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JANUARY, 1937 ^^ 4&1 tyy

OFFICIAL STATE JANUARY, 1937 PUBLICATION ^ANGLER? Vol. 6 No. 1 c'^li =|fS«3

PUBLISHED MONTHLY COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

by the BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS m Five cents a copy — 50 cents a year OLIVER M. DEIBLER Commissioner of Fisheries C. R. BULLER Chief Fish Culturist, Bellefonte

ALEX P. SWEIGART, Editor 111 South Office Bldg., Harrisburg, Pa. MEMBERS OF BOARD • OLIVER M. DEIBLER, Chairman

i 1 « Greensburg MILTON L. PEEK Devon NOTE CHARLES A. FRENCH Subscriptions to the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Elwood City should be addressed to the Editor. Submit fee either HARRY E. WEBER by check or money order payable to the Common­ Philipsburg wealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not acceptable. SAMUEL J. TRUSCOTT Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk. Dal ton DAN R. SCHNABEL 1 1 i Johnstown KDGAR W. NICHOLSON PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contribu­ Philadelphia tions and photos of catches from its readers. Pro­ KENNETH A. REID per credit will be given to contributors. Connellsville All contributions returned if accompanied by first H. R. STACKHOUSE class postage. Secretary to Board

C^/f= —r-tf IMPORTANT—The Editor should be notified immediately of change in subscriber's address Please give both old and new addresses Permission to reprint will be granted provided proper credit notice is given Vol. 6. No. I JANUARY, 1937 'ANGLER1

Then, there is still that other great first choice on 2,029 of these cards, DO IT NOW! army of fishermen, who derive their 833 placed them as second choice and sport by fishing for the common pan- 300 for third choice, making a total LET US KNOW YOUR fish varieties. They, too, very often of 3,162 who voted for trout; the PREFERENCE IN FISHING protest that the bass and trout fisher­ bass fishermen returned 1,741 cards men are getting all the best of it, and It has been the desire of the Fish as their first choice, 1,591 second their sport is being neglected at the Commission to be the servant of those choice, and 232 third choice, making cost of the others. ^ho make up the vast army of an­ a total vote in favor of the bass of glers throughout the state, and whose Perhaps there may be some justifi­ 3,564, while those favoring the pan- license money supports the activities cation in these complaints, as viewed fishes made a total of 3,255 votes. °f the Commission. by the individual angler, who possi­ The Board has likewise been very In order that the Commission bly is not familiar with the propagat­ anxious to get the reaction of the ^ight serve this great army of an­ ing work of the Board, but on the fishermen concerning night fishing. glers in the best possible way, and other hand, how is the Board to de­ On the cards returned, the bass fish­ also according to the wishes of the termine just what proportion of our ermen voted 897 for night fishing and greater majority, the Board decided anglers prefer to fish for trout or 1,126 against. Trout fishermen voted several years ago to include with each bass or the common food fishes, un­ 366 for night fishing, and 1,024 fisherman's license a return postcard, less we hear from the majority of against. Those voting for all species which, if returned, would give the those who make up our fishing fra­ voted 251 for night fishing and 1,895 Commission the information they so ternity, and do not base our judg­ against. ^uch need in order to carry on the ment on the reports of a mere \y%% If policies were to be formed by the work as the majority of the fisher­ of our fishermen; in other words, we expression, as contained in these very men would desire. hear from three anglers out of every 200 we have in the state. If the fish­ meager returns, it can readily be seen However, from the very meager re­ erman would take five minutes of what their future course would have turns of these cards, which would time and fill out this card instead of to be. It is, therefore, the sincere Squire less than five minutes time to spending hours discussing and criti­ wish of the Board, which desires to fiU in, if the Board were to judge cizing in this matter, the Board be nothing more than the servant of alone from these reports, they would the majority of our fishermen, that ar would then have the information that rive at the conclusion that our fish- is vitally necessary in order to serve this majority would send in, as soon ertten were not very much interested as possible, the cards they still have ln the different classes of fishermen in what the Board was doing. Three an intelligent and equitable manner, in their possession, so that when new hundred thousand of these cards legislation will be considered at the were distributed among the fisher­ If these 4,000 cards, that have been present session of the Legislature the men this past year, and only 4,243 returned, could be taken as a correct Board may be guided wisely and will have been returned, or less than cross-section of what the vast army be expressing the wish of the major­ lx/2% of those sent out. of fishermen throughout the state de­ ity of our fishermen and stockhold­ It is very common practice for the sire, the Board should, at once, and ers, when making recommendations fishermen, who are not satisfied with no doubt would, very materially for new legislation or a change in any the work the Board is doing, along change their present policies insofar of our present existing policies. Sonie particular line, to severely enti­ as propagating work is concerned. re such policies, as for instance the In summarizing the reports of ass fishermen may feel too much these 4,000 cards, where it is request­ etuphasis has been placed on trout ed that each fisherman state his pref­ 0r j k, the trout fishermen may feel erence by listing his first, second and th,e same regarding the bass work. third choices, trout were the favorite Commissioner of Fisheries PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

The Pleasant Mount Hatchery THE PLEASANT MOUNT HATCHERY By SAMUEL J. TRUSCOTT, Member, Board of Fish Commissioners

T OCATED at the headwaters of the East feet to huge holding areas, some of which been used. This consists of the gable ends Branch of the Lackawaxen Creek in the exceed 100 acres in extent. of each building being built to the likeness picturesque hills of Wayne County in north­ A modern two-story hatchery building of a keystone—the symbol of the Common' eastern Pennsylvania is the Pleasant Mount has also been constructed. The upper floor wealth of Pennsylvania. Hatchery, largest of the hatcheries oper­ of this building has been used for office Construction of the buildings and ponds ated by the Board of Fish Commissioners. space and the display of native species of at this hatchery was accompanied by a pro­ Annually this hatchery attracts thousands fish life in aquariums for educational pur- gram of landscaping and beautifying the of visitors, for it is easily accessible over .poses. Hatching troughs and hatching bat­ grounds, so that today, in addition to hav­ Highway Route No. 170 and is located near teries have been installed on the ground ing more water under cultivation for.fisl1 the village of Pleasant Mount. floor. The hatching troughs are used in the growing purposes than any other hatchery An Act passed by the Legislature in 1903 hatching and development of the trout, and in eastern United States, it is regarded as authorized the building of Pleasant Mount. the hatching batteries for the incubation one of the beauty spots and show places of of yellow perch and pike perch eggs. the state. So diversified is the cultural work Part of the site was acquired by a gift of 1 land from Miss Allison B. Sterling and Mr. With rapid expansion of the distribution carried on that one or more species of fisl James T. O'Neil of Pleasant Mount. Since of fish by the Board, it also became neces­ eggs are in the process of incubation dur­ that time, the land holdings have been in­ sary to construct a shipping building de­ ing nine months of the year, August, Sep­ creased many-fold through purchases. On signed particularly for the sorting and han­ tember and October excluded. July 15, 1904, ground was broken for the dling of fish essential in preparing them During the past three decades, rapid for­ construction, and first work was started for their journey to the public waters. Ow­ ward strides have been made in all walks near the site of the spring which is now ing to the magnitude of the fish cultural of life. The agriculturists, shopkeepers of the Upper Pumping Station. The first de­ work being carried on at Pleasant Mount, industrialists who have failed to advance velopment consisted of a frame hatchery other buildings, for the storage and prepa­ with the time cannot long survive. Early building, 60 feet long by 20 feet wide, in ration of fish food, storage of trucks, fish hatcheries of the Fish Commission were addition to six small pools. As conditions equipment and materials, were required and designed to meet the needs of that periodi warranted, the development has been ex­ built. In carrying out the architectural de­ and those which could not be changed to panded until, at the present time, it con­ signs of all buildings used in connection meet present-day demands in fish culture sists of 191 ponds and fish holding areas, with the hatching and raising of fish, a have ceased to exist. Fortunately, the varying in size from ponds 10 feet by 20 rather unique and appropriate design has Pleasant Mount hatchery had many natura' PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

^vantages, not required or, for that mat­ ter, even thought of, during the early period J* its growth. These advantages permitted *ts reconstruction to meet the needs of the Present day. Today, most fish raising establishments are called "fish hatcheries." This mislead- 1T1g name dates back to an early date when these establishments were merely hatcheries f°r the incubation of fish eggs. That is, they simply hatched the eggs and the fish Were planted in the fry or very young stage. Under present day conditions, our hatcheries are much more than the name lrnplies, for here not only the eggs are hatched but the fish held and grown before being stocked in the public waters. Prop- erly, these establishments should be known as fish farms, and many of the fish held are of legal catching size or larger when ^leased. Pleasant Mount Hatchery was first de­ signed for the hatching of fish only. Al­ though the East Branch of the Lackawaxen Creek flows through the property, the first Hatching Troughs on Ground Floor of Main Hatchery Building source of water supply used was a small spring near the present site of the Upper ute, but the power obtained through oper­ The location of Pleasant Mount in the •Pumping Station. At that time, the spring ating a pump continuously for a five or lake region of Pennsylvania was to deter­ had a maximum flow of about 125 gallons a six month period was uncertain and costly. mine in part the growing of fishes suitable Minute. Only this spring was used, for the At first, this power was supplied by a gaso­ for stocking these lakes in later years. A chief function of the hatchery was the line engine, but it proved unsatisfactory as series of small earth ponds were built on Uicubation of trout eggs. Even at that time, frequent breakdowns in the engine made the east side of the creek and these were *t was generally recognized that water availability of a steady supply of water very supplied with water direct from the stream. taken from but few streams is suitable for uncertain. When steam power was substi­ However, the same influences that affected this purpose. When the property was ac­ tuted later, it was found more dependable the spring flow, affected the flow of the quired, the spring flow was ample for in­ but highly expensive and its use was also creek and during the summer months there discontinued. cubation of trout eggs. These eggs were in­ was not a sufficient amount of creek water cubated during the winter months and the Sluall fish disposed of. Little water was re­ quired during the summer months. At about this time, lumber interests started to cut the second growth timber 111 this and surrounding drainage areas, destruction of the forests soon had a most Serious effect upon the water flow from the spring. The flow, diminished rapidly each year until there was not sufficient to hatch a Worth-while number of trout eggs with- °Ut the additional use of a portion of the ^ater from the creek. While the creek Water was used for several years it was *°und not suitable for the hatching of the trout eggs or the holding of trout fry, and Results, with both eggs and fish, were very disappointing. In order to offset the lack of suitable trout water, a well was drilled near the spring. This well proved to have a water Supply of approximately 150 gallons a min- Shipping Building

to warrant a development of this character. Consequently, the work proved very discour­ aging and for a time the future of the hatchery appeared unpromising. During the early canal days, a large storage reservoir had been constructed on the extreme headwaters of the creek that flowed through the hatchery property. For a time, this reservoir was leased from the owner and used to impound water for grow­ ing warm water species of fish. Later, it was purchased by the Fish Commission and placed in a good state of repair. This in­ sured a dependable supply of water at all times for the growing of such fish as the black bass, the yellow perch, sunfish, cat­ fish and minnows. After a dependable sup- Main Hatchery Building (Please turn to page 12) 4 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Stream Improvement in Allegheny National Forest By THEODORE C. FEARNOW, Stream Improvement Technician, Allegheny National Forest

pARLY in June, 1935, a project for the •*"' improvement of streams on Allegheny National Forest was initiated by the Forest Service in cooperation with the TJ. S. Bu­ reau of Fisheries. This project was de­ signed to bring about improved fishing con­ ditions in a section that suffered greatly from the removal of timber from its water­ sheds during the lumbering operations of past years. Prior to that time, and within the memory of many persons, the area that is now Allegheny National Forest was well known for its wonderful streams abound­ ing with trout. This Forest contains nearly half a million acres of Government-owned land. Obviously, the development and man­ agement of such a vast public domain, in­ cluding many potentially excellent trout streams, is a matter of paramount interest to the sportsmen of Pennsylvania. In appraising the streams of the Forest prior to the beginning of actual construc­ tion work, a careful analysis of conditions was made to determine the nature and ex­ tent of improvements needed. Stream im­ provement in its broadest sense, has been going on for several years in the Allegheny as a result of protection against forest fires and the growth of trees and vegetation on the watersheds. While lack of shade on The Site of K Dam on Minister Creelc both stream banks and watersheds is still apparent, and many of the trout streams reach relatively high temperatures during the summer months, there is no doubt that conditions are improving. Natural forces are at work that can be relied upon to im­ prove temperature and stream flow condi­ tions each succeeding year as long as fire is kept out. Another factor in favor of trout in Allegheny National Forest is that most of the streams are located at a relatively high elevation, flowing for great distances at an altitude of approximately two thou­ sand feet above sea level. The cool nights that prevail at such elevations do much to­ ward keeping stream temperatures within habitable limits. Even the brook trout, a lover of cold water, is able to withstand comparatively high stream temperatures for short periods of time. Many of the streams on the Allegheny that would oth­ erwise be unsuited for this finny prize are, by reason of the lower temperatures during the cool nights, able to maintain a satis­ factory environment. The methods used by the Forest Service in stream improvement are the result of a large amount of experimental work in the National Forests throughout the country. This work was carried on by a group of Fisheries men who were instructed to in­ The Same Site After the K Dam Has Been Constructed on Minister Creek. The Action of stall any and every device that offered the Water Tends to Dig a Pool, and Excellent Shelter is Afforded promise of rendering satisfactory service Under the Wings on Both Sides in combatting unfavorable stream condi­ tions. As a result of these installations, every type of stream requires special treat­ keep them from rising beyond the poin* many older stream improvement devices ment. For instance, a meandering meadow where trout can survive. In Allegheny For were given tests under varying conditions stream requires the installation of very dif­ est, a variety of conditions have demanded that disclosed the field in which their appli­ ferent devices than the precipitous type of the use of a wide variety of improvement cation was suitable. In addition, many new stream found in mountainous country. In devices. One of the important points ii1 and original types were designed to fit pecu­ many sections of the East, the problem has stream improvement work, particularly oi1 liar local conditions. It was soon found that been to lower stream temperatures or to the National Forests, has been to build de' PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 5

quiet areas at either side of the outlet and darting into the swift water of the center to grasp some morsel of food caught in the current. An important part of the stream im­ provement job on the Forest is the gather­ ing of data to determine the effects of im­ provement work on fish food and other conditions on each stream. By means of a special device, samples of one square foot are taken from the bottom of each stream and the average number of aquatic animals per sample from each stream represents its richness in bottom food. Similar samples taken in subsequent years will help to dis­ close the relative value of various types of improvement work. On each stream a careful count of the fish population is made in selected areas and from these figures, an estimate of the number and size of trout per mile is made. An interesting point brought out by the fish population studies during the past sea­ son is that on many streams, the trout are reduced in numbers to such an extent dur­ ViC . ... ;:'*^- will .•;*. ing the open season that fish of spawning A V-Type Dam With Board Shelter Cover. Cover is Also Afforded Under the Logs Forming size are virtually non-existent at its close. the V. Note the Clearness of the Water Makes it Appear For instance, work on Bear Creek indi­ as if the Stream Were Almost Dry cated that the fish population at the close of the season was only eighty trout per vices substantial enough to withstand floods action that creates the pool will serve to mile, averaging four inches in length. Per­ and anchor ice and yet keep them from ap­ keep it free from debris. In addition, gravel haps the lack of natural propagation in pearing unnatural or unsightly. The use of washed up by the overflow is frequently some of the trout streams, a source of '°gs, rocks and other natural material deposited down stream in a shallow bed much discussion, is due in some meas­ found along the streams has helped greatly that forms an ideal fish food producing ure to the lack of spawning size fish. 111 avoiding this fault. area. At any rate, next year's sport depends During the past summer, five stream im­ Every effort is made to speed the current almost entirely upon artificial stocking. provement projects have been carried on of trout streams through unshaded sections The necessity for artificial stocking can simultaneously in the Forest with a crew in a swift narrow channel to prevent warm­ hardly be questioned under existing condi­ °f from twelve to eighteen men engaged on ing the water. For this purpose, devices tions, but it is felt that a satisfactory plan each job. In all, approximately ten miles of such as the double deflector illustrated are of stream management for the Forest- trout water has been improved on Bear used. This particular device has been very should aim at restoration of conditions un­ Creek and Spring Creek in Elk County, successful in providing conditions attrac­ der which a reasonable amount of natural Salmon Creek, and The Branch in Forest tive to fish. It is a common sight on im­ reproduction can be counted upon to help bounty, and Minister Creek in Warren proved streams to see trout resting in the maintain the trout population. Consequent- pounty. The accompanying photographs 'Uustrate some of the typical installations. Similar devices constructed in the National forest areas of New England have success­ fully withstood both floods and anchor ice since the summer of 1934. Perhaps the most common defect in the '*out streams on the Forest is lack of suit- able shelter. Many of the streams are aImost continuous riffles. The rubble bot­ toms of such streams produce much fish food, but the maximum fish carrying capac- %• cannot be obtained unless the streams afford shelter where trout can hide from their natural enemies. By constructing oarns to form pools and shelter, such streams have been changed to provide alter­ nate pools and riffles. From these shelters, fish can range into the riffle areas to feed, j^ost fishermen recognize the fact that it js difficult to induce fish, particularly large ^out, to remain in streams where shelter atld pools are not present. Improving the shelter on trout streams will also do much to prevent the fishing out of stocked trout early in the season, which in itself will aid Materially in improving fishing conditions. . Particular care is taken to locate dams 5j shaded areas and to keep them low. *ools formed by the digging action of an °yerflow are much less likely to fill in with Type of Double Deflector, Only Partially Completed Showing Construction. The Purpose of Sl Such an Installation is to Speed Up the Current Through Long lt than those obtained by backing up Sections of Quiet Water. Excellent Shelter is Afforded *ater with a high dam. The same washing Under the Triangle Sections on Each Side. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

pounds nine ounces; second prize, reel, JameS Eckert, who caught a 26-inch salmon weigh' ing 5 pounds eight and one half ounces! largest trout, Roy Rode, rod; second priza Charles Datesman, reel. Edward Murray: Columbia, R. 1, was awarded a Woolricli shirt for bagging the largest pheasant whid1 weighed three pounds, four ounces and Ray mond Harple, received a similar shirt fof bagging the largest deer. Harple's buck, 4 six pointer, weighed 130 pounds. One hundred rabbits of 1,584 alloted Lan­ caster county were liberated in the Colum­ bia vicinity according to a report by dep­ uty game warden Jere Culp. Columbia's quota was distributed by Culp and Fred Stoll. Culp reported also that he found foul rabbits caught in traps in the Columbia area. He urged that local trappers refraifl from setting traps in holes which is con­ trary to state laws, stipulating that it is illegal to set traps in holes for fur bearing animals. Plans were made to hold a crow shoot in the near future. All local sportsmen are invited to participate in the shoot the time and place of which will be announced later. A Type C Dam on Bear Creek. The Depth of the Pool in the Foreground Increased Fron The association went on record as opposed Approximately 6 Inches at Time of Installation to Nearly 4 Feet Three Months After Installation. to the increase in hunting licenses and in­ structed their delegates to the County Fed­ eration to vote against it. ly, the improving of spawning conditions management work on the Forest. is a definite part of stream improvement Sylvester B. Fry, newly elected president, work. Surely it is not good husbandry to presided at the meeting and named the fol­ neglect the potential capacity of our COLUMBIA ANGLERS lowing committees: Trophy committee, Jos streams to supply fish within themselves by eph Lyle; game, Jere Culp; Raymond Har­ natural means. WIN CONTEST AWARDS ple, Maris McMillan, Charles Walk, James Schlotthauer; fish committee, Walter Baum- Each improved stream is classified for At the December meeting of the Colum­ gardner, Walter Mann, Charles Holland, riffles and pools on the basis of size, type, bia Fish and Game Association, Lancaster James Eckert and John Holland. Fifty-two and frequency of occurrence. In addition, County, prizes were awarded for fish and new members were admitted. . pictures of many of the improvement loca­ game trophies taken during the past year. tions are made before and after construc­ All fish and game were weighed in at the It was reported also that WPA and NYA tion of the devices from permanent camera local hardware store. workers have been working the past fevi points. Similar pictures can be made in the Those winning prizes were: John Hoover, weeks in erecting shelters for game in future to show graphically the physical Mountville, fishing rod, largest bass. Hoo­ Columbia fields and woodlands. It is esti­ changes brought about by each device. Ad­ ver's catch weighed five pounds and was mated that 50 have been built and the asso­ ministrative studies covering other impor­ 22% inches in length. Richard Baumgard- ciation urges that every one co-operate in tant phases of the work will be set up as ner was awarded first prize, fishing rod, keeping these shelters intact so that game the occasion demands in order to furnish for the largest Susquehanna salmon which will have a place to feed during the cold pertinent information for future stream was 26% inches long and weighed six spells and when snow is on the ground.

FEDERATION WILL MEET FEBRUARY 12 Announcement has been made that the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs will hold its pre-legislative meeting at the State Capitol on February 12. It is understood the meeting will be a 2- day affair.

SPONSOR PROJECTS The County Commissioners of Lancaster, Berks and York Counties, at the request of organized sportsmen in those counties, have sponsored stream improvement proj­ ects in the three counties that will total over $100,000 in expenditures, according to R. S. Sullenberger of Lancaster. The work will be completed through Works Progress Administration funds. Two gangs of workmen will carry through the improvement projects on Lancaster County trout streams, one gang will do the work in York County, and two will carry One of the Dams on Spring Creek Improvement Project in Forest out the program in Berks County. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

ANNOUNCING A BOOKLET EVERY FISHERMAN NEEDS

When you catch a bass, can you tell by a glance at it whether it is a large- mouth or smallmouth? Can you promptly identify one of the popular panfish, the bluegill sunfish, the rock bass or the calico bass? Are you able to readily classify the pickerel, wall-eyed pike, muskellunge, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, the bullhead catfish, sucker, yellow perch, fallfish and carp? If you can do this accurately, you may not be interested in the most unusual booklet on fish ever to be published, a booklet that every angler needs. In brief, the Board of Fish Commissioners now makes it possible for every fisherman to know the fish he is catching. The booklet "Common Fishes of Pennsylvania," we believe, is unique in several ways. First of all, Fred Everett, nationally known painter, has repro­ duced in their actual living colors, all of the fishes we have just mentioned. They are as perfect in this respect as it has been possible to paint them. It shore riles me ter hear some o' this Accompanying each painting is a word description of the species, something kickin' from one er two fellers up this way 'bout the huntin' this fall. T'other night Joe of its habits and range. The booklet will not be large, but so much detail has Wall an' me was sittin' over in the store been worked out in the paintings and descriptions that through it, even a fish­ when who blows in but Jake Lukis. Never erman on stream or lake for the first time is able to identify his catch. seen Jake but what he was hollerin' about how poor fishin' er huntin' was, an' enny- During the past five years, hundreds of requests for just this type of in­ one thet knows him knows thet he's one o' formation have been coming to the Fish Commission. Word descriptions alone the prime fish an' game hogs in this here are at best inadequate in explaining the appearance of a certain fish. Black and neck o' the woods. white reproductions also fail to tell the facts as they should. Only an artist He set the ball a-rollin' right off the bat by pipin' up 'bout how scarce rabbits was of exceptional skill is capable of depicting a living fish, insofar as color is con­ an' thet there wasn't squirrels enuf ter cerned, faithfully. And Everett has accomplished just this. bother huntin' em. Jest how many rabbits did ye kill, Jake, "Common Fishes of Pennsylvania" is certain to fill a long felt need for sez Joe. Killed 15 an' hunted most all- Pennsylvania anglers. It may be secured by sending twenty-five cents ($.25), fired hard fer 'em, he comes back. As fer in the form of a check, money order or cash, to the Board of Fish Commis­ squirrels, 10 was all I got. sioners, Harrisburg, Pa., or it will be given ABSOLUTELY FREE with each Man, thet sure burned Joe an' me up. new yearly subscription to PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER at the regular sub­ Why, you cussed oP pot-hunter, sez Joe, it's fellers like you thet does more ter hurt our scription rate of fifty cents ($.50) a year. huntin' then all the rest. Ye knowed right Send in for your copy, under one of these two plans, right away. We're well thet last winter done more harm ter the game than all the shootin' o' the past certain you will not be disappointed. Order your copy at once, and why not a three years. An' when me an' Jerry an' a few extras for some of your fishing pals, who will enjoy and appreciate a copy few o' the other boys was burnin' ourselves of this beautiful booklet more than any other gift costing many times more. out carryin' out corn an' scratch feed in snow drifted five feet deep in places, whut did ye do? Why ye set back by the stove an' let things ride. Now, then, we pulled through some game, enuf ter satisfy enny CHECK UP BEFORE when they sign a petition what they are ac­ hunter thet knowed what happened last SIGNING PETITIONS tually signing. In this case, 500 students winter an' enny feller thet hunts fer the petitioned to have their heads cut off. sport o' it. The first impulse either an individual or "Five hundred Temple University stu­ I'd been keepin' quiet fer a long time con- a group has when they wish to present a dents have pledged themselves to cut off re siderin', an' I shore unloaded my mind ter quest or make an impression of the im­ their heads. Jake then an' there. I told him jest whut portance of an idea that has suddenly "A petition was circulated on the campus I been tellin' the other boys up here an' dawned upon them is to circularize a peti­ to learn how many undergraduates read they're shore lookin' at it the same way I tion and forward same to the proper author- what they signed. The 500 didn't. At the lWes. Perhaps there was a time when a peti­ do. I figger we live in the greatest game bottom of a request for an extra holiday state in this here country, an' I, fer one, tion with a goodly number of names at­ was: tached carried some significance and im­ am fer givin' our Game Commission the portance, but of late years the very common " 'We are resolved to spend the day in praise they oughter have. Practice of petitioning for many things of merrymaking and leisure at which time Enny feller thet knows what last winter kittle or no importance at all has been the each one will decapitate himself with ex­ done to our game should thank his lucky Case, cheapening and lessening the impor­ treme joy.'" stars thet the Game Commission has done tance of a great majority of the petitions A few good personal letters well-written, the great job it done with makin' possible today. clearly expressing the desire of the peti­ the shootin' we hed this year. Ef it hadn't tioners, in many instances will produce bet­ been fer the perfection an' feedin' an' stock- A very good illustration of how little ter results than most petitions, which are in' they did, we'd not be havin' shootin' at *QSt petitions mean and how few of the usually signed by great numbers of people, all. Why this year down in the big swamp spiers of the petitions actually know what who little understand what is contained in an' around it, there was more ringneck they are petitioning for, the following arti- the petition or the object which is sought roosters killed then has been killed in years. r8 Was taken from the Philadelphia Public after. Most of such petitions usually find The same goes fer wild turkeys, an' I fig­ Jjedger several years ago, which clearly their way to the waste paper baskets or are ger the deer we got now are jest about the ^lustrates how little most people know filed away for future (?) reference. (Please turn to Page 15) 8 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER TROUT STREAM INSECTS By CHAS. M. WETZEL

(Part 3) knobbed appendages on each side of the paupack where this insect appears in large CTONE flies in general do not appear in thorax replacing the hind wings. numbers, the wind often collects the float­ ^ the immense swarms characterized by The majority of these flies appear over ing pupae in thick scum-like patches. The the mayflies and caddis flies. Although we the water during late summer but certain adult is more or less a nocturnal fly and at may find the nymph under almost every species may be noticed throughout the year. night can be seen in great numbers swarm­ stone we turn over, yet their numbers in In December while out deer hunting, I ob­ ing around the lights near the streams. the winged stage are usually very small. served a number of small crane flies flying It is small in size, in appearance resem­ In this respect they are like certain of the in the snow near the headwaters of a nar­ bles the mosquito and the male is conspicu­ Sialidae, especially the Dobson fly, or the row mountain stream. These insects belong ous by his large, fan-shaped plumose anten­ winged helgramite. There are exceptions, to the two winged flies, order of Diptera nae. The sketch of this insect Chironomus, of course, to the above, for the Yellow Sal­ family Tipulidae. Louis Rhead in his I have slightly enlarged in order to bring ly, Chloroperla bilineata, appears at times "American Trout Stream Insects" (prob­ out the details. The artificial fly tied on a in fair numbers. Among entomologists this ably following after Theakston's nomencla­ number sixteen or eighteen hook is good fly is called the green stone fly, but fisher­ ture), gives the name of spinners to this for taking trout late in the season—a time men universally know it as the Yellow group of flies—a name which was in cur­ when it prototype is most abundant over Sally. Its description is as follows: length rent use and commonly accepted as belong­ the water. to tip of wings one-half inch; antennae or ing to the imago stage of the mayflies, be­ The Cowdung fore the time of Ronald's (1837) down to feelers one-fourth inch more; setae or tail The prototype of the cowdung trout fly whiskers, two-thirds as long as the abdomen, the present day. Although very few crane flies have been is Scatophaga stercoraria, an insect that hardly surpassing the tips of wings; color, gets its name from its habit of feeding on light green, brownish on the back; setae classified and identified, yet the fly tyer has a vast number to imitate—insects varying the excrement of cattle. This fly is another and antennae brown; legs green; wings, of the Diptera. The family was originally green, veins faintly tinted with brown. from the size of a mosquito, to the large crane fly Tipula illustrated in the sketch. called Cordyluridae; later on it was changed In this same group of stone flies we have to Scatophagidae, the name under which it the willow, Nemoura variegata, a brownish The artificial flies known as the spiders— flies with long hackles—are probably the is now known. insect approximately the size of the Yellow The picture of the insect I have enlarged Sally and with antennae as long as the best imitation of this group of insects. Cer­ tain realistic and tricky effects may be se­ about one and a half times and it is prob­ body; and then we also have the large ably best imitated on a number fourteen stone fly, Perla, that is so often observed cured in imitating the long legs, by secur­ ing six fibres from the tail feather of a hook. The color of the male, when newly resting on the bushes bordering the stream. hatched, is a bright yellow, that of the fe­ This latter insect like the willow is brown large bird and tying two knots in each to represent the joints. male a greenish brown; both sexes are in color but much larger in size. I have clothed with yellowish hair. Like the blue drawn the picture of this fly very near to The Blue Bottle bottle it is a land fly and appears only on full scale. As the majority of us know the The blue bottle is one of the flesh or blow the water as a casualty, that is when blown Yellow Sally, the willow and the stone fly there by strong winds. are among old reliable trout flies. flies and belongs to the order of Diptera, family Sarcophagidae. It lays several hun­ The stone fly nymph spends its life under dred small eggs on meat and dead animals. The Alder Fly stones or other debris which is continually These hatch in about twenty-four hours and The alder is one of the oldest artificial being washed by fresh water. The riffles in are then known as maggots. They then bury trout flies and originated in Europe. In this streams are ideal places for its develop­ themselves and in about two weeks the country, the insect it imitates is known as ment. During the first warm days of spring, adults emerge. They are frequently down Sialis infumata, the smoky alder fly. This the full grown nymphs crawl out on the on the water on windy days—a time when insect is very similar to the English alder stones at the water's edge and there the the artificial appears the most successful. Sialis Iutaria, only smaller in size. Its de­ nymphal skin splits open permitting the The insect illustrated in the sketch is known scription is as follows: length to tip of perfect fly to escape, All observant trout as Lucilia sylvarum and is the prototype of wings nine-sixteenths of an inch, male fishermen have noticed these cast skins, the blue bottle trout fly. somewhat smaller; antennae black, and curiously like the living larva, but dry and equal to the body in length; legs and feet empty and with a gaping slit along the The Midge Fly black; wings, smoky black, the veins thick back of the thorax where the fly emerged. This fly is another of the Diptera and is and blacker; body, black, with shining yel­ The adults are usually grey or greenish and low streaks and spots. The illustration of found on practically all of our trout streams as their color blends with the foliage bor­ the fly is about one and three-fourths nat­ dering the stream, they are more or less —at times it appears in immense numbers. ural size that of the nymph slightly en­ inconspicuous and rarely noticed, unless one The larvae are aquatic creatures and dwell larged. The nymph's description follows: takes the trouble to look for them. In re­ in gelatinous tubes attached to stones in length, about seven-eighths of an inch, tail pose, the wings of the insect lie flat over the stream bed. These cases are more or three-eighths of an inch more; head and its back—a position which should be fol­ less transparent and when washed clear of thorax, yellow above, brown beneath; ab­ lowed in fashioning the artificial. the adherent silt, the red larva is clearly domen, transparent brown on the back, visible within. Because of this color, they somewhat below. are known as blood worms. At night, the Crane Flies larvae often leave their cases and go swim­ The alder nymph spends its life in the The larvae of crane flies are found in the ming considerable distances with figure of sand and gravel perhaps six inches to a foot muck and dead leaves in the stream bed. eight loopings of the body. below the bed of the stream. They are car­ Certain species bore in the stems of water The pupae at first are red but the color nivorous insects, feeding on other larvae, logged twigs, but the majority are prob­ soon changes to buff, the shade of the adult occasionally turning cannibal and eating ably found in the earth away from the insect. Within a few days of the transfor­ each other. Pupation occurs in the ground, water. Little is known concerning the life mation of the larva, the pupa rises to the some distance from the water. Emergence habits of this group. surface and floats there, head downward, takes place around the middle of May and The larva is worm-like in form and has descending when disturbed, but quickly ris­ all through the month of June. This fly is six protuberances at the end of its ab­ ing again. I might here add that the arti­ quite abundant on Penn's Creek, and on domen; the adult insect is conspicuous by ficial nymph should be tied with its head warm sunny days the adults may be noticed its long legs which immediately break off reversed on the hook, a position imitating flying low over the water. The female de­ when one picks up the fly. Another way of the larva as it hangs head downward near posits her eggs on such places as the under­ identifying this group is by the small the surface of the water. On Lake Wallen- -lease turn to page 13) PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 9

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aft>#/ »/* 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER BALANCED STOCKING Planting of Various Species of Fishes Vital for Better Fishing By ALEX P. SWEIGART

numbers. The next link in the chain of e*' istence for the flesh-eating fishes comes with the spawning, usually in May or Jund of the golden shiners, which are also very prolific. Both the young perch and young pickerel find in the vast numbers of these baby fish an abundant food supply, while the larger shiners furnish a vital source o' food for the adult perch and pickerel. Since the sunfish is a shore feeder, relying in its foraging upon insect larva and hatches, crustaceans, and organisms such as th6 earthworm which may be washed from the shoreline, and the catfish is a bottom feeder^ depending chiefly upon organisms found about the bed of the pond, a delicately ad­ justed balance is readily apparent. During their first feeding stages, the baby fish i" this lake have available abundant forage in the form of plankton. In sharp contrast to areas of water where native species of fish life still hoW sway are many of our larger streams and lakes, constituting Pennsylvania's majoi' bass and wall-eyed pike waters. Here the balance which existed in primitive times has been upset by introduction of two ot more species of carnivorous fishes and coifl' petition for the existing supply of natural forage in the form of minnows, crayfish helgramites, stone catfish and the young of other species is correspondingly keen. We may list as a few of the better known fish' ing areas in this classification, the Uppe* Delaware River, the North Branch of the These Baby Yellow Perch Provide Good Game Fish Forage Susquehanna River, the lower Susquehanna the Juniata, Lake Wallenpaupack and the TVTODERN fishing conditions on virtually to counteract any adverse effect it might Raystown Branch of the Juniata. And yeti •*• all waters in Pennsylvania serve to have on the supply of forage fishes. First in spite of the fact that at least two vor»' stress, perhaps more strongly than any to spawn is the pickerel, usually with the cious species of fish life, the black bass and break-up of the ice in March. Nature in her other factor, the need for bringing our wall-eyed pike, are competing for the avail' marvelous plan of things ordained that the streams and lakes to the utmost productiv­ able supply of live forage, these fishing ity of which they are capable. Their total pickerel, owing to the greed with which it destroys other species, should not be high­ waters each year provide the cream of out mileage drastically curtailed by pollution, game fishing in Pennsylvania. Two factors these waters each year are being subjected ly prolific, and an adult female usually de­ posits only from about 1200 to 1500 eggs. are outstanding in making this possible' to increasingly intensive fishing by over First, wise laws, prohibiting spearing and 260,000 licensed fishermen. In particular, By the time the baby pickerel have attained growth sufficient for taking other fish, the netting of favorite food fishes such as the warm water lakes, ponds and streams of­ sucker, are now in effect. The young o' fer a fertile field for stocking with various yellow perch young are available in vast species of fish life to the benefit of such waters. A typical pickerel pond in northwestern Pennsylvania should serve as a first-rate illustration of the interdependence of spe­ cies of fish life, one upon the other. Be­ cause, in this region of the state, the na­ tive chain pickerel ranks as a favorite game fish, many of these smaller lakes and ponds have not been stocked with other carnivor- out species of fishes such as the black bass. As forage fishes in this pond, we may list the golden shiner and the young of the yel­ low perch. Other typical native species in a body of water unspoiled by indiscriminate stocking are the bullhead catfish, the com­ mon sunfish or "pumpkinseed" and in some instances the sucker. To compete with the voracious pickerel in the pond we have, of course, the adult yellow perch, but the vast numbers of young produced each year by this species serves Stocking Brook Trout PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 11

his species, as well as the offspring of the the year, Sundays excepted, fish of one spe­ "Produced carp, annually augment the sup- cies or another may be legally caught. A P'y of live forage available. Second, and mild winter day, for instance, makes for Just as important, is the policy of the Fish good sucker fishing and for this type of the ^ornmission under which not only game angling sport the fisherman usually is with­ hshes such as the bass, wall-eyed pike and in range of waters yielding good sucker Tout are planted, but stocking of other catches. Warm water ponds, streams and species essential to a proper balance of life lakes afford fine fishing for bluegill sunfish, *n such waters is carried on. It is increas- yellow perch and catfish during May and *ngly apparent that more abundant forage June. Although the peak of the trout sea­ *n stream or lake is the right answer to son usually comes during these months, better fishing for game fish such as the many of our city fishermen are not within °ass, smallmouth and largemouth. easy traveling distance of good trout wat­ . Let us review the 1935 stocking report, ers, and they are able to curb their fishing desires by fly-fishing for sunfish and fall- Usofar as it pertains to fishes not under fish on nearby warm water streams. Vari­ "*e protected game fish classification. This ety in fishing is also advantageous to the Phase of the Board's work has proved one bass fisherman, who, when he finds the °* the outstanding factors in bringing bet- moody bass not responsive to his offerings, •*r warm water fishing to Pennsylvania may turn to fishing for other species abund­ luring recent years. We find, reviewing the e ant in the same water. f Port, that 1,081,038 bluegill sunfish rang- ng in size from one to 4 inches were dis­ Balanced stocking of Lake Wallenpau- tributed. Other species stocked included pack, in Pike and Wayne counties, was a 414,437 bullhead catfish, 2 to 10 inches in vital factor in its development as a superb length, 475,161,212 yellow perch, fry to fishing area. When first formed, this big adult, 14,130 suckers, averaging 5 inches, body of water was stocked heavily with and 1,159,835 minnows from one to 4 inches perch, minnows, catfish and other native «i length. We might also list 940,500 bull- species. Later, when the bass, wall-eyed pike r°g tadpoles, from one to 4 inches in and pickerel were introduced, these vora­ ength, in this grouping, for adult frogs on Middletown Sportsmen Stocking Bass in the cious species had available a vast natural niany of our waters furnish, through their Susquehanna food supply. Today the lake ranks as one of young additional valuable game fish for­ the outstanding bass and wall-eyed pike age. Prior to this time, we have called atten­ fishing grounds in Pennsylvania. A sim­ ilar plan has been followed in the stocking While, through this program of balanced tion to the importance of intensive fishing in controlling the number of bass in our of Pymatuning Reservoir in northwestern t°cking, better conditions for the growth Pennsylvania, which will be opened to fish­ and development of fish life have been at- streams. Some confirmation for this theory ing by the public this year. seems to rest in the fact that during the ained in many major fishing waters of As a keystone upon which must rest a ennsylvania, there is another important past seven years, when conditions for the increase of bass in our waters have been real portion of the success in our drive for eature not to be overlooked. We have to- better fishing, balanced stocking must be . ay thousands of fishermen who like noth- ideal, heavy catches of these game fish ln have been made; yet each year, numbers of ranked an outstanding factor in the pro­ S better than to spend a quiet day on a gram. .Ucker stream. Other large groups like fish- these game fish equal to or even surpassing nS for panfish such as the sunfish, yellow that of the year before have been observed Perch, and catfish; still others derive a and taken in most bass waters. Perhaps no ADAMS COUNTY GROUPS great deal of pleasure in fishing for carp bass stream in Pennsylvania is subjected r annually to more intensive fishing than is STAGE JOINT BANQUET ells. Fresh water fishing in its many dif- erent forms is indulged in perhaps more the picturesque Perkiomen Creek in south­ Gathered at the Eagle Hotel in Gettys­ trongly in Pennsylvania than in any other eastern Pennsylvania. Located in one of the burg on the evening of December 18, mem­ ate. Obviously, it is just as important to most populous sections of the state, it at­ bers of the Adams County Fish and Game oM?V^e ^ood fishing for one group as an­ tracts thousands of fishermen. Last year it Association and the McSherrystown Game ther and stocking with the various species produced, our records indicate, bass catches and Fish Protective Association staged the acc in a class with those made on the North omplishes this. first joint banquet the two associations Branch of the Susquehanna River, water Distribution of minnows to our warm ever held. Attending the dinner were 165 area and length of the two streams con­ , ater streams and lakes is today regarded sportsmen. The proper yuletide effect was sidered. We may attribute the rise of the y the Fish Commission as one of the most secured by the appearance of "Santa Claus" Setl Perkiomen as bass producer in recent years tial features of its work. In many re- in the person of B. P. Topper, president of g to the wise policy of balanced stocking be­ Pects, this method of increasing the forage the McSherrystown association. Judge W. ing followed. Not only are smallmouth bass *s just as essential to good game fishing C. Sheely, of Gettysburg, presided as toast- and largemouth bass from two to five ,. the stocking of game species such as the master. la inches in length released each year in this ck bass. Good sportsmanship while afield and stream, but other species have also been 6 ave astream and the need for whole-hearted co­ th <• ^ little reason to question the fact heavily stocked in the Perkiomen and its vast quantities of minnows and other operation of the sportsmen in furthering for;a tributaries. ?e fishes were present in Pennsylvania the cause of conservation were keynotes ti-a,?rs wilen the smallmouthed bass was in­ In conjunction with the heavy fishing to stressed at the dinner by F. Mark Bream, duced in 1863. Having available this tre- which our bass waters are being subjected, president of the Adams County association, ?hend °us supply of natural food, the bass the policy of stocking minnows dovetails and R. C. Anderson, game protector in •greaseinerei d in number rapidly, until, during nicely. With thousands of our fishermen re­ Adams County; State Senator John S. Rice th6 eai]ly '8°'s> their abundance threatened sorting more and more to the exclusive use of Gettysburg paid a tribute to the unsel­ j. existence of other species. Inevitably, of artificial lures in bass fishing, this aug­ fish efforts of organized sportsmen through­ Ure menting of the food supply is increasingly v , stepped in when these voracious in- out the state in backing progressive con­ of f6rs became too numerous for the supply effective. Strict enforcement of laws limit­ servation of fish and game. Pennsylvania's ist available. Then, the bass, cannibal- ing the taking of bait fish from the inland bass program was discussed by the editor, waters has also aided in insuring an in­ y e by nature, turned upon their own along with the need for the individual angler n creased supply of game fish forage. fa^ &- As nearly as we are able to tell, this setting true sportsman limits to the size ^.governed the so-called bass cycles, From the fisherman's viewpoint, there is of the creel he takes while astream. fish • seemed to ran from 7 to 9 years, the a great deal to commend in balanced stock­ Enjoyable entertainment was furnished by ra .^creasing to a certain point and then ing of fish from the hatcheries. Pennsyl­ CCC camp enrollees stationed at Camp M.P. PWly thinning again in number. vania fish laws permit that on every day of 2 on the battlefield. 12 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

The Pleasant Mount Hatchery eral rule, there would be more fingerling program. Few trout are being grown to trout in the ponds during the fall than the legal size, although many trout eggs are in­ (Continued from page 3) hatchery had capacity to grow to legal size. cubated and large numbers of small trout ply of this type of water was assured, per­ The surplus was transferred to Pleasant distributed each year. manent development of the warm water fish Mount and grown to the required length. Since the storage reservoir at the source ponds was started. The location of the When a surplus was not available at Cor­ of the stream flowing through the property hatching building was changed to the pres­ ry, fingerling fish were purchased from has been acquired, assuring an abundance ent site, which is approximately 2,000 feet commercial hatcheries for this purpose. of creek water at all times, this hatchery down the creek from the former location. In the meantime, successful methods for has been outstanding as a warm water fish This was accomplished to provide the water treating limestone water for trout culture cultural station. A great deal of research pressure necessary for the operation of were discovered. This discovery proved that in this phase of the work has been carried hatching batteries used in incubating eggs when properly treated, water of this type to conclusion at Pleasant Mount and, in ad­ of warm water fish. It was also found that, was superior for trout to freestone water, dition to producing large numbers of warW by re-locating the hatching building, the because the fish can be grown more rapidly water fish for stocking of lakes, ponds and necessity of raising the water of the spring and economically than in freestone water. larger streams, the hatchery has contrib­ was eliminated and the flow of water from Another advantage rests in the fact that uted much to the knowledge of the worfc this source was augmented. It also permit­ numerous locations having large dependable now being used to great advantage at the ted the use of water from several other sources of limestone water are available, other hatcheries. small springs for the trout work. whereas few sites having freestone springs For a number of years, the bass work fof During development and construction of of ample flow are to be found. the entire state was carried on at Pleasant the hatchery, electric power became avail­ able. This furnished an economical and de­ pendable method for pumping the well, and is being used to supplement the spring flow at the present time for hatching trout eggs i and holding the small trout. Until a few years ago, the Board of Fish Commissioners looked with disfavor upon the building of trout hatcheries where the water supply was obtained from limestone springs. This was because difficulty was be­ ing had in hatching the eggs and growing the fish in waters having this character­ istic. The policy of stocking trout also was changed from that of planting fry and fingerlings to one in which only trout of legal size or over were stocked. Since the reconstruction of Pleasant Mount Hatch­ ery, water of fine quality has always been available in sufficient amount to hatch trout eggs and hold small trout until the month of June. From that time until autumn, the flow is insufficient to hold a worthwhile number, but by the use of creek water, trout, one year old or over, could be held with a fair degree of success, depending entirely upon weather conditions. When the season was wet and nights were cool, the trout were held and grown very success­ Daphnia Pond Units at Pleasant Mount fully. However, during years when the sea­ son was hot and dry, the loss of trout was Following this discovery, the output of Mount. This was during the period whei> heavy. This was not due to any lack of trout at the Bellefonte Hatchery in Centre the work was in its infancy and at a time water, but to the extremely high tempera­ County more than doubled. The Spring when many noted fish culturists contended ture of the water prevailing during these Creek fish farm, adjacent to the Bellefonte that black bass could never be grown « periods. hatchery, was later developed, creating a satisfactory numbers under artificial cotf' When the program of stocking only legal plant capable of growing more trout than ditions. The strides made in bass cultur* size trout was first adopted, the demand for all the other state hatcheries combined. through the research period consisted of de­ the fish far exceeded the supply and every Reynoldsdale and Huntsdale trout hatcheries veloping methods for growing daphnia' available resource was employed to meet were also developed, and a small section of upon which the young bass feed, under arti­ the demand. The Corry hatchery in Erie the Tionesta Hatchery was set aside for ficial control. The work progressed froi* County was the major trout unit at that trout. the first culture, consisting of a few ounces 1 time. In producing the trout crop, as a gen- of these organisms a day which were grow* Three years ago the trout distribution in a wash tub, to the development of J program was changed to include the stock­ somewhat larger supply, grown in a tan'i ing of fingerling trout as well as legal size under glass. At the present time, the daph' fish. This program consumed the surplus of nia culture has developed into a branch oj fingerlings that heretofore had been avail­ the bass work, where, at the height of thc able at the Corry Hatchery for Pleasant season, three bushels of these tiny orgafl' Mount Hatchery, and at the present time, isms are produced daily. trout are being grown more successfully and more economically at the other hatch­ Later, feeding of minnows to the fingeJ" eries. Meanwhile, the demand for warm ling bass, which had always been believe^ water fish for stocking lakes, ponds and necessary, was discontinued and artifici^ streams has increased steadily. Pleasant food substituted. Ponds of various sizeS> Mount, over a period of years, has proved shapes and types were constructed and use^ itself to be very well adapted for this kind to determine which was most practical' of fish cultural work, and at the present Strains of domesticated bass have bee' time the pond space at the hatchery is chief­ built up, educated to feed on artificial food* ly devoted to this phase of our hatchery New Unit of Bass Nursery Ponds and these can now be depended upon to pr"' PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 13

^Uce an egg crop year after year. While The brood perch are now being held in can now be grown without this form of Brood bass secured from wild waters were a separate unit at the hatchery, and have food, the minnow crop from No. 3 reservoir formerly used for this purpose, results ob­ been increased in number from year to will be stocked each year in the public wat­ tained were always uncertain under this year until, at the present time, their an­ ers. Reservoirs No. 4 and No. 5 have been system. nual egg production amounts to 100 bushels. used as public fishing projects. Based on knowledge gained in the bass These eggs are sent to the different hatch­ A large number of new dams have been work and success attained in this line of eries that have facilities for hatching them. created throughout the state under the pro­ hsh culture, a number of bass units at other During the days when canals were used gram of the Public Works Administration. hatcheries have been developed during the for transportation purposes, the Delaware Stocking of such areas with suitable spe­ Past two years. Prior to this time, it was and Hudson Canal Company constructed a cies of fish life is an important part of the *elt that not enough was known about the series of impounding reservoirs on tribu­ work of the Board, and because of the in­ "ass work to warrant spending of the tary streams of the Lackawaxen River. In creased demand for warm water fish, the sPortsmen's money in bass raising ponds at August, 1917, five of these storage dams two reservoirs now set aside at Pleasant °ther hatcheries. were purchased by the Fish Commission. Mount as fishing areas will be used as part Another outstanding accomplishment at All are within a radius of eight miles of of the hatchery. Their addition to present the Pleasant Mount Hatchery was the de­ the hatchery. The one at the headwaters of fish cultural areas will bring the total of velopment of a selectively bred strain of the stream that flows through the Pleasant water now under cultivation at Pleasant yellow perch, noted for their large size Mount property is used as a water supply Mount to over 500 acres. Species of fish when matured. This strain of fish is show- for the hatchery and for the yellow perch now being grown or stocked at the hatch­ lnS marvelous results in the stocking pro­ work. No. 2 reservoir is used for culture ery are brook trout, brown trout, rainbow gram. Anglers complained years ago about of bass, sunfish and catfish. In addition to trout, large-mouthed bass, small-mouthed the small perch that were being caught. the main reservoir, a series of ponds, paral­ bass, sunfish, yellow perch, catfish, suckers, minnows, pickerel and frogs. .nee our waters have been liberally stocked leling it, have been constructed and are with this large strain of perch, many com- used for daphnia culture and fish growing The hatchery is under the supervision of Jnents are being received from fishermen purposes. No. 3 reservoir heretofore had F. K. Reidel, and visitors are always wel­ °y the Board concerning the huge size of been set aside for minnow culture, the crop come at Pleasant Mount from 7:30 A. M. yellow perch now being taken. being used in feeding the bass. Since bass to 5 P. M., every day in the week.

Trout Stream Insects BIG BASS "THE ANGLER" (Continued from page 8) One of the largest bass to be reported f^de of old bridges, so that the larvae, when from Montgomery County waters this year "atched, fall directly into the water. was taken by Joe Eckert of Spring City. "i- dressing the artificial nymph, the frow­ Fishing plug in Mill Pond near Spring City, sy effect can be obtained by making the bo he caught a large-mouth bass measuring 21 dy of fur dubbing and picking out fibres inches in length and weighing 5 pounds 2 °n the sides; this will give the effect of the v ounces, according to Warden Harry Cole of ? " appendages. The tail is probably best Norristown. ltt}itated by a hackle feather, the fibres •pPped on either side of the stem to the aesired shape. FISHING LICENSES REVOKED The Fish Fly BY BOARD Since I have given the history of Chau- «odea lunetus, the fish fly in the October, Under the provisions of the Act of May *936, issue of the ANGLER, I will give ere 2, 1925, and the amendments thereto, the . with a more detailed description of this Board of Fish Commissioners at one of its nsect for the benefit of those anglers who e regular meetings, revoked the fishing li­ " their own flies. censes of the following persons until after , -Nymph: dark fuscous with black or dark ea November 1, 1937, and no licenses are to d and thorax; whitish lateral gill ap- be issued to such persons until after that Pendages, one-fourth inch long—eight on time. The Board recently received the following ach side of the body. In appearance resem- communication from Warden W. E. Briggs, es Revo­ . the helgramite and is about one-half of Erie: «s length. cation Address No. Name (Penna.) "It might be of interest to the Board to Adult: length to tip of wings, one and know that on Presque Isle Bay at Erie, Pa., • ^"fourth to one and three-eighths of an 7 Clarence Barnes Mercer c there is a fishing boat, which I think is , h; legs brownish; antennae black; body, 8 Herman Vincent Towanda quite appropriately named after your of­ °wnish black; wings, brownish black, tra- 9 Willard Tompkins Waterville ficial magazine, THE ANGLER. The crew ersed with white bands. . 10 Wayne Vanderpool Towanda is comprised of Capt. C. M. Lynch and First My dressing for the artificial fly is as fol- 11 Joseph Johnson Towanda Mate Mrs. C. M. Lynch. The main vocation *S: body, brown wool dubbing; wings, 12 Charles Vanderpool Towanda of this crew is angling for game fish on ?. ey mottled turkey; hackle, ginger; rib- 13 William Vanderpool Towanda Presque Isle Bay. However, Captain Lynch nS> yellow silk. This fly will catch fish re- 14 Delbert Vanderpool Towanda also fills a mighty important position with »ardless of the size hook it is tied on. Try 15 Hugh McDiwell Port Allegany the engineering department of the City of ' Some time and be convinced. 16 Walter Carpenter Port Allegany Erie. 17 Clayton Ostrander Port Allegany "The enclosed snapshot of the mate with 18 Roy Ostrander Port Allegany her 30-pound muskie is one of the 22 that ANNUAL DINNER 19 Leslie Colegrove Port Allegany Warden Hahn and the writer accounted for 20 William Pursley Weikert taken from the Bay on October 27, 1936. (j nn°uncement has been made by Presi- 21 Charles Hummel Penns Creek "As the mate has aptly quoted, 'What is e 22 Robert Sampsell Penns Creek d. nt Edgar W. Nicholson that the annual rarer than a day in June, is any day in the Q ^er °f the Pennsylvania State Fish and 23 Charles Feaster Millmont later part of September or October on board (;.on6 Protective Association will be held at 24 W. H. Dukeman— THE ANGLER with a well filled lunch at o'clock on the evening of February 10 4109 Logan Ave Altoona basket and in pursuit of the fighting the penn Athletic Club in Philadelphia. 25 Harry Thomas.. .R. D. No. 3, Curtin muskie'." 14 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS FINANCIAL STATEMENT, 1936

'TpHE first three months of 1936 did not present a very promising FISH FUND picture, both from the viewpoint of the fishermen and the Fish CALENDAR YEAR 1936 Commission. During this time we experienced one of the most Balance on hand severe winters in our history. Many ponds and smaller streams Jan- 1> 1936.. $348,375.41 were frozen almost solid, which resulted in the loss of many thou- RECEIPTS sands of fish and also shut off the food supply. Fish Pines $ 11,572.70 Commercial Hatchery By the time the winter broke up and the spring thaws set in, Licenses 875.00 ,.,. , . TT ... Motor Boat Fines.. 35.00 2 conditions took on a more encouraging aspect. However, this was Lake Erie Ljcenses 989 00 not of long duration, as on March 17th we experienced in many Non-Resident Fish- parts of our state the worst floods in our history. Many of our interest 8188.43 streams were so badly scoured out that a great portion of the fish Motor Boat ,.. . , , .. . , „ Licenses 6,334.50 life was carried away, and the food as well. Resident Fishing Licenses 398,048.25 Many fishermen predicted there would be little or no fishing dur- Tourists Fishing ing the year. Up to June 1st, the license sales were $30,000 less CmkSSLmim " 2'369'50 than for the corresponding period of 1935, yet I am most happy Restocking in that I am able to report during the latter part of the year the Sale ^Publications 226818 sportsmen felt the urge so strongly to go fishing, that our license Eel Chute Licenses 180.00 , , . ,, . lriorv , ,. , Miscellaneous 151.96 $449,227.12 sale was greater than in any year since 1930, or second highest of all time. Total Funds Available $797,602.53 The severe March flood caused some very heavy damages, both EXPENDITURES in fish and property. Most of the property damage has been re- Administration ... $ 37,125.30 ., . ,, , , , . , . . „ „ ., (.Salaries, Wages, Traveling paired, and the hatcheries again are operating under full capacity. Expenses, Etc.) A IMXI Mo n™ 4. • • • «. a J J Protection 97,453.08 A little OVer $23,000 Was Spent m repairing the flOOd damages, (Salaries and Expenses of Wardens) & while approximately 75,000 large trout and over a million finger- isScmg, Prtpaga^'^'^ .. ! i . , i n i ± Distributing Fish') lings were lost in these flood waters. New Construction _..'., ,., •, . ,, „ , , and Repairs 31,444.56 Despite the extra expenditures due to the flood damage, we are By Department of happy to submit the full statement of our receipts and expenditures Revenue ...... 8,433.63 (Printing, Fishing Licenses, 5< c-) during the year, and that we were still able to close the year with • B state De"'rf* an increased balance on hand is most gratifying. The Board will ment 4,495.00 ,,,,„., T . ., j j. j. ,! ., Insurance 1,955.50 be glad to furnish a more detailed account of any of the items Publicity and shown on this statement at the request of any sportsman. Research 10,483.84 Boat Patrol Respectfully submitted, PulchL^oTLmd' and Waters 544.79 $443,923.09 ft Balance January 1, 1937.. .$353,679.44 / f 7*5' " P^D Committment: /j\ J (A nffjL .— Operating Expense Five Months at .is \^/ ^\^~ ~~—> $40,000 a month $200,000.0" (Pending Receipts from 1937 Licenses) BA LANCE $ 15 3,67 9. 4* FINDS FISHING HERE Mexico, and Nogal Lake in New Mexico, good luck with doves and quail, the blue and no luck. The only water near here, of quail, about twice the size of your partridge* AT TOP OF LIST course, is the Rio Grande River, about a which they also have here, and still believe That Pennsylvania today offers fishing of hundred feet wide and from one inch to that Pennsylvania has the best hunting, aS the best is indicated by the following in­ 3 feet deep and always muddy; all they I have hunted in many states, and so faf teresting letter received from Captain S. catch in it is catfish and small at that, so Alaska is first with Pennsylvania second H. Hunsicker of the U. S. Army, now sta­ am waiting for next season and head for for game and also fishing, that is, fresh tioned in Texas, by J. Warren Zeigler, sec­ the Gulf for salt water fishing. water fish, although I found excellent basS retary of the Montgomery County Fish, "Been out deer hunting several times, but fishing in Michigan and Wisconsin also m Game and Forestry Association. His letter have not seen a live one yet; next season Maine and good trout fishing in Upper Cal' follows in part: will go to the Sacramento Mountains in New ifornia. I know this sounds like a travel' "The fishing in this country is not so Mexico, license $25.25, and they tell me one ogue, but have fished in many states and hot, tried Elephant Butte Dam in New can get a deer for sure there. Have had Pennsylvania tops them all." 1 •

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 15

ground. It recommended that the High­ way Department and the Department of Forests and Waters, in its CCC road build­ ing program, give consideration to the ad­ verse effect that the drainage system of the modern road has in aggravating floods, droughts, erosion and silting of stream beds. It was pointed out that cooperation of the Highway Department in modifying their drainage system, whose sole consideration at present is to speed the water away into the streams as fast as possible, could be a considerable factor in modifying floods and droughts, especially if highway fills were utilized for impounding thousands of small bodies of water in suitable locations throughout the state. The cost of making these fills serving a dual purpose would be only a fraction of the cost of building such dams, and, if arranged with controlled outlets so that the levels would rise during periods of heavy rainfall and drop grad­ ually during dry periods, they would be an exceedingly important factor in level­ ing out the flow of the streams.

The committee adopted the general prin­ ar Silvia Faust of Middletown With String of Bass P Caught in Nehaminy Creek at Croydon. ciple that all uses of water are inter-re­ Taken by Her Father in Susquehanna River Largest Fish 22 Pounds, Taken by Wilmer Kline, Pennsburg lated, and that the prosecution of one in­ Near Middletown. Largest Bass 3!/2 Pounds dividual phase by any agency should take into consideration other functions of water. JERRY SAYS 1ZAAK WALTON LEAGUE The subject of floods, droughts, water sup­ MAPS STREAM PROGRAM ply, recreational use, hydro-electric power, 3J navigation, drainage and pollution, and all (Continued from Page 7) e best bucks an' does fer size I seen in a long t, stream conservation committee of other uses of water are closely inter-re­ t Pennsylvania Division of the Izaak Wal- lated, and the prosecution of one individual time. 'Course, a lot o' squirrels froze an' n League met in the Berkshire Hotel, use or control project without regard for so did rabbits an' quail, but with the good fading, Friday, December 18th, to outline common sense back o' the Game Commis­ e the others has resulted in great and un- program that the League would pur- needed losses in public values. The commit­ sion's plans fer buildin' up the game sup­ e in the coming session of the Legisla­ ture. tee strongly stressed the need for coordin­ ply again, we'll be havin' huntin' thet's first- rate. p •'•hey approved the re-introduction of the ation of all projects, both state and Feder­ We been buildin' shelters fer feedin', an' ure Streams Bill, introduced by Senator al, dealing with either control or uses of believe me, there ain't gonner be much game nornpscm at the last session, and the bill water. woduced in the same session by Senator starve this winter ef we kin help it. Us Uth, which provided penalties for whole- fellers thet like our huntin' in this neck .e fish killings by pollution commensurate o' the woods is back o' the Game Commis­ . vf1 those imposed by the Fish Code on sion a hunderd percent because they give aividual fishermen. It also approved the us fair huntin' after the worst winter on game we ever had. °riergan Bill, the bill in the Federal Con- Jf®! which deals with the subject of water , n on a nation-wide basis by water- us, and eliminates any inequalities that gnt result by reason of lack of uniformity SUCKER FISHERMEN SCORE s n0 -_ tate legislation governing the purity of BIG CATCHES w «'aters- l4 Th ne committee recognized the serious Some of the greatest sucker fishing in oo nace to public health and welfare from years was provided during December at the comparatively new menace resulting juncture of Tuscarora Creek and the Juni­ 4> w * ^e disposal of sewage and industrial ata River at Port Royal, Juniata County, ac­ ^tes through deep wells into underground cording to a report received from Warden isl ercourses- It recommended that the leg- C. V. Long of East Waterford. Ten days ae ative committee of the State Division of fishing (December 10 to 19 inclusive) ee ' ' to specific safeguards in the new bills yielded, conservatively, 500 suckers rang­ 5 so tect the public from such insidious ing to three pounds in weight. 68 wa af in? °^ ter contamination. Four of the best catches reported were 1 JJJ f committee went on record as oppos- 1( those made by Brade Keppner, William & de ' * general> the indiscriminate projects Wagner, Harry Blystone and Earl Messmer, sS th gne^ to exterminate the mosquito by Jr., all of Port Royal. Keppner and Wag­ iJ' wit}, a'nage ana burning of marsh lands, u ner each caught 25 suckers in one day's i' ^ , tter disregard for biological values of ''' so- ^ an<* tne important part that such fishing, Blystone landed 21, the largest weighing 3 pounds, and Messmer caught ^ dra- waste land plays in Nature's A Perkiomen Bass, )6'/2 inches, Taken by Peter nage system, both surface and under- Reitnauer of Boyertown 17, the largest 2% pounds in weight. 16 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

A HERE HD THERE 'N ANGLERDOM

Dr. E. L. Young and George C. Ramsey was startled when he received a vicious pike) 30 inches long and weighing 6 pounds, of New Castle are ardent supporters of strike. He called to his father, when he one salmon 23 inches long, weighing & French Creek, famous northwestern Penn­ hooked the fish, who urged him to run back pounds, and another salmon 17 inches longt sylvania bass stream, as one of the best from the water with his rod. Result, he weight 2 pounds. Was I happy, you can be* streams in the state. Fishing near Cam­ landed an 18-inch largemouth bass weigh­ I was. I now feel I had maybe a right f bridge on July 24, according to Warden ing 3 pounds. Sweet Arrow produced fine try for a prize with the big one, but it's to" George Keppler, they made a combined bass fishing last year, according to Warden late. Anyway, they were dandy eating." catch of 16 fine bass. Anthony Lech, who reported this catch. According to word received from Dr. fl' A great deal of interest was aroused Deer Lake at Pine Dale in Schuylkill E. Henry, of Martinsburg, the high school among fishermen in the western part of the County also yielded some fine bass catches, there recently organized a Junior Wild Life state by the Baldwin and Welcomer fishing Lech reports. Joseph Rice of Pine Dale had League as part of its curriculum. A mos* contest last summer, writes Keppler. Prize the distinction of entering the "two on one" commendable move, and may the ventur* entries into the contest included bass and club and scored the only double on bass bring success. wall-eyed pike from Conneaut Lake and made in the county, Lech says. He landed French Creek. Paul Weston entered a wall­ two 17-inch smallmouth bass at the same eye from Conneaut Lake that measured 26 time. On the same day, he caught a mag­ Autumn fishing on Lake Gordon, famous inches in length and weighed 5 pounds 13 nificent 21-inch smallmouth bass. large-mouth bass water in Bedford County, ounces. It was taken on a mouse. A 6 pound produced some fine catches of bass, accord' 7 ounce wall-eyed pike was taken in French When the fish aren't striking in one flat ing to Warden Harry Moore of Hopewell' Two largemouth bass right in the top flight Creek on a spinner and night crawler com­ or pool on a game fish stream, it pays to c bination by Ted Finney of Meadville. This give another section a try. At least, that's of fish in this division were taken at th fish was 28 inches in length. Another big the way D. W. (Danny) Herb, 70 year lake. Albert Russell of Johnstown caught I wall-eye measuring 31 inches and weighing old veteran of Valley View, looks at it. He largemouth 22% inches in length and li 8 pounds 15 ounces was caught in French writes: inches in girth, having a weight of 5 pounds Creek on a plug by Lamar Majeronni of "Well, I was over to my camp on Tus- 12 ounces. He also landed an 18-inch wall' Cambridge Springs. Harry Benninhoff of carora Creek in Juniata County during the eyed pike. Both fish were taken on plug' Meadville caught a 20% inch largemouth week of September 28, and fished all week Plug fishing also yielded a giant large' bass in Conneaut Lake while using a troll­ without very much success. Thought I mouth to the season creel of Lester Leslie ing combination that weighed 5 pounds 4 would try one more place going home on of Somerset. He landed a fish measuring 23 ounces. October 5, a stretch of deep water in the inches in length and having the same weigh' creek near Port Royal. I did, and in an as the bass caught by Russell. Lehigh County trout streams during the hour's time I caught one salmon (wall-eyed past year produced some of the outstanding Harry White, secretary of the Towanda brown trout catches in the state, a report Rod and Gun Club, is firmly convinced aftef from Warden Joel Young of Fullerton indi­ an experience this summer that watersnakeS cates. Early in the season, some big brown­ take their share of fish and that share's plenty, from our streams annually. He was ies were taken, as previously mentioned. 1 John Werst of Alburtis scored with a 26- assisting in stocking a consignment of fisl inch brown having a girth of 11 inches and from Pleasant Mount Hatchery when afi weighing 5 pounds, on April 18, in the Lit­ assistant killed a watersnake. Noticing » tle Lehigh Creek. A 23-inch brown trout bulge in the snake he cut it open and found was caught by Jacob Leibensperger of Al- in it a 4-inch rock bass. lentown in the Dorney Park boating pond. It weighed 3 pounds 12 ounces. Oliver Pauley, of Windber, Cambria County, caught an exceptionally heavj' largemouth bass in Lake Gordon last sea' Cumberland County trout waters pro­ e duced some great trout catches in 1936, son, according to Warden Harry Moore. Th according to Warden George James of Carl­ bass measured 19 inches in length and ha^ isle. Eugene Hopple of Carlisle caught a a girth of 14 inches. No weight was givei'- brownie 20 inches in length in Green Spring. "Bim" Glass of Carlisle landed a 20-inch brownie in Letort Spring. Carl Rhodes, BIG TROUT DIES Carlisle, scored with a 19-inch brown trout Assistant Director Forester S. W. Chubt1 from th* Yellow Breeches. A 15-inch brook reported recently that he had found a 22^' trout was taken in Green Spring by Russell inch brown trout weighing five pounds, Sanderson, Carlisle. Charles Grove, of Carl­ dead in the pool at Hairy John Park. isle, caught a 20-inch brownie in Green The fish gave no evidence of having beei1 Spring, and Sam Bretz, of Carlisle, landed killed or dying of poisoning and it is be' a 16%-inch brownie in the Yellow Breeches. lieved that death resulted from inability to spawn. While fishing with his father at Sweet When the pool was cleaned two year* Arrow Lake in Schuylkill County for perch, Ralph Richard, Emaus R. D. I, with Two 15-Inch ago the trout measured 15 inches, showing Bobby Sempsey, 10 years old, of Pottsville, Bass From the Perkiomen Creelc a growth of 7% inches in that period.

_*. NEW YEAR RESOLUTION for SPORTSMEN

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"This Year I Will Take a Sportsman's Creel of Fish." Sec. 562, P. L &R. U. S. POSTAGE PAID Harrisburg, Pa. Permit No. 270

PUBLICITY AND RESEARCH - BOAT PATROL - PURCHASE OF LAND & WATERS