment and Development) in Pittsburgh. Sowers also ac Th cepted a similar award on behalf of Pennsylvania Fish bi ma^ 's not limited to Warren and Forest Counties Commission Executive Director Robert J. Bielo. ° includes McKean and Elk Counties as well as parts ' Jeffp In addition to his duties as a waterways patrolman, ls°n, Clarion and Venango. Sowers also illustrates the monthly "Notes From The The ,. fold er can be obtained free of charge by writing the Streams" section of the angler, written by the Commission's K,r>zu other waterways patrolmen. a D am Vacation Bureau, Box 844, Warren, Pa. 16365. Contin ued from page 14 "white water canoeing as an organizational activity began with the formation of the Penn State Outdoor Club's Canoe CANOE Division by Tom Smyth in 1957, and there has been a COMEBACK slight increase in participation over the last six or seven u years." th K 0s acHv-. tels, reports "a tremendous increase in canoeing Sweet has divided local canoeing activity into two cate AYIJ ln western portion of the state." gories: cruisers and the racers. \veSr "^tributes a guide to canoeing on the rivers of The racers, said Sweet, prefer specially designed fiber en qu; . " nsylvania and during the past year, said Sund- glass white water racing craft—both canoes and kayaks— nat gyj' organization distributed at least 300 canoeing because of their ease of handling and maneuverability. t e or n0 note 1 ^ ^ ^ publicity. "With some help," he "Cruisers, on the other hand," said Sweet, "generally thi-o ' American Youth Hostels could have distributed e stick to the standard model of aluminum canoes although T to fivev "\ir.~ " times as many guides in one year. some are adopting the racing design for trips for the very u c mn a few years,' he estimated, "the most popular same reasons as well as their ability to navigate rough 'aii0 \yj]] , n§ areas, such as the upper and lower Youghiogheny, water." "Th Cl°gged witn canoeists." At present there is no one guide covering all the canoe rea Watp „ son for canoeing popularity on this stretch of ing waters of Pennsylvania. it rl„ ' ur>dquist said, "is because there is always water— However for more detailed information on the rivers of ' t dry up during the hot summer months." western Pennsylvania contact: American Youth Hostels Col] canoeing enthusiast is John Sweet, of State Inc., 6300 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh 32, Pa. tW ' wno indicates that participation in the sport in For information on the rivers of eastern Pennsylvania Section l969 of the state reached its peak about 1961 or contact: Robert McNair, 32 Dartmouth Circle, Swarth- irior anc* ^as remained at that level, or with just a slight more, Pa. 19081. McNair is a member of the Buck Ridge ^ease, since then. Ski Club which distributes a canoeing guide prepared by n advisor to the Penn State Outdoor Club, Sweet said Jeff Wilhoyte. M *ftCH-19 69 27 ON THE ALLEGHENY- NEW CHAMPS EMERGE DURING ANNUAL CONTEST by Steve Szalewicz CHAMPION JOHN HL'DEC, tallest, and left to right William Arrow, 2nd, Fayette, 1966 champion: Robert Divido, Nanty-Glo. 3rd; and Ralph Santneci, Clarksville, 4th. JOHN HUDEC OF PITTSBURGH won the ninth Hudec has some advice for anglers who claim their annual Pennsylvania State Fishing Tournament held luck has been "bad" since the installation of the in Tidioute, Warren County, in October. Kinzua Dam at Warren a few years ago. "You have to change your method of fishing. I Hudec's two-day catch consisted of 12 walleyes used to wade out to my best holes. Now the Kinzua and 10 bass. He caught the walleye on minnows and is keeping the Allegheny River level several inches the bass on hellgrammites. higher. Like the 1967 champion, Doug Perrett of Pleasant- "It's impossible to reach many of the good spots ville, Hudec is a college student. Twenty years old, now without a boat. I've adjusted my fishing to he is a health and physical education major at Slip these changes," he said. pery Rock State College. If he can read his text The 1968 contest at Tidioute drew the most par books like he can "read" the river, college courses ticipants and they in turn produced the best catches should be a "snap." ever for the two-day period—226 bass, walleyes, The new champion made his catches in Yeager's northern pike and muskellunge. Eddy, about three miles down the Allegheny River Hudec received, in addition to a trophy and crown, from Tidioute. a check for $150. SOME OF the 226 fish caught in the contest; in big ice-filled fish box. CROWD AWAITING announcement of winner. Sii^iliea 28 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE# A FISH IMG FEATURE FOR FISHERMEN PROM FISV4ERMEU LEFT—PROBABLY BIGGEST miiskellunge caught in Pennsyl vania during 1968 was this 52 inch, 37 pound whopper captured by angler Robert White of Albion. White was fishing Conneaut Lake in Crawford County, using a 12 inch sucker as bait when he made the catch in mid October. He, of course, won a spot in Pennsylva nia's Husky Musky Club as well as a Pennsylvania Angler Fishing Citation. RIGHT—RIDGWAY ANGLER Jeff Marzella holds nice 181/-! inch rainbow he caught opening day last year just below the Ridgway Reservoir. He was using salmon eggs when he made the catch. 431/ . ALLEN of Sharpsville with the LEWISTOWN ANGLER Frank 0. ROCKY BAGGIOSSI, 15, of Sharpsville lial m°^' "^V- P0lind miiskellunge that Cupper is probably one of the first holds 22 inch, 4 pound channel catfish of P m one °' tne y°l,n8est members anglers to catch a legal miiskellunge which won him a Junior Pennsylvania l^ynnsylvania Husky Musky Club. The from the Juniata River in Mifflin County. Angler Fishing Citation. He caught it fish "year-old angler caught the big Cupper landed this SQVi inch musky on a nightcrawler from the Shenango Q °n a nightcrawler from Crawford June 30 last year and received an Honor River in Mercer County. Unty's Pymatuning Lake last April. able Mention Award. LEFT—DONALD PATTERSON of Lilly holds the 38 inch, 14 pound northern pike he caught while fishing Glendale Lake in Cambria County last fall. Patter son landed the Citation size fish with spinning gear. RIGHT —MARK ABRAHAM, right, caught 28l/i inch northern pike while fishing Ridgway Reser voir during the summer of 1968. With him is Roger Dillion. Both are from Ridgway. (photo cour tesy Ridgway Record) ;B ^RCH-1969 29 A PISHING FEATURE FOR FISWERMEW • FROM PISHERMEU LEFT—NEWTOWN ANGLER Walter G. Bowditch Jr. won a Pennsylvania Angler Fishing Ci tation when he landed this 15V2 in., 1 lb., 15 oz. black crappie at Little Mud Pond, Pike County. JIM LEGROS of St. Benedict holds nice stringer of largemouth bass he caught while fishing Lake Glendale at Prince Gallitzin State Park. Fishing late evenings and early mornings, he consistently lands nice ones like these using purple artificial nightcrawlers and poppers. SCOTT BUBAR, 9, of West LAURELDALE FISHERMAN Walter Brownsville holds big carp holds 39 inch. 15 pound northern pike he caufl he caught last spring while during the fall from Ontelaunee Lake in Be' fishing at the Confluence Dam County. He was using spinning gear and minn° , in Somerset County. He won a when he caught it. He, of course, won a PennS JEFF SHIPMAN of Mechanicsburg Junior Fishing Citation. vania Angler Fishing Citation. holds 25%-in., 8-lb. carp that won him a Junior Pennsylvania Fishing Citation. The 10-year-old angler used a soft shell crab when he made the catch. BE SURE...... to include your name and complete mailing address ON THE BACK of the pictures you send to Fish Tales as well as all information about the catch such as place caught, date caught, length and weight of catch, type of equipment used, bait and fishing method. Allow several months for publication. Let's see the big ones YOU catch in 1969! CARBONDALEANS Jos. Arnese (L) WM. TRUTT, New Cumberland won a FISHERMEN Walter Hargraves of B$ and Pat Vadala (R) hold big trout caught Senior Penna. Fishing Citation last fall lenberg, Drew Coffman of Berwick, - fishing Lake Wallenpaupack. Arnese when he landed a 30-in., 15-lb. channel Robert Fowler of Glen Lyon hold ^ holds 21 in. brown and 17 in. rainbow. catfish from the Susquehanna River, stringer of bass and walleye they cawS Vadala holds 18 in. rainbow. Perry Co. He used a fly rod and crayfish. late in September from Sylvan Lake northeastern Pennsylvania. 30 PENNSYLVANIA ANGL^ k I^^JHFUL ANGLERS Peter Stumpf and David ger Somerset with a pair of largemouth thheey caught during a fishing contest last his Tl?' ^ second prize was awarded Hauger for '*% inch largemouth. FATHER AND SON Ken Waggoner Sr. and Ken Waggoner Jr. both of the Boiling Springs area won the two top awards in the annual Allenberry I"l\ Fishing Award contest last summer. Ken Jr. holds the 24% in. brownie he caught after his father landed a 21% in. brownie from the Yellow Breeches. LY CORRINE M. COLEMAN of Honesdale S DE BUELL, FISH COMMISSION FISHERMAN WILLIAM KOZA of '"III nte Laflin holds 19 inch, 2 pound 8 ounce holds 22 inch, 5 pound largemouth which nance foreman of Region II holds she caught while fishing Lake Cajaw. Kiatcn of largemouth bass he made at brown trout he caught from Monroe e County's Deep Lake last spring. He was She was using spinning gear and a ty . Somerset this fall. The largest rapala. The big bass fell just one inch ed 41/2 ounds and using spinning tackle and nightcrawlers 'Uch P measured 20% when he caught the nice brownie. short of Citation size. hes- Both were caught on a jitterbug. FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD Bruce Nicholson of Dravos- ?URTEEN-YEAR-OLD Rodney Stan- STOYSTOWN ANGLER Wil liam McVicker holds 41% burg (right) became a Junior Pennsylvania An [* of McKeesport holds nice ram'-ows gler Citation winner when he landed this 14% J caught while fishing Sandy Lake. One inch, 17% pound muskel- 'K l inch, % pound bullhead while fishing the Mo- t/ he fish measured 15% inches while lunge caught at Lake Somer e set. It won him membership nongahela River in Allegheny County. He was ce"' ,i other was 17% inches. Both fell to using worms when he made the catch. temptation of cheese. in the Husky Musky Club. 4 \ 31 i AR CH —1 969 CASTINGW1 ™ COOPS ] A MONTHLY FEATURE ABOUT CO-OP NURSERY PROJECTS By BILL PORTER COOPERATION HAS LONG BEEN THE KEY WORD Tom Tingle, the nursery feeder, chimed in at this po'1' in this column and the Bald Eagle Sportsmen's Club, near to indicate more of the cooperative thing. "Our club ov»' Tyrone, typifies the use of the term. Let's check the his- a vote of thanks to the Juniata Packing Company of TyrO1" tory of the Blair County group a little closer for some proof. for the donation of meat that is ground for us by the c0$ Founded originally in 1945 by F. S. Ambrose, an old fox pany. They give us the stuff each week. It's good f°0' trapper, the organization didn't begin to raise fish for area and the trout gobble it up. Without this gift we'd have streams until 1955. Considerable assistance and advice real problem if we had to buy all of our feed," and T"|: oi came from the people at the Federal Fish Hatchery at went on into a string of statistics to prove his point. e Lamar. About 10,000 brown trout were placed in a section A few of the figures might be worth injecting at this sp° of Van Scoyc Run, and in spite of inexperience, over 8,000 Not counting the 1968 fish, the club has stocked 203,0°' ^ of them were stocked in the spring of 1956. legal fish in Blair and Centre County waters. Total c°!' 1, Expansion was in order and the club purchased 600 feet to the club over the 12 year period was $3160. This wof 0j of Big Fill Run near the club grounds. Two rather large out to an average of about 17,000 legal fish a year w* ^ ponds were built and 20,000 browns were placed in resi an average cost of $265 to feed them. The vote of than'' v< dence. Again the Lamar folks came to the aid of the club to the packing firm is obvious. re with technical advice and other forms of assistance. Par While cudos were being passed around, Tom mention^' A ticular thanks from the club went to Superintendent Tanner the help within the club itself. "We have a good fish coi'1 f|i of the federal fishery. mittee with John Dunkel at the head of it. He makes' *a go—in fact, a lot of fellows around here think of John * 1' 'Mr. Bald Eagle Sportsman'—and that's what any cW ' needs—a sparkplug." However, it hasn't been all sunshine and roses at $* Bald Eagle club. This year, for instance, there has bee> 1 a slightly higher mortality rate. As a result the club pla' f( to stock all of its fish prior to April's trout season. Usua'" ,j e a few thousand are held back each year so that some larg c, fish may be stocked. When the stocking is completed, ti1' g ponds and raceways will be drawn, treated and clean6' well in time for the arrival of the new fingerlings later ''' the year. . Some human predator problems have developed, too, v though on a small scale. Club members have erected nig'' lights and the lower pond, containing the two-year old fis'1, a is protected by a double-apron barbed wire fence th* GROUP GATHERS on grounds of Bald Eaide Sportsmen's nursery would do credit to any Green Beret outfit. Club member near Tyrone. From left to rijiht they're Paul Buyers, Pennsylvania emphasized that this was a minor problem. Tingle e»' Fish Commission; Tom Tingle, club feeder; and Jake Friday, only remaining charter member of the club. pressed it for the group by saying "Most guys around he> , do the right thing—we don't lose many fish from stealing' • The Pennsylvania Fish Commission took official notice Streams benefiting from the efforts of the Bald Eag' (. of the Bald Eagle nursery in 1957 and has been working Sportsmen include: the Bald Eagle Creek and its tribi1' ^ with the group ever since. About 30,000 fingerlings are taries, Van Scoyc Run, Big Fill Run, Millers Run, California provided each year along with technical assistance through Run, Trout Run, Cold Stream Run and Six Mile Ru»- Bob Brown and Paul Byers of the Fish Commission. The streams course through Blair and Centre Counties Jake Friday, last of the original charter members and And that about wraps up the story of cooperation as fe' our guide, went on with the story. "In 1962 we enlarged lated to the Bald Eagle Sportsmen's Cooperative Nursery'; a bit to the two ponds and the two concrete raceways that The membership is looking ahead to the next batch ° ' you see now. We added the lower pond to hold over a Pennsylvania Fish Commission fingerlings so that they en'1 ' few larger fish in 1963. Other than maintaining the nurs continue to prove that Casting with the Co-ops pays diV' ery, we've made no major changes in the last five years." dends for Pennsylvania fishermen. J 32 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE$ W *yCapt. JACK ROSS, Editor and Publisher of "Three Rivers Boating Guide" *rom V. T. L., Homer City: notify him that you have the boat. If there are no num bers, advertise in your local paper under "lost and found" 1 here seem to be a lot of complaints about the inboard- and make inquiries at nearby docks. If no one claims the "board units on manu new boats. Which make is the best?" boat, you can of course keep it. However, if the owner can be found, your salvage right is limited to a claim for the reasonable value of your services in saving his property. Most of the difficulties owners have experienced with e You can retain possession of the boat until you are paid, H>. sterndrive units can be traced to one of two major and charge storage in the meantime. In the event that the Uses: (a) mistreatment of the equipment, or (b) lack owner refuses to pay anything, but demands his boat back, maintenance. All of the major manufacturers of these lts you will possibly require the services of an attorney. have had some development problems, but have been T good about correcting these under warranties. The ^1 Problems come from abuse of the unit by the operator, common cause of lower unit gear failures is shifting too , lc*ty from forward to reverse. This chews up the gears From L. A. S., Northeast: ster than anything known, except for the other most fre- "How can I determine the true value of a boat I am HUent fault—failure to lubricate the unit. Most sterndrive considering purchasing?" its with a history of trouble are owned by people who ve previously owned only inboard boats with conven- —This is a little like asking how high is up, but here are . na' shaft arrangements. The marine transmissions used some general thoughts on the subject. First off, unless 'hese plants will stand a good deal of emergency astern you are really an expert, I would suggest employing a 0rk, and of course, there is nothing in the water that qualified marine surveyor to inspect the boat thoroughly. Quires lubrication. Outboarders who switch to stern- This service costs between $1.50 and $2.50 per foot of the lve power have much better success, since they are ac- boat length, plus travel. Your insurance company can stomed to treating their equipment more sensibly and recommend a qualified surveyor in your area. The surveyor §lv»ng it proper lubrication. will report to you on the condition of the boat, in detail, and include an appraisal that takes into consideration such things as local market conditions, the availability of and demand for that particular model, the boat's equipment, From C. J. R., Sharpsville: and many other things. Armed with this information, you will know generally what the boat is worth, but that is still 'What is a practical way to add flotation to my 16-foot only half the solution. Your next step, and often the ttlurninum fishing boat?" hardest, is to convince the seller that he should part with •Try installing thin planks of styrofoam inside the hull the boat at what you feel is a reasonable price. Good luck. Plat ing up under the gunwales. This can be glued in place Uh a special compound sold by the firms handling styro- °arn. The reason for keepng the material high in the boat s to keep it floating upright when full of water. If you use From A. T. H., Belle Vernon: ^"o-inch thick material, each square foot will float about "Where can I get information on building a reinforced- ten pounds. concrete boat?" —The only publications we know dealing with this re cent development (recent as applied to pleasure boats, that From J. L. M., New Kensington: is; barges and other large floating structures have been While pulling my docks out of the Allegheny this fall made of ferro-cement for years in Europe) are two avail found a sunken 14-foot fhhing boat. Can I keep this as able from Samson Marine Design Enterprises Ltd., P.O. salvage?" Box 98, Ladner, B.C., Canada. The full treatment is "How to Build a Ferro-Cement Boat," at $9.75. A shorter but —•Not so fast. If the boat has bow numbers, write the very complete work is "A Manual of Ferro-Cement Boat P eUnsylvania Fish Commission to find out who owns it, then Building," at $5.00. put it *N"* * " «•» all together— I Subscribe to the y* Pennsylvania Angler {for a friend, too?) ENCLOSED DTWO DOLLARS (one year) DFIVE DOLLARS (three years) • Check QVIoney Order NAME- STREET- TOWN- ZIP- -PLEASE ALLOW SIX WEEKS FROM THE FIRST OF NEXT MONTH FOR DELIVERY OF FIRST ISSUE MAIL TO SUBSCRIPTIONS PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION BOX 1673 HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120